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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  Pleased with 07 Santa Fe - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Molly - August 24 - 1:56 pm

  I have only had my Santa Fe for a month, but so far, so good. I was a little worried about getting a Hyundai until I test drove this SUV. Hyundai has redesigned the body style and finally, it doesnt look like a cheap rounded SUV. You cant beat the value either. I was orginally looking at the Honda CR-V but the prices are so high for a smaller SUV. The Santa Fe drives very smooth like a luxury car and is easy to handle. This is my first SUV, going from driving a small two door car. The Santa Fe has made the transition an easy one.It is great that things such as XM radio come standard with this SUV.

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  2016 Equus - 2016 Hyundai Equus
  By Equus - August 24 - 10:50 am

  Whoever is telling others to stay away from this car must be a severe mental services patient. This is the best riding, smoothest vehicle I have ever owned and driven. I have driven all, Mercedes, bmws range rovers, Bentleys etc, etc and none of them match the handling and sophistication of this car. The car feels as if it were formed using a solid piece of steel and the suspension system is controlled electronically at all times by air. When it rolls across rough bumps, the suspension system literally raises the car to get it prepared for proper damping by the electronically controlled continuous damping function thus eliminating rough roads from the cabin. You can literally feel the cars damping control system softening up all and every rough road surface like magic with no body roll. The suspension system on these cars are extremely sensitive and know exactly how to handle all road surface types. The car never bottoms out and even smooth out speed bumps once detected. Anyone who wants a shockingly comfortable magic type ride should consider the 2016 Equus as lexus, bmw and Mercedes doesnt come anywhere close to the overall sophistication of this car, and its loaded with tons of gadgets thats too many to list here.. If you dont believe me, go test drive one. I do know i will keep this car for 15 plus years and will enjoy every day of it. Equus is all about reality. Lexus, bmw, mercedes, etc, etc are all about the name and charging people for every high tech feature possible. Equus has so much to offer and should be considered the king of all luxury cars; and it is $100,000 car in Korea so with the base signature class, hyundai is loosing 40k or more for every equus sold in america. The feel of the Equus is priceless. This car is for the smart and detailed oriented individuals.

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  Worth every penny - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jemon - August 24 - 4:00 am

  The drive is very comfortable and smooth. I love the interior and all of the included upgrades. The warranty won me over all of the other cars in its class.

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  great - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By jimmy - August 23 - 11:23 pm

  love everything about it. just added 2 screens to the back of the seats and the kids love it.

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  Biggest Bang for the Buck! - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By jhc003 - August 23 - 11:30 am

  We just picked up a Veracruz the other day and what a beautiful vehicle. During the first test drive I was shocked at the smooth ride and quality, very impressed with what they have done in the crossover segment. Considered a minivan but this drove so much nicer. When the truck is running you cant even tell, no noise or vibration whatsoever. This is the base model and it has everything you will need and then some. AWD, 3rd row seats, 18/25 mpg, 5 star safety rating, rear heat and a/c, fabulous exterior and interior design, XM radio and more! Even has puddle lights. If you are in the market for a crossover you have to check this vehicle out b/c you will be amazed at what it has to offer.

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  One of the best choices - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By bamster - August 23 - 10:00 am

  good performance so far. have driven it around 2000 miles since getting it mid- august. manu-matic adds nice touch. love the fact that it has everything i need already, and the warranty makes me worry-free for the next 118,000 miles. glad that hyundai was honest enough to tell us owners about the lower hp rating, plus the additional warranty they provided. theyve earned my respect.

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  What a great car! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Roydjt - August 22 - 9:53 pm

  I have driven this car for over a year now, and I have put it to the full test. I have been nothing but satisfied with its comfort, performance, reliability, and efficiency. I feel that I got more for my money than with any other car on the market. I find it to be stylish and I am glad that its different from all the other econoboxes on the road. It hauls a large load with ease due to the hatchback design with 60/40 folding rear seats, and its fast, too!

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  I love it, i get a lot turning heads!! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Eric - August 21 - 3:03 am

  The car is great. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a car under 20,000 and is really sporty.

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  Fun - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Traincat - August 19 - 10:00 am

  Very fun and beutiful to the eye. A car that gives the feel of an expensive luxury car without the high price tag.

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  Best Sedan on the Market !! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Whoa! - August 18 - 12:50 am

  Just bought the car a week ago. Very nice interior and moderate exterior styling. After researching many cars including Camry, Accord, Altima, and Passat, Sonata came in first on every thing on my list. Gas mileage is great getting above +35mpg on highways!! Interior w/ blue lights are luxurious at night. Very quiet and smooth ride makes me wanna drive all the time! Overall, Very satisfied with my Hyundai Sonata !