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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  Wowza - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Obi_wan - August 23 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Sonata for my wife in Venetian Red. I look for excuses to drive it all the time. I found a very small imperfection in the paint. I took it to the dealership and they looked at it, agreed with me, and set me up with a free loaner while they had their body shop correct the problem. My wife receives compliments all the time from people about the car. Shes not a lead foot and is averaging 26 mpg in town driving to work and back home!

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  Oil Leak & Trans Issues - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By NDPA - August 23 - 6:13 am

  This is the first and LAST Hyundai I will EVER buy. I typically buy Honda (Accord, CR-V), but I bought the SF based on good reviews (Consumer Reports, etc.), enjoyable test drive, and apparent bang for the buck over the new CR-Vs. After 8K miles I have had 2 oil leaks (Timing Chain Cover Seal + cracked oil filter housing), & the intermittent transmission issues (hard shift, banging, lurching, etc.) that so many others have had. I will now crawl back to Honda for my next new car. Its a shame because without those MAJOR, inexcusable issues, the Santa Fe is an otherwise enjoyable vehicle. I thought Hyundai had done a 180 from the laughing stock it once was, looks like I was wrong.

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  Satisfied but not Excited - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By A.Fl - August 23 - 1:40 am

  I have owned this car for a few months, got it fire engine red with a 5pd manual transmission. I loved the look and the fact it was a manual, though a bright red coupe was not really in my best interest(Im a young driver, all I need is more attention on the road, right?). I had been shopping for a year and a half, and I got a great deal, so I ran with it. So far I am happy with everything except the engine power, which is adequate but does not lend itself to being a joy ride. Also, I am having a bit of trouble finding some basic performance parts to increase the HP. Basically, it meets but doesnt exceed expectations in this kind of vehicle.

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  Even more amazed... - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ike - August 21 - 2:13 pm

  Following up an initial review, I now have 10,500 miles on the car after returning from a 2500+ mile trip to Ohio in December. Needless to say,we experienced a mix of terrible winter weather, including freezing rain and snow, and the anti lock brakes and stability control performed flawlessly; this car is safe, stable, stops and handles great under all conditions. I deliberately slammed the brakes on on a deserted road covered with several inches of snow over ice, and the car stopped without swerving or fishtailing at all. I never wished for more power, even on long mountain upgrades, and the mileage was 28-30 mpg overall.

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  I Love This Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mary - August 20 - 2:50 am

  I love the way this car handles! It is so easy to drive, park, and maneuver. It is peppy and has a lot of get up and go. My husband and I first test drove the 2010 Sonata SE and liked it very much. We decided to test drive a 2011 to see if there really was a difference in how the car was redesigned. There was definitely a difference - even I could tell. There was no more considering the 2010; I knew the 2011 was for me. I purchased the Limited, it has everything but the navigation system. There is nothing about this car I do not like. The sound system is super - better than anything I have ever had in a vehicle. If you are in the market for a new vehicle, consider the 2011 Hyundai

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  Best Car Ive Owned - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By sas11 - August 19 - 9:02 pm

  The Sonata Limited is the nicest looking car on the road in my opinion. My friend called it "sexy"! Looks sporty inside and out. Handles like a dream and is fun to drive. But the best part is all the standard equipment you get for a low base price. I priced other cars and you have to pay extra for whats standard on the Sonata Limited. It is the best car Ive ever owned!

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  Very impressed - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By GWH - August 19 - 4:50 am

  While car shopping came across a 2008 Sonata and after a test drive, I was so impressed, I purchased a new 2009 Sonata. My research was very positive and all sources spoke on the great value and quality of this vehicle. I currently have 7500 km (4500 mi) on my Sonata. The vehicle has performed extremely well without one problem, not even any new car adjustments. I found the dealer, Steele Hyundai to be top notch! I had a Volvo S40 Major disappointment!

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  all the bang a lot less buck! - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hondo the Hyundai - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I have a 99 GL and this is a great car that i can rely on. I picked it up new for under $11,000 and it is as comfortable as my brothers 98 Honda Civic not to mention the Hyundai is faster. I will definetly buy a new Hyundai when this car wears out.

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  The Best Car in the World - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Juan - August 19 - 12:23 am

  If you want a sport car and you want it good and does not cost too much well go to a Hyundai auto dealership and you will get your match with the Tiburon.

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  Best value for 7-seater crossover SUV - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Wayne - August 18 - 11:20 pm

  Picked the Santa Fe Limited AWD over Toyota RAV4 (too small and cheap materials), Toyota Highlander (too expensive). Quite happy at the money saved and having a 7-seater for those times when we need 2 extra seats. The engine and tranny combo runs like a dream. Brakes arent bad for a 4000-lb car.