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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  1st time Hyundai owner - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Karen32 - May 5 - 7:20 am

  The vehicle is comfortable but has limited driver leg room. The power seat adjustment seems limited and hard to stay comfortable on any trip longer than an hour. Dont expect great gas mileage - 22 hwy with air. City about 16-17. 2200 rpm at 70 mph. Stereo, trip computer, heated seats are very good. Traction is very nice - you feel very safe even during rain. Rear cargo area is well designed and the sun shade works well - A/C is extremely good and cools the car quickly - Temp control could be more user friendly - Nice acceleration and good braking - Overall the car is a good value for $20k - $25k but if I had to do it all over again, Id probably purchase the Tucson - more bells and whistle

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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.

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  Best Small SUV - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mason702 - May 4 - 1:46 pm

  All people that want to get a great SUV and dont care about brand of care... this is the car for you. When I drive this car, I feel very comfortable. Because that car has stability control you can take a 50 degree turn at 40 mph.

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  Awesome Car! - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By B Riggle - May 4 - 1:40 pm

  If you want a great sportscar for a GREAT price....this is it! I get more compliments on the style of this car. The car performs great! My only complaint is the armrest in the middle console could be a little higher to rest your arm on. Seats are a bit stiff, but keeps you on your toes. You just want to get in this car and drive it! Great warranty! Very worth the money!

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  My car - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Shannon D - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I love my car

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  POOR PERFORMER - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Myhyundai - May 4 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle did not meet my expectations and had many expensive, time consuming mechanical difficulties.

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  early failures - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By ghahn - May 3 - 2:51 pm

  I have had (have) the following problems with my 2007 vera cruz: 1) at 70k - valve cover gasket leak which allowed oil to spray on the alternator - alternator failed causing a breakdown on a major highway in rush hour 2) back up warning sensors no longer work 3) auto door lock for drivers door fails to activate 80% of the time. this applies to locking or unlocking 4) one of the air bags has failed and i have an indicator on all the time 5) cruise set/ resume buttons do not activate the cruise 50% of the time 6) steering column volume control problems have recently surfaced - does not work and volume up turns down the volume 25% of the time

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  More Bang For Your Buck - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Steve Elliott - May 3 - 1:23 am

  Car handles well when driving even in the rain. Engine noise is not loud so I dont know why other consumer said it was loud. It looks like a Jag car on the road. Im happy with the driving performance, I have a 4 cylinder and it felt like a V6. I feel Hyundai really wants my business and cares about their customers even long after you buy the car. I feel that Hyundai quality in the GL 2005 Sonata has improved so much that it can compete against Japanese cars. Im beginning to see more people on the road with a quality car that cant afford a big name brand car like Toyota or Honda. This car safety features are great with standard side impact airbags.

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  Sonata Review - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Beatty - May 2 - 2:20 pm

  Good quality vehicle with an excellent warranty and which is fun to drive.