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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  2007 Hyundai Santa Fe 2WD - 2 Thumbs UP - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Rabi Sidawi - December 27 - 10:53 am

  I just purchasd a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe 2WD Limited on 11-20-2006. I was looking for the "lumbar support" feature, and soon realized that this the best value SUV for your money anywhere. With heated leather seats, Electronic Stabilization Control, superior interior/exterior styling, V6 fuel economy, 10YR/100,000 miles warranty, excellent CD audio system, do not bother to look anywhere else.

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  My second Tiburon - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By benebsm - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I am on my second Tiburon and I have become a true believer in the Hyundai product. I agree with the prior reviewer about the cluttered design in the radio/cup holder/ash tray area. Otherwise- I have logged in almost 100k miles on my Tibs and all I have ever had to do is replace the headlights (must be a flaw there). Otherwise, these cars are reliable, fun to drive and really unique looking.

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  My Sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Triggahnc - December 26 - 10:00 am

  The Sonata is a great buy, I was looking for something that was inexpensive, good on gas, comfortable and had the apperance of a more expensive car. The Sonata satisfied all of the above.

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  Santa fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jumping bean - December 26 - 10:00 am

  My santa fe has major transmission problems! I have already had the transmission replaced and will probably have to have it done again. Whenever it shifts, it bucks and isnt happy. When going from reverse to drive it has a very lengthy delay. My vehicle also makes a thump noise in the rear when backing up sound like a brake letting loose. While I like the look of the vehicle, I am not happy. The factory as well as the dealer says this if normal, I say this is crap.

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  Wow. . . . - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Carrz - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I just brought the Santa Fe this month and I cant stop driving it. Its a great suv and im happy I made it my 1st car!

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  have loved this car, but have fallen out of love - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Janice - December 26 - 5:23 am

  mostly i am enjoying this vehicle. but the front seat has become more and more uncomfortable. specifically the headrest. it makes not sense to me that it needs to be jutting out so far as to push my head and neck out of alignment. i tried a cushion, but nope. 2 weeks ago i found out i have 2 ruptured discs in my neck after 2 weeks or so of neck pain. now im in physical therapy to treat this problem, which involves proper alignment of my shoulders and neck. this headrest is messing with all of it and there is no way for me to get comfortable or sit correctly in this seat with this headrest in place. did the headrest contribute to my neck problem. i cant say it didnt. had i known all this, i would not have bought this vehicle. i am 51.5" and very petit, so my this may be conflicting with the design of this seat. but no matter what my height and build, i should still be able to get a comfortable position.

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  Excellent. - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By Alfred B. Rai - December 25 - 12:22 pm

  Beautiful to look at and excellent in performance.

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  Still love it! :) - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By daisygirl - December 24 - 10:00 am

  I really love it!Still cant belive its a Hyundai.Best in class.I got a great price under invoice.Bought a later 2002 model so I have the sunroof and never even knew the time was on top until reading the reviews! Even my husband drives it.I have the ABS traction control, pinstripping, mud flaps, carpeted mats, cross rails on roof rack, and even the side molding on doors and wheels.Have about 2600 miles on it.My dad has a 2002 Dodge Dakota and is more impressed with mine! Really appreciated everyones reviews on here.There were some features like the windows being able to go up when the truck is off that I didnt even know about!

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  Hyundai Santa Fe - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By blusfn3 - December 24 - 10:00 am

  So far, this is everything we expected. This vehicle is not only very sylish, but it is comfortable and very fun to drive. The bigges selling point was all of the standard features that are optional on other similar makes -- and the price is still at or below thiers! Definately worth consideration if you are in the market for a small/mid size SUV!

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  2002 Tiburon - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By tigerlady - December 24 - 10:00 am

  If you are taking long or short trips the Tiburon is the way to go. Old or young will enjoy this car. The gas mileage is terrific.