Overview & Reviews

A relative newcomer to the American marketplace, Hyundai is a Korean automaker with a product line that has improved greatly over the past decade. Hyundai cars and SUVs provide a high level of content for an affordable price, and are currently backed by one of the industry's longest warranties.

In 1947, Chung Ju Yung founded the Hyundai Civil Engineering Company. Mere months later, the outfit was bombed in the Korean War. However, the company regained its footing to distinguish itself as one of Korea's leading construction enterprises during the 1950s.

By the late 1960s, Chung had turned his attention to the automobile industry. The Korean government at that time believed that it made more sense to import vehicles than produce them domestically, and had made its opinion known. Still, Chung opted to follow his own convictions, and in 1967, he founded the Hyundai Motor Company.

The company quickly established an alliance with one of the industry's oldest automakers, signing a two-year contract with Ford in 1968 to share assembly technology. Hyundai's first car, the Cortina, was created from that partnership. The manufacturer's first car to be designed and built in Korea was the compact Pony (although the car was based on Japanese technology courtesy of Mitsubishi). The vehicle made its debut in 1974, and the following year Hyundai began exporting it to overseas markets.

Hyundai entered the U.S. market in 1986 with the introduction of its subcompact Excel. The car was an immediate hit, with its supreme affordability being a primary selling point. More than 100,000 Excels were sold stateside in the first seven months. By 1988, Hyundai had begun to produce cars using its own technology. The midsize Sonata was the first fruit borne of this endeavor.

Unfortunately, Hyundai's nascent image was soon tarnished by the poor durability and reliability of its vehicles. Sales tanked. However, rather than abandon the American market in the '90s, Hyundai chose to invest heavily in new product designs and improvements in overall quality and reliability. In 1998, Hyundai also purchased Kia, another Korean automaker, to expand its business and economies of scale.

It all started to pay off by the start of the new millennium, with the 2001 Elantra in particular showing massive improvements in overall quality, reliability and performance. Other models followed suit and the desirability of Hyundai cars increased sharply. Providing an extraordinarily long warranty period didn't hurt either.

Today's lineup is indicative of Hyundai's complete turnaround. Hyundai has a vehicle for nearly every segment, including the economical Accent subcompact, the popular Elantra compact, the midsize Sonata sedan (also available as a hybrid), sporty Genesis and Veloster coupes and a couple of stylish SUVs. Hyundai has also expanded into the entry-level and premium-level luxury sedan markets with its Genesis and Equus sedans. Having gone from being the butt of late-night TV jokes in the 1980s to a well-respected manufacturer of quality vehicles, Hyundai has created a very inspiring rags-to-riches story.

User Reviews:

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  Excellent Little SUV - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By smilinshy12 - May 7 - 5:23 pm

  With two little children, I needed a midsized suv that made me and my children feel safe. This is a cute, heavy duty truck that drives like a car. The interior is great and I dont take a beating at the pump!!

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  great Sante Fe!!! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By paifica - May 7 - 10:00 am

  I love my vehicle, I have 12,500 miles on it and I drives great, I really beat it up in the winter i drve up to tahoe from sf 12 times and it still runs like a charm.

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  Hyundai Pride of Ownership - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Paul J. Solis - May 7 - 10:00 am

  We own 3 Hyundais in my family, 2 of which are XG300Ls. Both my father and I are thrilled with the quality of this automobile. . We fell in love with this car on looks at first. Still to this day, we have several people approaching us to ask us about the car. Friends and strangers alike give good long stares at our vehicles. One of my purchasing considerations,was that the design had to be long lasting. Mission accomplished. Surely enough the new engine is more generous and has a much better take off from a stop. I am 25 years old and do find the ride a bit soft, but the quality and quietness of the ride is a better trade off.

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  Fantastic Car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Farm - May 7 - 10:00 am

  This car would be great even if it cost more than it does. Driving it feels like you paid way too much, then you get to look at the price and congratulate yourself.

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  Second Sonata - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By dasnubbers - May 7 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased a new 2002 Sonata GLS V6 and I have to say, its the complete package. Everything we need and nothing we dont. We had traded our 2001 Sonata GLS V6 in for the new one. Just got sick and tired of hearing my wife say "look....theres a new Sonata" The new body style really sets it apart from previous models. We chose pearl white, with the beige interior, its a very pretty car.

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  Former Ford Owner, New Hyundai Convert - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Walt - May 6 - 4:13 am

  This car handles and rides great, I have the V6 so it also is very responsive, while providing great gas mileage.

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Robert Warner - May 5 - 11:20 pm

  I love the way this vehicle handles on the Interstates and the gas mileage is really good. Plenty of power and very quiet with almost no wind or road noise. I have used the 3rd row seats several times and had no complaints.

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  Excellent car!!!! - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By kytim - May 5 - 12:57 pm

  I now have 17, 000 miles on my Sonata. It is a great performer. I have owned Hondas, Nissans, Chevys and Mazdas in the past. The Hyundais quality, ride and performance is equal and better than the competitors(in my opinion). I rent cars to save miles and I always enjoy coming home to my Sonata!!!

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  2009 Santa Fe SE - Easy on the Pedal - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Atlanta SE - May 4 - 5:53 pm

  We were able to acquire a new 2009 SE, and got it for a reasonable price given the need of the dealership to be rid of their 09 models, with 2011 models just around the corner. We initially drove the GLS with 2.7V6/4speed auto. We upsized to the 3.3V6/5speed both for passing power and a smoother transmission (abrupt shifting seemed to be a complaint for 4-speed). Yes, the reviews are correct in that the fuel economy is not great, but it all depends on how you drive. We have only had the car for 400 miles, but with a light foot, I averaged around 24.5 mpg with mixed driving. If you are prone to punching it at red lights and going 80 mph on the interstate, you will not be MPG happy.

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  Hyundai Happiness - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By PKobia - May 4 - 2:23 pm

  I commute 76 miles to work, a total of 152 a day. My Hyundai Sonata has been superb. I have put 58,000 miles on the car in just under 18 months and have not had a single problem. Not one! I have been fanatical about oil changes etc. and tire rotation from day one. My gas mileage is excellent at 30 mpg and the Sonata 6 cyl has more than enough zip to keep me out of trouble on the open road. I am a big man and the Sonata is very comfortable with more than sufficient leg and head room. All in all a pleasure to drive and a pleasure to own.