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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  Hyundai Wonder - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By dougndo - July 5 - 2:00 am

  This ebony black GLS Leather sedan has been a very good vehicle. In 40k+ miles, Ive had a total of two days lost to service for four nonessential in warranty repairs, and Ive spent $30 on one prorated repair. Otherwise, the cars been flawless. Its great to have a car paid off with two years left on the bumper to bumper warranty and seven years on the powertrain. Ill likely sell it before either runs out, but what a deal in the meantime! I saved thousands by choosing this over its competition, and I continue to save money every month. In this case, I will agree with Hyundai: I bought their car and I win.

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  Steering and Driving Disappointment - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By lrwilsonjr - July 5 - 12:57 am

  I purchased a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe (2.0 T AWD) in March of 2013. I haven’t owned a Hyundai since 1988 and assumed the brand had improved. While in comparison to the 1988 Excel I owed, quality has made leaps and bounds, but this vehicle still falls short. The steering is erratic no matter what steering mode is chosen. Due to this, control of the vehicle, especially at high speeds, is a challenge. On roads with bumps, the vehicle seems to jump when hitting one. If turning a corner and a bump is hit, hold on tight…you may lose control of the vehicle. This is a safety concern experienced by many other 2013 Santa Fe owners and to date Hyundai corporate hasn’t addressed the issue.

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  Im going to miss you. - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By hannnnaah - July 4 - 4:19 pm

  Durable, reliable and fun. First car I ever had and I loved it. I put that thing down ATV trails and logging routes and it took it like a champ. Quick pick-up, quiet, and very sound-proof. Surprising room when seats folded down. It lacked superior gas milage, but averaging at about 20 mpg, it wasnt too bad. Also wasnt impressed when the back window fell off into my hands after the hinges somehow corroded. Rusting was a problem inside back door. I installed an after market sound system (dash stereo, all 4 speakers and a subwoofer). Stereo installation was a pain in the you know what, but the speakers and sub wired with incredible ease. Got me where I needed to go and had fun doing it.

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  love it - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By tom b - July 4 - 1:40 pm

  Ive had the car for less then two weeks-fun to drive-more room then my lincoln in the back seat -more then enough acceleration-handels very well- good price for the quality and features-getting 17 mpg around town- but ive been a little heavy on the pedal-because it quick and fun to drive. Very glad that I purchased the car-Never thought I would own a hyundai-compared it with an avolon.

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  Great SUV!! - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By WP501 - July 3 - 3:53 pm

  Great value for what I paid, and I love the design.

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  1st sedan - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By lck dwn7 - July 3 - 10:00 am

  my review is simple by this car.

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  great car for money - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By dicodog - July 2 - 2:00 am

  I have always driven hondas and chevys..this car is compareable to the honda and much better than the cavalier. The safety features. and warrantee are outstanding. It could use disk rear brakes and ABS should be standard. Would not hesitate to buy a new one when time comes.

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  fun car - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By MAson - July 2 - 2:00 am

  i love this car got it for my 16th in feb. and i dissagree with the review on handling i love it i moved out of my parents and in with my brother and its like an hour drive and all hills and curves i push 80 or 85 the whole way up there on 2 lane streets and never slow down so i get there in bout 35 mins. and my sis-in-law has 1 a 2002 and she loves her.

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  Hyundai in the Family - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Adam - July 1 - 2:03 am

  I totaled my moms 2001 Santa Fe, but it did so well in the crash that she bought a 2004 with all the bells and whistles. I bought a 2004 Tiburon GT which I now regret since the insurance is so high on that car, not to mention already had a speeding ticket! I am looking into buying a new Santa Fe since I need the room inside and would like to have a vehicle that I can put a hitch on to haul trailers around when I get some toys.

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  My Ride - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Shorty - July 1 - 2:00 am

  I went from a Lincolm Towncar to the Hyundai Elantra Wagon & Ive never been as satisfied with a car. I can scoot around traffic with ease. Its no V8, but I have no problem with exceleration. My dealership is wonderful & I recommend the Southtowne Motors in Newnan, GA to everyone. I have had few problems with this car.