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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  2005 Santa Fe - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jeff - August 22 - 4:46 am

  I love my 2005 Santa Fe-I never knew I would save money on car insurance! I was expecting to pay more, but didnt. I love the car-like ride and as many have said, those little extras. I am disappointed in the fuel economy however, its only a V6-not a V8. My parents have a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and it gets roughly the same milage and its a V8! Aside from all that, its a wonderful mid-sized SUV with plenty of space and standard features that make the big three worry: GM, Chrylser, Ford I like it!

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  Its a keeper! - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By josh33172 - August 22 - 4:22 am

  So far I am very satisfied with my Santa Fe. It has been very smooth, quiet and efficient (as long as I am not mashing on the gas) and my current peak was 27.2mph. I average about 23 combined which is what I expected and is decent for AWD, the heat in S. Florida, and traffic. The ride height and visability are very helpful for observing the road. The turning radius is excellent! The AWD system really helps when its wet. I have no experience in the snow currently living in Miami, Fl, but bought this with the intentions of moving to D.C.

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  Good Daily Driver - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By rsm535 - August 21 - 5:07 pm

  Daily driver and use to deliver pizza. Mileage in city without air running is about 27mpg, with air running is about 25mpg. Definatly less than advertised but cant complain with gas prices. Interior quality is average. The seatbelt receiver cover came apart a month or so after purchase, epoxy to the rescue. Lights went out behind the A/C in the dash and behind the automatic transmission panel but no big deal. The driver seat is starting to wear on the door side, but I get in and out of my car several hundred times a week so I have accelerated wear. A little low on power with the air on but overall it is a good, safe, economical little car.

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  Great car for the money - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Donnacoolcar - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I love this car and the the car gets many approving looks.The sound system is fantastic!!!The car looks like a very expensive car ,but is very reasonable.

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  2004 Hyundai Elantra ;) - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By drago65 - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Plenty of get up and go, I drive alot through steep mountains with the AC on and do not lose much (if any) power. Passes other cars with ease on steep inclines. Very comfortable seating with plenty of room, the seats are wider than other cars in its class. You get alot of extras for an inexpensive price. You cannot beat the price, paid a little over 11k and a comparable Honda or Toyota would have been 15-16k. No need to pay extra for an extended warranty, comes with an awesome standard warranty. I would suggest this car to anyone. Why pay more for less, this car rocks;)

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  NEEDS MOORE ROOM - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By TREM71 - August 21 - 10:00 am

  needs moore room in side and they all should come with the same features the lx has

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  BELIEVE IT or NOT. Cant beat this sedan - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jimmy K - August 21 - 5:43 am

  Ok guys here is the real deal got the car on 03/27 1. Saw the car during superbowl ads thought it was a VW cc or the lexus ES 300 but could not believe it its was hyundai sonata, which led into my research and comparisons with other sedan brands. 2. Test drove the camry , accord ex-l,VW TDI and the Ford Fusion and of course this car. 3. Now, what made me get the car? power,trunk,engine,features and unbelievable warrant etc etc. 4. Do your research as I have you will have people wondering what you driving!! 5. Price for limited edition is worth it when compared to other luxury brands 6. Just go test drive for the heck of it.

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  Great with a few issues - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ricknplano - August 20 - 6:30 am

  Have about 600 miles on my 2.7 GLS automatic. Love the styling, smooth and quiet engine and transmission, adequate power. Got 24 mpg on first tank and 21 mpg on second with gentle driving mixed city/highway. happy with purchase overall - best SUV in the class and price.

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  I love my car!!! - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lori - August 19 - 9:23 pm

  The Sonata is a very comfortable and roomy car. My husband is 64" tall with very long legs and he is very comfortable driving it. I am averaging 32 miles a gallon. It is loaded with all the features I wanted at a reasonable price.

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  WELL WORTH IT - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Robby - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Never thought I would own a Hyundai. I am happy I do. Well built. Well Engineered. A lot of thought went into the design of this car. I would buy one again. Thanks Hyundai