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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  2000 miles a month cant be wrong - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ksuwildcat daddy - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Idrive alot 2k a month and all over while i am 65 the vehicle was not designed with me in mind but to hop in and go 375 miles in a few hours i find to be better than my old 4-runner and it gets better mileage to i would reccomend this vehicle to anyone who wanrs quality with a great warranty and great value for the dollar

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  Veracruz welcome addition - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By win - August 17 - 10:43 am

  My wife was interested in the Santa Fe a couple of years back when she purchased a very new chevolet equinox which we were pleased. Driving the new Vericruz was an awesome experience. Of course the price was considerably more, but it was much less the the Lexus Suv of comparable design. Great ride, better drive with 7 passenger accommodation and still short wheelbase. All the bells and whistles of an expensive SUV. The power tailgate was an important feature for us. Only negatives primarly relate to accessories not yet available. Dash has good controls but console does not provide uncovered storage area. ENJOY!

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  First Hyndia gave up Pilot - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By PUDGIEBIRD - August 16 - 4:20 am

  Bought this car two months ago and I love it. I purchased the limited. My kids state I love the car more then them. The 400 watt stereo blows my ears away. The bluetooth/navaigation is a great feature. I enjoy my driving time to work. So much for all the cost of fueling my ex Honda Pilot. I am saving alot of money every week. Great car. I never thought I would try Hyndai, but so many of my friends have been bragging about their cars for years. I am glad I did.

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  Great little car! - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By casecalldiva - August 15 - 7:10 am

  We needed a safe & reliable car for a long commute, and this is a great car for that. The back seat is filled with 2 car seats and my kids love putting their juice in the drop-down drink holder, good gas mileage (approx 24mpg for LA city driving), great audio system with XM a must for time spent in the car. The bluetooth is great but its a hassle to have to add everyone into their phonebook for voice dialing. Very peppy engine & you have to watch your speed because you cant even feel how fast you going due to the lightness of the car. Large cargo - easily holds our large double stroller. Great sporty red color; wish lights & door locks were automatic. Totally recommend this car!

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  A tank of a car! - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mark Ox - August 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because it was the largest in its class, most HP, and lowest price with the best waranty. The car has been great, very quick, MPG, and you can not break it. Every morning it just starts right up and goes. The perfect econo wagon!

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  Good style - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By JayJay - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Good quality, excellent service

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  LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Britt - August 14 - 11:50 pm

  I just bought my Santa Fe a few days ago and I cant stop smiling. I ruled the car out in the beginning of my SUV search because I didnt know the body style had changed this year. Originally went to look at the VeraCruz and quickly changed my mind. The 2007 Santa Fe is beautiful! The interior for the price is really what got me. I love the blue lights, touch of chrome, and wood accents. The dual climate control is awesome because I can be freezing when my boyfriends hot. I looked at every SUV out there: Mitsubishis, Hondas, Nissans, Toyotas, Jeeps. You name it, I looked into it. The Santa Fe was the first car I didnt have a single complaint about. I cant stop smiling when Im driving it!

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  would buy again - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By jvanourek - August 14 - 9:03 pm

  very pleased had vehicle over 2 years only problem was small lite out on shift console -had numerus ford products 17 they cant compare!!

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  My 3rd Hyundai and this is the best yet! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By concrodenerd - August 14 - 8:50 am

  This is my 3rd Hyundai and I have loved them all. My 1st was a 99 Elantra, than an 04 Elantra now and 06 Sonata. Great cars. Well built and reliable. The car is so great. Have driven the V6 and did not need that so I have the I4. Enough power for me. This a great commuter car and my gas mileage is good. The car is quiet and still well built after 1 1/2 years. no squeaks or rattles. Tight gaps and nice interior materials.

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  In love with my Azara Experiance - 2016 Hyundai Azera
  By Terry Bahgat - August 14 - 6:24 am

  I cant say enough about my over all satisfaction with the 2012 and now the 2016 Azara. In 2012 I trade in my BMW 750L for the Azara, I was worried that I would be greatly disappointed but I wanted to save some money as I had to kids entering college. I was worried about NOTHING; the Azara was such a plesant surprise, it is chuck full of high end technology, fantastic look and feel, an increadably comfortable ride. With all honestly, I did not miss a single thing from my BMW. The price value was amazing and the ownership experience was even more of a pleasure. In fact I loved is so much I just picked up my new 2016 Azara Limited. I just know Im going to love my 2016 even more then my 2012. If you have not considered an Azara you are truly missing out!