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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  car - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By baroha - September 1 - 10:00 am

  The car is great

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  very satisfied - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Paul - August 31 - 5:50 pm

  this vehicle has many of the features only available in others as additional features and is really a pleasure to drive either in traffic or on the interstates or mountain roads. the fuel usage on highway or traffic has not yetbeen achieved, but vehicle has only been driven a little over 2000 miles.the sharp look of the vehicle makes it a very nice package to be proud of.

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  Hyundai will wow you! - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By r kelley - August 31 - 5:43 am

  This is our 3rd Hyundai and let me say this is one heck of a suv. To all who dont look at Veracruz before you buy, shame on you for the money and all you get this is the best buy on the market as Paul Harvey would say good day!

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  Fabulous vehicle! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By drwoodr - August 31 - 2:33 am

  We purchased our SE AWD back in March and just love it. Have had it on 2 long road trips, and it is so fun and comfortable to drive. I was a little reluctant about getting a Hyundai, but after owning the vehicle for 4 months, no regrets. We test drove the CRV and others, no comparison in value, features, and comfort. Many comments here about the poor interior lighting. Hyundai has corrected this on never production models, and they will fix older 2007 vehicles for free if you ask. My map lights now go on when the doors are opened. Great customer service from Hyundai USA on this.

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  WHY SPEND .20 TO .30 DEPRECIATION PER MI - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By GUMBALLMIKE - August 31 - 2:00 am

  I PITTED SEVERAL LOCAL DEALERSHIPS INTO AN EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLAR NEW CAR LOADED WITH OPTIONS! IF I KEEP THIS CAR THROUGH THE 100,000 MI WARRANTY IF SPENT JUST .08 PER MI IN DEPRECIATION....NOT TO MENTION THE ADJUSTMENT AFTER RESALE.....THESE NUMBERS STACK UP TO MAJOR SAVINGS OVER THE COMPETITION!!!!!

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  good value - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By economist - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Very well engineered--better than my Jimmy. Test drove a Toyota Highlander, too. Highlander had more power, space, and a luxury ride. Santa Fe had better steering, breaking, styling, and PRICE, and a solid, European sporty feel for the road. Its a perfect car for my wife. Would be for me if I werent 62", 210 lbs. Duck your head when you get in! Headroom fine once inside.

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  Tiburon - value and fun to drive - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By David Varnam - August 30 - 10:00 am

  My previous car was a Dodge Neon - what a mistake! By comparison the Tiburon is a delight to drive. Even the selling experience was not unpleasant. Two problems to date - both fixed quickly and at NO cost under the great warranty. Highly recommend this model.

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  WOW - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By tnc - August 30 - 10:00 am

  the car is a stunner to look at. always gets stares and the fit and finish, but the ride is not so hot and the engine should have much more horsepower. The dealers suck and they are no help AT ALL. the car is worth the money but it is not a lexus, bmw or toyota

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  Reliability - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By AdvancedCar - August 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is pure reliability. So far, the car has been excellent, performance and comfort. It is so quiet inside when driving and the leather seats are very comfortable.

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  What a Great Find! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jay Dubl U - August 30 - 10:00 am

  What a Great Car! After looking at the competition, this one won Hands Down! Powerful 4cyl engine, full power accessories, Leather!! very comfortable, Great handling, quiet inside, nice sound package, and the AC doesnt have to go past the first notch (In California!). Great design. Fun to Drive. And the Price!! the competition cant touch it.