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 premium Sonata Hybrid - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By jsaghir - March 31 - 7:21 am

  I purchased one of the first to sell in Massachusetts, and it has been better than expected. Styling, handling, gas mileage, navigation, roominess, quiet cabin, great value - it has it all. Im getting around 38 mpg, and I havent driven on the highway as much as I usually do, where I have seen it get 40 mpg.

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  Not a half bad car considering the price - 1992 Hyundai Elantra
  By Trogdor - March 31 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this Hyundai as my first car . Since then Ive been using it for delivering pizza. After adding over 40000km to it I have a few things to say. The following has gone wrong: Muffler fell off, $90. Shifter cable snappe...on the freeway, $114. CV boots tore off $40 (diy). Synchronizers shot, $1800 to rebuild ... yeah right. $150 for a wreck and a weekend later ta da :) Its actually a decent little beater. Good on gas, has had only the problems youd expect for an econo import with 200k+ on it, no body rust, not interior wear, and runs smooth as the day I got it.

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  Great Review of a Hyundai?!?! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By BasicTek - March 30 - 6:36 pm

  Taking a risk and buying a Hyundai after 11 years of ownership of a Nissan Maxima. There have been many doubts but so far this Hyundai keeps dispelling them. Unlike any other car Ive owned this one has prompted me to drive out of the way just for the sheer enjoyment of driving and listening to the amazing stock stereo system. For a mid sized car it comes awfully close to Cadillac in ride quality. If you need to save precious $$$ from a new Camry or Accord I suggest you take gander at this car before making a decision. Hyundai has a chip on its shoulder and it shows as their newer products may not be just closing the gap but jumping ahead instead.

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  2013 GLS w/ pop package - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By ricovanian - March 30 - 11:10 am

  Bought new about a week ago. So far, the biggest disappointment is the sound from the stereo. CDs, Radio, Sirius all sound less thanb acceptable. There is a general muddyness that is going to result in having to invest in an aftermarket stereo. Other negative is the "ride" is somewhat bumpier than I am used to with my 09 Accord and 06 Camry. You really feel every bump. Hoping that "breaking in the suspension and tires will help for Positives are: layout of dials, controls. Nice the parking brake lever is not in center of console. The car performs well on turns, pick-up if fantastic (I do not use the "eco" mode). And the car is very sporty looking (I got it in black with spoiler)

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  sonata gls v6 sedan (3.3l 6cyl 5a)steeri - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By 2006 Hyundai Sonata - March 30 - 12:33 am

  i traded in my 2001 honda civic for the the gls v6 sedan (3.3l 6cyl 5a). i have only 700 miles on it so far but i do like it a lot. this car is the same as an accord or camray for much less money and i also like the new design of the car. the ride is beautiful handles real well and fun to drive. ill buy another one!

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  Love it! - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Teresa - March 29 - 7:10 pm

  I drive this car A LOT and I really love it. My daughter frequently "borrows" it, so she must think its pretty cool too. I really like the way it looks inside and out and I LOVE the feel of the seats. The seats are so comfortable, they feel like they are just molded to your body. I love the way the hood is sculpted and the look of the instrumentation at night. I spend a lot of time in the car, I dont notice a lot of road noise or bumps. Very smooth and quiet.

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  Incredible Buy - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By BaGa - March 29 - 8:56 am

  Bought the vehicle 2 years ago and have had absolutely no problems with it at all. It is a great vehicle to run around the city in.

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  50/50 - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By BNom - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Love the ride has good pick up for a 4cyl. Had problems with the CD player.The color on the CD player is starting to rub off, driver side visor broke and cracked. Replaced the alternator(took two tries).Replaced brake pads at 20,000 miles mostly highway.Recurring check engine light.Overall you get what you pay for cheap car not completely reliable but generally runs great good gas mileage.***Read the fine print of the warranty statement on Hyundais website, the 10 yr 100,000 mile warranty appears to just be on the powertrain and most of the warranty expires on important parts of the car on years 1-3-5.

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  I love this car! - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Amy - March 29 - 12:06 am

  I have had this car (in chili pepper red!) for only 2 weeks, but Im in love. It has many of the features you would find in pricier cars, so its a great value. It handles great and its a comfortable ride. I previously owned a 2002 Elantra GT and in the nearly 8 years I owned it, I had very little mechanical trouble. It was a nice dependable car, so I am pretty confident in Hyundais reliability.

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  Weird smell from the front of the car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sunny Days - March 28 - 11:33 am

  Hi, I bought a 2011 Hyundai Sonata last month. I like the car very much. Its very quite, stylish and comfortable to drive with good economy. But, after driving for even a small distance like 10 miles and when I come out of the vehicle, I could feel a weird smell from the front of the car. One of my friends bought same type of car 3 months back and he doesnt have any such issue. I am curious to know whether it is a manufacturing defect or it is a normal behavior ? When I checked this with the dealer, they said it happens with some vehicles and not with all. They told me to wait till 6,000 miles. Can any one tell me what should I do ? I am really confused .