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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  More than enough - 2009 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Aaron - January 23 - 6:40 pm

  I was expecting an under powered SUV and I was pleasantly surprised when it had more than enough. This vehicle just continues to impress us. My wife and I have to take turns driving it. Our other mode of transportation is a V-8. Were already getting 10 more MPG. With the warranty its truly worry free driving. Id recommend it to anyone.

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  2007 hyundai limited - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By bernard edwards - January 23 - 4:56 pm

  Hello, I just wanted to share with you folks my experience with my Vera-cruz limited. I now have had it over two years now and had one minor recall on it to install a better fuel filter. The car is so beautiful, I never get tired of looking at it and I have a two wheel drive and I get 24 miles per gallon, and I am amazed at the Lexus quality it has and this is my 7th Hyundai, and I will be getting the new 2009 Vera cruz with the same color and equipment as I just love this car as it has a lot of class and I can only say to you folks that buy a Hyundai and you wont regret it.. The car has the ultimate package on it and I love the 605 Watt radio and ten speakers and the dvd, wow what a car we love it

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  One Year Review - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tomalot - January 21 - 6:23 pm

  I have now owned my 07 GLS for a little over a year with zero problems. After 13,500 miles it drives like the day I bought it. Great mileage--I get between 28 and 31mpg on every fill up (mixed driving). Hyundais commitment to quality for an excellent price with a great warranty is almost too good to be true. Plenty of power for a 4 cylinder, smooth ride, and all the safety and features you need. No wonder it is a top 10 best selling car in America.

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  Very Nice Car - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By SkyHigh - January 21 - 1:50 pm

  this is my first suv and i absolutely love it!! the first time i saw the new Santa Fe, i knew that i had to have it. It is very luxurious and confortable inside. Materials are very high quality. The exterior also has a sleek, sexy look to it. Overall i love this car.

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  Lots of car...not lots of cash - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By CV - January 21 - 6:13 am

  Wanting to recapture my sportier car days, I was hesitant to look at "family sedans", but when I actually dove the `06 Sonata, I was amazed at how much this car had to offer. Ive had it for only a week and I just want to be out driving. COmpared to its competition, I think that it more than matches up, especially when you figure in cost and never mind the warranty. Most of all I can put the three kids in the back instead of taking the "family truckster" mini-van everywhere. If youre looking for a car that is fun, roomy and you also need to pay the rest of lifes bills, this is the car for you. Hyundai has really stepped up with this car, from now on they are the one to watch.

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  Love my Santa Fe! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By virginia - January 21 - 2:10 am

  Had looked at Santa Fes earlier last year, then decided to hold onto my 01 Grand Caravan with 60k on it. Until, that is, I was told the "weird noise and odd ride" suddenly meant I needed a new front end suspension/ball joints...this by my very reliable and highly rated mechanic/garage..the Chrysler dealership hemmed and hawed and told me it couldnt be so. Found out the next week that there was a MAJOR recall on Chrysler Durangos etc for same! Adios Chrysler forever. I had stopped MANY Santa Fe owners in parking lots and asked their opinions....they all said they loved their vehicles. One woman said her husband liked it so much he bought his own!

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  Best SUV - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jabes - January 20 - 6:43 am

  I have owned Jeep,Honda,GMC,Ford and Toyota SUVs. This is the best of them all. Ride is great, everything is well placed on the interior. I get great gas milage on the highway, 26mpg, driving in mountainous areas. Love the Automatic/manual transmission, great feature similar to what I had on my Audi. Excellant warranty, which Ive not had to use because it is such a reliable car.

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  happy hyundai owner - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By kenny the k - January 19 - 11:20 pm

  My Tucson has certainly pleased me. Good quality automobile, fun to drive, live in the Tahoe area and handles snow storms like a champ.

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  A very good vehicle and value - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By beaver - January 19 - 10:03 am

  The driving experience was excellent: quite, nimble, and feature-full. At a similar price range there were no other car which offered electronic stability as standard, and I could add the sun roof and heated seat within our modest budget.

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  so far so good - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By MAZZ1 - January 18 - 2:10 pm

  Bought my 09 Santa Fe new. The ride is comfortable and smooth. Handling is secure. Fit and finish is very Nice. Only thing I dont like is that acceleration is sluggish.