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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  Best car for the money - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By kim leonard - September 4 - 11:10 am

  We are very happy with our Sonata having put 25,000 miles on it in the last 7 months. Its very comfortable to drive,the engine has plenty of power & the fuel economy is great. We have had 3 problems with it (2 have been self induced) that have been handled quickly by our dealers service department.

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  I love my Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By Danielle1221 - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I just wanted to say that this is a wonderful car and I would recommened it to everyone

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  My 3rd SantaFe - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By SantaFe136 - September 3 - 7:43 pm

  I just purchased my 3rd SantaFe!! I owned a 2002, sold it to a friend, purchased a 2005, sold that one to another friend. Now I have a new 2007 SantaFe SE with the premium package!! I am THRILLED to say the least!!!!!! LOVE everything about it especially the color, Natural Khaki !!!!! I work with over 15 people that own SantaFes as well.

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  BAD fuel economy - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ron - September 3 - 1:56 pm

  We have had this suv for about 9 months. We had been promised that it would get about 24 mpg on the highway, NOT. If we drive it like a little old lady, it only gets 18. If you are looking to save a few bucks on gas, do not buy a Santa Fe!!!! The car itself seems well built and the kids like the reclining back seats. (One of the reasons we bought the car). I am 6 2" and the driver seat could go back a little more. NOT A BAD CAR, JUST BAD MPG!!!!!! Hyundai should be made to pull the ads about mileage.

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  loves it - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By happyasalark - September 3 - 11:10 am

  well we just got our new car about 3 weeks ago and i could not have asked for a better vehicle. i have had two other vehicles in the past and this car rocks compared to the other ones. it has a huge trunk, roomy inside...

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  I Love My Hyundai - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Miriam Chavis - September 3 - 5:30 am

  This is my first Hyundai and I really do love the way it drives and rides. I had driven a Chevrolet until I bought this one. I would not go back. It is very comfortable. It also has great get up and go. I am very happy with my purchase. The salesman was very nice and helpful. If I buy another vehicle it will be the same thing and from the same person.I feel good driving my Hyundai.

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  Good value - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By AM - September 2 - 1:23 pm

  Many features for the money. Good gas mileage and more than adequate power. 6 speed automatic shifts smoothly in all ranges. Sound system is very good and the bluetooth is user friendly and transmits and receives quite clearly. A design defect prevents the side mirrors from traversing high enough to see the road completely. The dash lights dim for no apparent reason at random frequencies when the headlights are on. 4 cyl is a bit loud and the suspension is rough over bumps at low speed on city streets.

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  Great Mid Size SUV! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By DTrain - September 2 - 10:40 am

  Purchased for wife 12 months ago, she averages 19mpg city and on highway trips we are averaging 26.5mpg (500 mile trips). I dont know why other posts are lower, maybe we got a "good" one, we bought the FWD, not the AWD. Cuts through Wisconsin snow like butter, even with just FWD. SMOOTH and QUIET, I challenge you to find a smoother riding and quieter vehicle for under 30k. Fit and finish exceeded our expectations, our neighbor owns a Lexus RX330, I feel our Santa Fe matches the Lexus across the boards. Just a great value, Hyundai has definetly stepped up their game. We were initially scared to buy the Santa Fe because it was a "Hyundai", after one year, NO REGRETS, Great purchase!

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Blessed - September 2 - 10:00 am

  An excellent vehicle. Has a very comfortable interior, with lots of leg room. It is economical and fun to drive. Has very good pickup and many other good features. To date I have had no problems.

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  Consumer Reports - You got it wrong! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dave Hermens - September 1 - 10:00 pm

  My Elantra GT is the first Hyundai I have bought after previously owning Hondas, Toyotas and Mazdas. I thoroughly tested the Civic, Corolla, Mazda 3 and Ford Focus. The Civic was very noisy and a mediocre performer. The Corolla was uncomfortable and slow. Both the Mazda 3 and the Focus were better but the Elantra GT stood out, and at a lesser price! Then I saw the latest Consumer Reports annual auto edition. They say "The Elantra is just basic transportation.... but neither agile nor sporty." I couldnt disagree more. The GT handles and rides better than the Accord EX I just sold and is much quieter. So far, the Elantra has exceeded my expectations and I am happy with my choice.