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 the car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By kgibbs29 - March 30 - 9:50 pm

  Out the door price just over 23K! And I get ESC, TC, EBDS, Homelink, Heated Leather Seats, over-sized Moon Roof (its big), subwoofer & amp. Car is very well built and the fit & finish is better than Camry, on par w/ Accord. The interior is soft to the touch. Love the way the engine growls, especially in low rpms. Lots of low end torque for fast acceleration from dead stop. Downshifts smoothly during high speed passing. Nav is a $2500 dollar dealer installed option. Remove cd changer & replace w/ 8-9" screen. (visit Korean Hyundai site to see it) Hyundai uses Eclipse deck (very high quality, installing next month)

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  First SUV - 2009 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Denise - March 30 - 12:46 pm

  I bought my first compact SUV. Love it so far. I am 66 so had running boards installed to help my older friends get in. Love riding high. Pickup is a little slow but after that, great. I am really enjoying the vehicle and get great comments from my friends.

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  Hyundai XG 350L - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Hyundai - March 30 - 5:30 am

  This car is stylish and has many standard features. With the L model there are more comfort features. I enjoy driving the car and it handles well.

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  My Excellent Car - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
  By Morgalis - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. It is the first "New" car that I have bought and if I plan on buying a new one I will probably buy a new Elantra or upgrade to another Hyundai. They are wonderful cars to drive and so reliable!!!

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  New Tires Please - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By Grapeman - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Excellent build quality. The only downfall is a severe handling problem with the small, soft tires. I drive a very windy road to work every day and the Accent is very spooky on some curves. The tires feel like they are going to fold under. It reminds me of the old beetle. It a shame Hyundai cant spend a little more on safer, quality tires and wheels for an otherwise solid car.

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  saab twin - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By nosaab - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Is this car a Saab, yes I tell strangers. This car is fun. Plain and simple. I get looks from everyone. The 4door hatchback GT is stylish, $15k sticker for this Saab lookalike and its loaded with leather seats. Champagne tastes on a beer budget is possible!!

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  Great buy for the money! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Manuel Duran - March 29 - 11:06 pm

  Very comfortable ride, excellent braking performance, acceleration and comfort. Steering is an excellent plus and its an easy to maneuver vehicle.

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  A Previous Veracruz Owners Review - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ultcar - March 29 - 10:07 pm

  The media said that the 2013 Santa Fe LWB was a Veracruz replacement, but it is not so in reality. They basically nerfed many of the standard convenience features on the Veracruz LTD, so I expect that Hyundai is developing a true Veracruz replacement in the near future. That said, the 2013 Santa Fe Limited is a refined piece of work in its own right. The chair is very comfortable and adjustable and the technology package makes the car feel connected. I do concede that the design outside and inside are several notches ahead of the Veracruz.

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  Love it. - 2009 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Max - March 29 - 9:23 am

  Just purchased this vehicle. It seems to be extremely well built, rides like a dream, has classy interior, great looking. My wife absolutely loves the vehicle. Replaced a 2007 Santa Fe Limited with this unit. Hyundai has really made huge inroads into the Luxury SUV field.

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  Our was a Lemon, Manufacturer didnt care - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jsb71 - March 28 - 12:55 pm

  The problems with our 2013 Santa Fe Limited (2.0L AWD) began last July when the engine died (rattling noise in cylinders). Shop foreman requested full engine block replacement, but Manufacturing Company only approved short block. Car was returned 30 days later (no rental given) and continued to have problems. 5 months later, we are back at the shop, having the engine replaced again. Dealership is working with us on a replacement vehicle deal, for which we are thankful, but the Manufacturer has shown no compassion. We will be going to court to reclaim lost time with the car over payments and insurance costs.