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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  I survived! - 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By M. Thompson - September 2 - 8:44 pm

  I purchased the Sante Fe Sport a year and a half ago after researching safety ratings and affordability of various SUVs. I live in a high traffic area, and safety was a top priority. Last week I was sitting at a red light when I was rear ended by a Toyota Tacoma going at too high a rate of speed for the area. The truck that hit me actually came high enough to knock out the back glass of my hatchback. All side curtain airbags in my entire vehicle deployed instantly. While I am facing further medical treatments, thankfully, none of my injuries were life threatening. I’m so thankful for the safety features of the Sante Fe. Now we wait for insurance to decide if my SUV can be fixed or if it will be totaled out. My husband and I agree that if it is totaled out, we will be heading right back to the dealership for another Hyundai Sante Fe Sport!

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  Good value...great car. - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Ken in Charlotte - September 2 - 8:13 pm

  Six months and 7200 miles now, and I still love this car. Yes, there are a few things that could be done better, but overall, its a great car. Great value for the money; only concern I have is depreciation, but I think that, as Hyundais reputation continues to improve, that depreciation wont be an issue in a few years. Drove a Sonata on vacation last week, and liked it almost as well as the Azera - but Im spoiled by the interior room, quietness, and performance of the Azera. Id recommend either car, though. Fuel mileage is about the same for both cars - both had a V6. Azera is much faster. Just put a K&N air filter in my Azera - theres a noted difference in HP!!

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  LOVE THE BANG-FOR-BUCK - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By scott0814 - September 2 - 3:44 pm

  I traded-in an 09 Malibu for my first non-GM car. The 4cyl Malibu produced 169hp with an EPA 29 hwy, which was exactly what I got (without a good tailwind). I looked at the V-6 Malibu (base $28k, 252hp, 26 mpg hwy). Then I discovered the Sonata. I was out the door with a 2.0T SE with 274hp/269 lb-ft torque and an EPA 34hwy for under $26k. After 4000 miles with the Sonata, I am extremely satisfied. CONTRARY TO OTHER REVIEWS, the 34 mpg hwy is very realistic if you can control your right foot. The turbo engages just above 2000 rpm and it will drink gas (but its fun!). I have never driven a car with a better combination of performance and economy for less than $26,000.

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  Best - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By strawberry - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Good car, runs good, best warrenty, good gas mileage, good styling, reliable,runs smooth, great second car

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  A OK - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By kirksterl - September 2 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive and ride in.

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  Picky Mechanic - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By sacoon - September 2 - 1:03 am

  Ive been working on cars for 27 years and needed a car to drive because my ride desided to call it quits !!!so i went out and test drove approx. 15 or so 4 door sedans pontiac ford chevy saturn honda toyota. After all of those test drives youd think one could find a car for 20.000 to 25.000 that was a QUALITY car.then I test drove MY 2006 hyundai sonata gls. WOW !! PLENTY OF POWER VERY ROOMY INSIDE GAUGES & CONTROLS WHERE NEEDED !!GO DRIVE ONE OF THESE.

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  18 months in and still loving it - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By Sean MCLEAN - September 1 - 4:22 pm

  For the money, this is a great value. My dealership has been great for routine maintenance, and my experience has been very positive. The car is still fun and I have no complaints. Im 64 and dont feel cramped at all. Love it.

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  Major Accent Upgrade - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Rhett - September 1 - 10:52 am

  Previous 2004 Accent owner, my 2007 SE model a major improvement in features, driving comfort, economy, and looks. With the larger tires and sport suspension this car handles beautifully. Makes a perfect around town vehicle. Hyundai did a great job with this model. Also interior features well made.

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  Its ok. - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kate - August 31 - 3:52 pm

  My husband I bought our Hyundai when our Pontiac died. After owning it for about six months now I would say that its "ok". Not "great". Just "ok". We havent had any problems with the engine, we did have a defective tire that went flat for no reason and was completely shredded inside. We have had to call the roadside service that comes with the car for them to jump the battery after we went on vacation for a week and left it at the airport. But other than minor things its been alright. The price is great esp. considering what you get.

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  Eye Catcher XG300 2001 - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By Cyrill - August 31 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for about 2 weeks. I purchaed it used. I can not tell you how many looks I get from people. My only complaint is that my steering wheel shakes when I go over 60-65 mph. It eventually stops but it does bug me. Im guessing it is the tires. I am going to take it in to get it checked. Has anyone else had this problem?