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:

• 

  t - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By EZZWHO - June 30 - 7:00 am

  the front end had a pinching noise when the steering was compleatly turned in either direction, And the car was in a compleate u turn with weight bearing down on which ever side the wheel was turned might jus be an isolated fault,

• 

  Excellent Value for the Price - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By deis - June 30 - 2:47 am

  We had a 2004 Sonata and the only problem I had with it was a battery during the 7 years that we owned it. Naturally when the 2011 was introduced we went to check it out and were impressed. I took my wifes advice and purchased all of the options which included the navigation package. The 4-cylinder engine on this car accelerates much better than the 6-cylinder Sonata we had before. The keyless ignition is great. The ability to open the doors without a key is very convenient so that you dont have to go searching for keys in your pockets or purse. I have read a very few negative customer reviews on the Sonata but overall most people are pleased with this car. It performs well overall.

• 

  Sonata99 - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ba1976 - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Sonata for a little over a year and for the most part its been a decent car however within the last 3 months I have had the O2 sensors reaplaced and the spark plug wires replaced twice as well as the transmission going out. Also my locks started locking when I start the car and unlock when I turn it off but my keyless entry quit working.Hey Lose a feature gain another.Think ill buy an acura next

• 

  I love this car - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Imissmycar - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Im in the military and I am currently overseas right now and I miss my car very much. I got it about 5 mounths ago and I have been nothing but pleased.

• 

  97 Hyundai Accent GT - 1997 Hyundai Accent
  By Toxa - June 29 - 2:00 am

  EXTREMELY RELIABLE: vehicle has over 100K now. The only things I ever had to change were battery, thermostat, battery cables and windshield washer pump. Very good handling and performance for the price. Very roomy inside. Durability of paint was very poor though, and the ride could be more comfortable. Also rather noisy, but it is normal for the class.

• 

  Just brought home a 2012! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By 2012firstlook - June 29 - 12:41 am

  My wife and I were finally in the position to buy a new car. We were shopping for crossovers when my mother called me to tell me about the hail damage sale at the Toyota dealership. Thinking we may get a deal we drove a BRAND NEW Camry with hail damage that (white too, looked like a golfball) the air conditioning was inoperable on, was still priced out of our range. Disgusted, my wife and I decide "What the hell, were our lets look at a Hyundai" We were greeted and shown to the lot and just as the doors opened, there was a Sonata. We were in love at first sight. After driving the golf ball, and the Sonata within 15 minutes of each other, I had to have the car.

• 

  Love my Santa Fe - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Happy1 - June 28 - 10:00 am

  All I wanted was a utility vehicle to carry the things you usually cant fit into a sedans trunk, like furniture, large boxes, garden equipment,etc. I got a lot more. This little SUV has plenty of room for people and cargo. It has a good looking, comfortable interior with all the necessary bells and whistles. It handles and rides like a sedan. Im a 225 lb six-footer, and Ive got plenty of room. Even with my drivers seat in a comfortable position, an adult can sit behind me with ample legroom. The vehicle was built very well, with absolutely no defects.

• 

  my-tibby - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By sideoffice - June 28 - 10:00 am

  good car for the price. fun to drive. never had a problem with the car except for the read defroster. the dealer replace the rear defroster/rear glass. good dealer service

• 

  Easy to own - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By CTgal - June 28 - 9:14 am

• 

  GOOD CAR - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By KyCat - June 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new and have driven it for almost 3 years. It has had minor problems but everything was covered and fixed under the 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. Overall, it is a good vehicle and I will probably buy another. I feel sorry for anyone that has paid $25,000 or more for a Honda or Toyota with the same features as this vehicle because they have been robbed. I paid $17,090 "out the door" (which means everything was included in the price, such as taxes, tags, freight, processing fees, etc....)