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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  Competitive Build, Great Value - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By JR - November 8 - 2:56 pm

  After test driving all the obvious competitors, I purchased my Sonata. The value and warranty are impossible to beat. Ive had to deal with a few minor quirks that the dealership cant/wont fix (strange dash panel fit around the radio, rattles coming from the windshield and the rear headliner). The exterior design is nice (looks like the offspring of a late-model Accord and an Audi A4) and the interior is decent. The manual mode on my auto transmission is a bit odd - it always feels like it lags behind my input when shifting. Overall, a great car with an exceptional warranty.

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  Trailer pre-wiring - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By drivetofly - November 7 - 8:46 pm

  My opinion is that the trailer pre wiring package is a fraud. THere is no adapter to plug and play into the fittings on the vehicle. The wiring harness available from the manufacturer splices into brake lights. This should be considered a major manufacturing defect.

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  Wait just a minute - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Craig - November 7 - 7:33 am

  My suggestion to anyone considering buying this car, test drive it at night on a road not well lit. the line of vision from the headlights is terrible. I find myself constantly using my high beams to see. Also you have to be at a complete stop to reset the trip odometer, so if you are using mapquest and want to reset point to point you have to stop the car? what genius devised this? Defroster doesnt work, i am taking to the dealer on Monday, the service manager seemed miffed. Glove box rattle is a design flaw had to fix myself with a small piece of Velcro. Its a decent car, my fear is the car is in such demand that more quality issues will arise from production output pressures.

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  1999 Sonata - Excellent Value - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By Canon - November 7 - 2:00 am

  Overall, an excellent vehicle considering the initial investment. No problems at all to report. Fun to drive and handling is above average for a 4-door sedan. Performance was enhanced by the addition of a K&N air filter (highly recommended) with 0-60 times cut by 1 second. This engine wants more air! Interior comfort only compromised by the inclusion of the cup (?) holders. Dont use them! The quietest ride this side of an SEL 500. Watch the speedo on the highway - at 140KM/h youll be wondering why its so quiet. Biggest complaint - it dints easily. Soft outer skin.

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  Great vehicle for the price ! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Frank Corwin - November 6 - 9:46 pm

  Being a "Toyota Family" for the most part, I decided to go test drive other SUVs and compare some of what the market now has to offer. I was impressed with a few, (the CRV, the RAV-4, and Highlander) but most rides were let downs to my expectations. I have to be honest and say I was pessimistic stopping in at Hyundai to test drive the Tuscon. I took a look at the standard equipment on the vehicle and was shocked to see side curtain airbags as standard equipment. Then after taking it for a test drive and discovering that although the power was not great for the 4 cylinder, it was okay. It must have been. I went home that night and did my calcuations and found that Hyundai was best for my wallet.

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  YES, Its a Hyundai!!! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By David Hennaman - November 6 - 1:16 pm

  I walked into the dealership and after 15min test drive, I walked away with a black fully loaded Tucson. As soon as I sat in the car, I could feel the high level of quality. The car feels a little too heavy for a small ute when driving but it gives you a secure and solid feeling. Hands down a great purchase!

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  Nothing better for the price - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By J.C. - November 6 - 11:53 am

  If you are looking for a sporty, economy car, this is it! The others in its class dont even compare, especially on price and warranty. At 65" and 230lbs, I just do fit (more headroom if Id not gotten the sunroof), but what a great commuter car.

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  My 2nd Hyundai - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Young - November 6 - 4:40 am

  After my 7 yr old Elantra got rearended and totalled, I simply went back to Hyundai and bought a Sonata. I wanted to buy another Elantra originally but decided to upgrade. Im very sad to lose my beloved Elantra who saved me from 3 accidents in total but also Im happy to be a proud owner of another Hyundai. I strongly trust their safety and reliability. For 7 yrs I had absolutely zero problem with the Elantra. I paid $17,700 for my Sonata with premium pkg after loyalty discount and cash rebate. Pleasant exprience at the dealership. Sonata isnt as quiet as Camry. But still very quiet & great handling esp. at corners. Very roomy and great pickup w/ 4 cyl. Very responsive break. Great car!

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  Hyundai Elantra 2000 - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By JewlToU - November 6 - 2:00 am

  I have had water leaks twice on drivers side front, keyless entry broke 4 times before they finally replaced actuator, trunk floor collapsed from normal use, radio/cd shorted out, car battery died after 2 years. Back window trim came off after 6 months. Totally disgusted and cant wait to trade it in. My suggestion, get rid of the car before the warranty runs out.

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  Big Bang for the buck - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By jay t - November 5 - 2:00 am

  This car has performed fine so far the ride is smooth and quiet seats are comfy leather is excellent heated seats will now always be a must have. audio has great sound i would recommend this car forget about what the neighbor says its your cash you save and tha car is well worth it especially if your like me and put 200000 miles on a car. the warenty has been great they even replaced a headlamp free.