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 Value - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Young Choi - April 20 - 12:30 am

  This car is the best value for that price. Better than Toyota Avalon, Lexus 300 series. Quiet & smooth riding enjoy of the luxury.

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  Impressed with Our Santa Fe! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mark - April 19 - 7:36 pm

  We replaced a 2002 Toyota Highlander with the 2007 Santa Fe and have not regretted our choice. The new restyled Highlander would have been $8K more than the Santa Fe for the same features. The V6 powertrain on our Limited is smooth, quiet, and powerful and would make you think you are in a $50K Lexus. Overall features and quality appear to be top notch. Another family member has a 2003 Santa Fe (old body style) and has had a great experience. The only criticism is that the standard stereo (w/XM) on the Limited is somewhat weak, to get the upgraded Infiniti system you have to also get the rear entertainment system (DVD) which with no kids we dont need. Perhaps this is changed for 2008.

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  I Wanna Hug My Santa Fe!!!!!!! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Theresa - April 18 - 12:10 pm

  Ive had my SF for 2 weeks now and just LOVE IT!!! The only reason I researched it was because all the other SUVs were overpriced, so I was going to settle on a Tucson. The dealer didnt have a white one but a White Santa Fe GLS was parked right next to the Tucsons and I immediately fell in love with the gorgeous body style. After looking at the spacious interior and the beautiful blue colored dash, I test drove it and was SOLD!! I still did some research and price comparisons but I knew I was dead set on buying one. I ended up buying the SE trim because the options were so reasonably priced. Now when I carpool, I really miss my Santa Fe and want to hug it when I come home. =)

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  Killed a Charger! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By scapla - April 18 - 11:50 am

  I was on the fence, deciding between a Dodge Charger or the Azera. After driving both twice the choice was easy - Azera! Extremely comfortable, great ergonomics, and peppy to boot (0 to 60 in 6.5 seconds vs. the Charger at 6.3). Build quality and materials are very high quality and it has all the right nuances and amenities you would expect to find in a Lexus or Audi. My friend, who paid close to 50K for his Acura, was amazed by the Azera. Absolutely no buyers remorse at all. This is the first car Ive bought that I can easily see myself being happy with for 5 years.

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  Hope I made a good decision - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Carmen - April 18 - 7:43 am

  I researched hours on end looking for the right vehicle for my family. I was skeptical of Hyundai and its history. After reading all the reviews I made my purchase. So far am happy. Gas mileage is not that great but I knew that going in. There are just a few changes that I would make on the Sante Fe are that there is no button to push to open the rear door, my infant seat fits very tight, sitting right up against the front seats. Other then that I am really enjoying it.

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  I love it!! - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Brit - April 18 - 7:33 am

  For my first car I had the accent and i wanted something bigger. So i shopped around and the Tucson was what I was looking for. Good Pricing and a great SUV by far. No one could do better. Im with the rest of you, if milage is all your worried about get a car. The bigger the more mileage.. duh. I really like the Tucson.

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  Excellent small SUV - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By tina - April 17 - 2:23 pm

  I just bought this not long ago and Im very impressed. Hyundai is right up there with the competition no doubt. Great quality with the best warrenty! What more could you want?....go get one...youll be happy..

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  best purchase ever - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By dave.henning - April 17 - 2:00 am

  OVERALL: This car (00 wagon w/everthing) is the best big purchase I have ever made. 42K mi. - no repairs and no major disappointments. INTERIOR: The A/C is really strong, but it sucks power. Cupholders are lame. Back seat is small, but its fine if youre taking the work gang to lunch. FUEL: My one gripe has been fuel economy. As bad as 21 mpg, as good as 34 mpg. ENGINE: I can go >80mph and not feel like the car is straining. Its pretty quiet for a 4-banger. SUMMARY: Id get another in a second. I was considering the Focus, Legacy and VW Passat. I saved $2K-$13K and got all the car I needed.

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  THIS CAR IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING ON - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By SLIK - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR, AND LET ME TELL YOU, I LOVE IT. ITS BEAUTIFUL AND IT JUST FUN TO DRIVE AND STARE. I HAVE THE INTERIOR IN CHROME AND ITS JUST GORGEOUS INSIDE AND OUT. HYUNDAI HAS REALLY IMPROVED AND I BET YOU THAT IF THIS CAR HAD THE NAME HONDA, IT WOULD COST MORE THAN THE PRELUDE.

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  Wow what a car - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By fecports - April 17 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I purchased an LX in October that has been loads of fun to drive and is a real head-turner. So far it has been mistaken for a LEXUS and a JAGUAR. While it wont beat anything in the quarter mile, it will do 80 mph (which is my limit) without breaking a sweat. It is extremely comfortable behind the wheel and visibility all around the vehicle is great. It is loaded with all the features that I ever wanted in a car but didnt want to pay for and the warranty gives me piece of mind should anything go awry. I agree with the rough idle comment and the car is less then appreciative when asked to operate before the engine is warm.