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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  My other Mercedes Benz - 2013 Hyundai Azera
  By Frank Anthony - March 5 - 11:06 pm

  After owning 3 Mercedes E-Class sedans, we bought this car for $22,000 less and after driving it for 4 years and 43000 miles I say it is better than the Mercedes. It doesnt cost $2000 per year to maintain. Doesnt need new brake pads at 23,000 miles and tires at 30,000 miles and on and on. Now have 37,000 miles and it is 3 years old. definitely the least expensive car to maintain that I have ever owned. Cant say enough about the quiet comfortable ride.

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  New Santa Fe problems - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rick - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Car ride is ok but tires are noisy. AC unit goes out on hot humid days, dealer says cant replicate. Breaks squealed when new, deal said couldnt replicate. Major problem with transmission, auto trans. slips down shifting and upshifting between 20- 40 mph, bringing in next week, hoping dealer doesnt say cant replicate. Would never buy another Hyundai, will sell this one soon.

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  Great Ride - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Corey - March 5 - 2:00 am

  We traded in a 2005 2.0L Tucson for this vehicle. Our Tucson had been a reliable car. No probs of any kind in 5 yrs, but we had just outgrown it. And we needed more safety features (6 airbags) and a more comfortable ride. The dealer was clearing out the 2010 Santa Fes. We got a 6K rebate. Car was reduced to 23K (Canada). Car is a bargain at this price. 276 HP with 6 speed tranny. Smooth acceleration, tons of power. At 120 KM car is 2000 rpm. Quiet cabin. Lots of storage. Very much a sedan like ride. Great family car. Only had a month, but so far extremely happy. Drove the 2.4L. found it underpowered. Go with the 6 if yer considering it.

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  bang for your buck - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By JJ - March 4 - 9:43 am

  I am impressed - not much out there that delivers that much value. 100K, 10yr bumper2bumper warranty upgrade is a no-brainer. The quality is convincing, the design well thought out. Plenty of room and the air-vents in the cargo area are perfect for dog owners. Low-tire pressure warning - nice touch, but the tires are not something to write home about... I hope the mpgs will come up a little as the engine settles in. Handles really well, smooth, quiet ride (which would probably improve quite a bit with better rubber). However, be prepared to sit in the dark, if you have the DVD installed - the interior light in the back does not do much for the front row - the front ones are for reading only!

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  Good Car - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Spencer Dardon - March 3 - 2:00 am

  Get a standard performs much better.

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  Car with No problems - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By vignesh - March 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought this on 09/99 for the past 4 years i dont have any problem with this vehicle.I think this could be due to the fact i am religiously doing manufacturer recommended services and 3k oil change.

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  My Tuscon - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Bob0a - March 1 - 4:30 pm

  I bought this as a in town run-a-round. I have found this to be a excelent choice for this. I have used the load area twice and have found the flat folding seats easy to lower and raise. The MPG is holding at arround 19 MPG of intown driving. I have curently 1500 miles on it and am pleased with my choice.

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  Cool SUV - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Merrie - March 1 - 9:13 am

  I have enjoyed driving the Santa Fe for nearly a year. I have taken it on trips and drive in heavy traffic. I holds up well and comfortable to ride in. It has separate cup holders so it is easy to reach your drink not the passangers. The down side so far is the back seats when folding them down you have to take off the head rest and the seats still dont lay down flat.

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  My dream car - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Marci - March 1 - 2:00 am

  This was my dream car. I have owned a total of 3 Hyndais now and think that they are the most reliable cars made. I have never had a moments trouble with any of them and just keep upgrading until now thay I have bought my dream. The car handles beatuiful, I have now had to drive it in a few snow and ice storms and it handles beatuiful, with the 6 speed and lots of power the car is fun to drive.

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  Fun to drive, great mpgs - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Brad - March 1 - 1:40 am

  We had a 2006 Sonata GLS V6, which we loved. It had 83,000 miles without a problem. It was totaled recently in an accident so we were forced to go car shopping. I test drove a Mazda 6 and Ford Fusion, but new 2011 Sonata is a very impressive car. New GDI engine is very efficient. Doesnt necessarily sound pretty, but quiet once going with very adequate power. The new 6 speed shifts great, keeps rpm low when driving easy and downshifts quickly when asked too. MPG 33-37 for us so far. We bought the GLs for the slightly softer seats and slightly better ride than the SE. Our two tone tan/black interior makes car look more expensive than it is. Paid $19,800 with Hyundai loyalty.