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:

• 

  Ive Researched, this seems to be the 1! - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By krikie - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I started researching for a new suv about Jan of 03. It is now April 03 and I will be buying a Santa Fe. Everyone Ive talked to, including my very trusting insurance agent and all the reviews Ive seen, Ive only seen one bad one, and there have been many many reviews, and the bad one I seen, just said poor (21m said it-go fiqure). I cant wait to go get mine this month. And strangly enough, my insurance is running within $30 of my old 97, Pont. Grand AM insurance. So for all you researchers, times up, this is the one.

• 

  Great SUV - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By chirs - January 20 - 2:56 pm

  This vehicle is awesome for the price. Smooth, quiet, strong engine. And the transmission shifts just fine. Granted its not like a BMW, but what do you expect for 25 Grand. If you get into this vehicle expecting, it to be a 7 series you will be disappointed, but if you get into it expecting it to be a "Hyundai" you will be pleasantly surprised.

• 

  Hyundai,Honda, Mazda,Toyota ? - Elantra! - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By John - January 20 - 12:33 pm

  After looking at the Mazda 3, Civic, and Corolla we went with the Elantra. The interior size, ride and features available with the Limited could not be met by the other three. Closest was the Mazda but it was smaller and the Corola and Civic didnt offer leather and heated seats, which have been greatly appreciated. Add in the outstanding warranty and safety features and it became obvious to us which was the car of preference.

• 

  Great except, is gas mileage overstated? - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Key1Chuck - January 20 - 8:26 am

  I enjoy the drive experience. The vehicle feels high quality and well put together. I like the relatively short vehicle length with the small turning radius making it easy to park, maneuver, and fit in the garage. I like everthing except the gas mileage. I got 15.5 mpg in my day to day city driving and 18 mpg on my combined city highway. I saw some write-ups stating that city mileage should be 20 minimum and others saying it should be 19 minimum (my window sticker). I must admit I really enjoy the vehicle but if the window sticker would have stated 15 mpg city, I would not have purchased it. I have owned the vehicle for 3 weeks and have put about ~650 miles on it. (GLS 4WD 2.7L).

• 

  Still a Great Value! Still a Nice Ride! - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By kandue - January 18 - 3:06 am

  I wrote a review in October 2007 after owning the Veracruz for 2 weeks. After having owned for a year now I am pleased to report that I am as happy with the Veracruz today as then. Not a single thing has needed to be fixed. Everything has worked perfectly from Day 1 and continues to be a joy to drive...city and highway. My wife is even more pleased with the Veracruz as she drives it more than I do.

• 

  Continue to be surprised - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By J Romer - January 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Elantra GT for two years and have 46,000 miles. I continue to enjoy this car more and more. I had a Maxima (96) before this and although it had more power, I have found the Elantra to be much more fun to drive. Mainly ride and handling. And you cant beat the price and the warrentee. (Yes, Im a value oriented car buyer.) And I see some who critisize the fact that ABS is an option. Personally I like the fact that I have a choice to have ABS. I didnt get it...and didnt want it. I guess I like to drive a car and not have it drive me...call me crazy.

• 

  The Right Choice - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Glenn Brown - January 13 - 1:50 pm

  Went looking for a Suburu and wound up with a 07 Santa Fe. Couldnt be happier. Roomy, plenty of power, gas mileage around 21, versitile, the best warranty in America, and around $7000 less than a comperably equiped Pilot. Whats not to love.

• 

  Grinning all the way - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Bill K - January 13 - 8:06 am

  My wife and I both love this car. We are retired and gave up her 2003 Acura 3.2TL and my 2004 red Z06 Corvette to go to one car we both could live with. ItÂ’s a great fun car fully loaded with features. Enjoy the spirited, quick and agile drive. Fit and finish is superb and the best warranty in the business. Some details that donÂ’t show up on the feature list are side door windows that move down a half inch then up into a groove for a water tight seal when the door is closed. Under the hood it has an ignition coil per plug that bolts down over the spark plug eliminating the plug wire. It has a ram air intake from the front grill through duct work to the air filter.

• 

  Love my new Tib - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By gail - January 13 - 2:13 am

  I just traded my 05 Tib on this SE model and I very happy with it. Looks, drive, and reasonable fuel mileage add up to a great ride.

• 

  New Beginning for Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By david - January 11 - 6:06 am

  This is a really nice and best value car. Do not hesitate. Get one. You will not regret it.