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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  Love my Santa Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By knduck - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I had so many problems with my last car that having a santa fe is great!!! I have never had a problem or had to bring it in the shop (except for oil changes). I treat a car pretty rough, so I appreciate the fact that my Santa Fe is right there with me!

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  nice - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By yup - May 15 - 10:00 am

  i love it

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  not great - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By jsand - May 15 - 2:00 am

  this is definetly a you get what you pay for kind of car. I have found poor craftsmanship, and it costs more than its major competitors. i would recommend a toyota echo or suzuki forenza anyday to someone in the market for a cheap economy car that isnt that economical.

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  Im leasing this car - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By David Cutich - May 13 - 3:52 pm

  I love it. I upgraded from an 09 Ford Focus so honestly this is a huge upgrade. I got the Limited package with the tech package. Its amazing. It rides well, the entertainment package is awesome, the infinity speakers are great, I love the ventilated seat and the heated seats. The heated steering wheel is a cool feature. The sport mode tightens the steering up and it handles like a dream and it nicely adds a little get up and go. The ECO mode adds gas mileage while going down the highway. The normal driving mode is a nice drive too. I love this car and it was between this and the kia optima with the tech package. I loved both cars and they are both on the same body but I got a better deal on the Sonata for a lease. They honestly handle the same and amenities are the same, however I did like the Harmon and Kardon speakers a little better than the infiinities. But, Im confident in the Sonata and the features are great. I would definitely lease another one after this lease is up. If youre on the fence between this and anything else, pull the trigger you wont regret it. Especially if you are coming from a car like the ford focus or some other compact car. The space is literally uncomparable. I could fit 2 Ford "Foci" in this car. (Obvious hyperbole, kinda)

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  Almost. - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Mike Burke - May 13 - 2:06 pm

  Bought the KIA Sportage variant instead. Bigger engine ,a hair better built, same bad gas mileage, much better price. All in all either of them would be great. This new, from the ground up, total rebuild, produces a vehicle with Swisswatch precision quality parts, build, engineering, and great styleing. Its the best out there in either the KIA or Hyundai name plates.

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  hyundai santa fail - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By marcelo1977 - May 13 - 12:12 pm

  i bought this car used and since day one had problems with, just to list some, alignment problems, socks and springs noisy, transfer case shot in the middle of the highway at 75 mph. 4wd does not work as god as gm cars. parts are costy like honda and toyota. if you like to work on fixing cars, buy an hyundai sant-a-fail.

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  Fun to drive, great value! - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By gklblue - May 13 - 4:50 am

  Bought the 5 Speed Manual version with the sport package (17" Alloy Wheels, Sunroof, XM-Radio, etc.)in July 2009 and I looooove that car!!! Had to wait a week (manual is hard to get - dealer got it from a different state 240 miles away). I am from Germany so I love the european style (interior & exterior). Did a lot of research and the Touring was by far the best deal out there. Tons of standard features, overall quality is impressive, I get 26 mp (about 30% Highway driving). The handling is responsive, no complains here. The ride is a little stiff. Engine has enough power for the size of the car. Very roomy, I love the Hatchback versatility!!! Unbeatable Warranty!

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  Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By Ron Hoelzer - May 13 - 2:00 am

  Our company has a fleet of 7 Hyundai. We have owned a total of 12. Our cars are used mostly for in-town delivery and average 45,000/car/year. We have had minimal problems dispite hard driving and different drivers using the cars.

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  Driving is believing - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By nata - May 13 - 1:53 am

  compared camry, accord, and altima, and there is no comparison!!! great get up and go. nicely appointed. thought a car with this quality would be $3000 more, but was greatly surprised. and the warranty!!!!!

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  Driving is believing - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By nata - May 12 - 2:30 pm

  compared camry, accord, and altima, and there is no comparison!!! great get up and go. nicely appointed. thought a car with this quality would be $3000 more, but was greatly surprised. and the warranty!!!!!