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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  Great Car - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By xg lover - November 3 - 7:00 pm

  Everyone who sees this car loves it. Ive had it for almost 6 years and I love it as much now as I did then. Still fun to drive. No major problems to report.

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  Great vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By TN - November 3 - 6:03 am

  First Hyundai. Nothing but Toyotas last 15 years. The Santa Fe had, better styling, more interior room, especially with the third row seats, and a better overall value. We got a limited loaded, including leather and sunroof and third row seating for about what we would have paid for a basic Highlander. We love the Santa Fe. Two years and 40k miles. Some issues, paint chips too easy, slight hesitation in the transmission, especially when going from reverse to drive, rt rear door weatherstrip came loose, Front interior lighting didnt come on with doors, my neighbors 08 did, dealer took care of it by adding an update which was great. 20/24 mpg. Fun to drive. Larger 3.3 is better choice.

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  GREAT COMFORT AND WONDERFUL PRICE - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By C.Silor - November 3 - 2:29 am

  Before I bought this SUV I did my homework, looked at all issues and prices and many pages of reviews from other owners, I love the wider stance it has, my 04 Jeep Liberty limited was narrow and very cramped, the A/C is great, shifting is smooth, I bought a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2.7liter FWD 4speed automatic tranny, it rides smooth, MY husband is 62 and he said its like sitting in a recliner, quiet cabin, rocking sound system, great location of vents, for passengers, amazing storage space, (my aunt just bought a 2015 Cadillac SUV and it has small storage area no spare tire or jack yuk and it feels cramped) when she seen my SUV she was amazed at the room and the price I got it used in 6/2016 with 67403 miles on it for $9500 I have searched around and found I got a HELL of a DEAL... Super happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! December 2017, still enjoy the car. I have about 108000 miles now from 67000 when I bought it. No issues, still runs and drives great... UPDATE DECEMBER 17TH 2016 Still love my 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, very roomy have used it for myself and in-laws grocery shopping and have tons of room... no mechanical issues, rides straight and smooth.

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  Love My Santa Fe! - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By J - November 2 - 7:03 am

  Purchased my new Santa Fe SE AWD in August and could not be happier! This is a definite upgrade from my previous car, a 2005 Corolla. I have wanted to upgrade from the Corolla to an SUV for about two years now. I test drove virtually every new compact and midsize SUV on the market today during that time. I used to never think I would own a Hyundai, but after a test drive of the new Genesis coupe during a promotion in June, I decided to look at the Santa Fe and am glad I did! I love the power and performance, but my favorite feature has to be the upgrade in space over the Corolla. Hyundai has definitely won me over because the value cannot be beat! Drive one and experience for yourself!

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  My little Hyundai - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By meijkej - November 1 - 5:12 pm

  Since Im so tall, Ive found that this model doesnt have a lot of leg room. The steering wheel doesnt tilt, so I have to constantly scrunch down to see my odometer. Other than that....this is a great little car! It gets me where I want to go, and I dont really need to keep an eye on the gas prices b/c I dont fill up very often (even though I drive everywhere).

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  Awesome car - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By s_giusti - November 1 - 12:25 pm

  So I really like this car, Ive had it sense January and already have about 10k on it. It is a very reliable and durable little car, I had someone t-bone me going 40 and the only damage it had was a little crack and scuff on the bumper. the backseat is also big enough to fit 2 car seats.The gas mileage is better than I expected also, I usually drive between 40-50 mph and I average 38-43 mpg. The highest mpg Ive averaged was 51.2 with the Eco boost on. I would recommend this car to a friend and think they should make it in a hybrid because it would get outstanding gas mileage. It also turns heads when I pull up to lights and people surprised its my car and not my parents because of my age.

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  My 4th Hyundai - 2016 Tuscon - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Deborah Clem - November 1 - 9:00 am

  I traded a 2008 Sante Fe for this vehicle. I wanted one that was just a little smaller and had the safety feature of backup camera and hands free talking. This suv has 3 drive modes: regular, eco and sport. It drives great and the seats are very comfortable. I love the automatic day driving lights and the fact that I can open the trunk without unlocking the whole car.

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  Great car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By TomBee - November 1 - 5:33 am

  Traded an Accord V6 w/13000 miles to get it. Wife decided to buy a Santa Fe, were closing on it and salesman asks, "Sir, what do you drive?". On laughing and answering that I just got the new Honda, he throws me the keys to a new limited and says, "Drive it and let me worry about the numbers!". The Sonata is fun, quiet, strong, good looking, comfortable, large trunk, fast, better stereo, no rattles, easy to service, sure footed, and fast. I think the hp is underrated.

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  The Best - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By JoshBo - November 1 - 2:00 am

  My experience with this vehicle has been a great one! This beautiful car is nicely equipped from the factory, but I have added a Catback exhaust system to mine for a little extra punch as well as new wheels and tires; for such a low price you can afford to add whatever you want!

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  Worth Considering: Santa Fe LX - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By CTarna - November 1 - 2:00 am

  We loved the body style, so we took a look. The 2.7L motor was much better than the 4 cyl, but still underpowered. I hear the new 3.5 is MUCH better. I still used the SUV to tow my motorcycles 300 miles to the track and except for a few steep hills, it held its own. (I even slept in the rear with the middle seats folded down and Im 62" 230 lbs.!) Front leg room was just enough for me, could have been a bit roomier, but this is a mid- sizer. All controls are user friendly (once you figure out the AMB means "ambient" or outside temperature, lol). Bottom line, great value for a good mid-sized 4WD SUV.