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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  Awesome vehicle - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By ddiverd - October 5 - 4:46 am

  I received the first hybrid Sonata to be sold in New York state. I immediately bonded with this car, it is one of the best vehicles I have driven, given the type. The styling is great and I will be using it to commute on a daily basis. The ride is firm, but also tight, handling is straight on. I traded a 2007 Camry, and it far surpasses that car. The interior fit and finish is superb, with brushed aluminum accents on the door and dash. The car looks like a much more expensive ride, and is styled differently than a regular Sonata. I wanted this car ever since I saw it in Motor trend. Averaging 39.5 mpg at this time, on the road and 35.5 in the city. Amazing car, leaves the Prius in the dust.

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  Happy with purchase - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Recommend - October 4 - 10:00 pm

  Wish I had the V6. However, I got a great performing 162hp 4 cyl. w/ excellent MPG and price paid was below invoice. Cost savings offset my preference of V6. I must be a performance oriented driver. 2nd wish: Stiffer suspension. Im not looking for stiff suspension. I would prefer variable rate resistance that increases when the springs and shocks reach compression. It would improve cornering on rounded on-ramps. Interior noise levels could be quieter. Depending on road surface, noisier than expected on anything but smooth surface roadways. Still, satisfactory. Overall, a GREAT car. The foregoing are acceptible consequences of cars budget orientation. Terrific car!Happy overall.

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Finetooner - October 4 - 2:51 pm

  Thus far, it does practically everything better than any similar car I have owned. It is loaded with amenities, has a huge backseat, is peppy, handles very well, and has been dead-reliable. It is an ideal commute car...very nimble, meneuverable, and squeezes into places other cars cant. Yet, it cruises the interstate with ease and is very steady and predictable. Drawbacks? Very few but here are a couple: It eats high and low beam lights. The CD player is inop and AM reception is poor. Wow, thats about it. A great little car and a great value.

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  Worth the price - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bekka - October 3 - 9:28 pm

  I bought the car @ 64K from my sister, the original owner. I really had no major problems with this car until about 128K, and even in the past 3K miles Ive had to replace (the original!) timing belt, serpentine belt, upper ball joint and crankshaft pulley (which I think was mechanics fault) I had several things replaced by the warranty, no problems-the most major one was the alternator. I think that the transmission is starting to go, and the performance has dropped a lot now, but @ 131K for a less expensive sedan, I dont think its that bad. Up until 125K I absolutely adored this car, worry-free.

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  Its a Korean Miracle - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Edward Jones - October 3 - 3:20 pm

  When you ride on a Sonata 2000 is a big change from the predecesor models. It runs soft and quiet. One thing of many I like most is the fuel efficiency on road, specially on this times of high fuel prices.

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  Good SUV - 2012 Hyundai TUCSON
  By tfarina - October 2 - 3:06 am

  Hyundai continues to surprise. This is fine, reliable SUV. Packed with safety features and excellent build quality. Over 5 thousand miles and no problems. Gas mileage is good too. Between 25 and 30 mpg if you stay within speed limit. If Hyundai addresses road noise, ( loud on course pavement ) this vehicle will move to the top of the class.

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  i like it - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By p wood - October 2 - 2:00 am

  just purchased in oct.03,not many miles yet but i have to say that so far im very happy with the car as a hole.good ride,tight,no squeaks,good workmanship.- --3.5 engine is powerful enough for me,and the trans. is smooth.got it in the moonlight blue and it is a kick ass color,lots of compliments.

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  Over sold - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By secrets - September 28 - 4:24 am

  We bought this car strictly for the fuel economy. We were trading up from a 23mpg vehicle to a 40mpg car. We have never gotten more tha 35mpg with an average of 30.1mpg. I normally never buy new, and I will not buy a hybrid ever again. Knowing then what i know now i would have bought the cheaper turbo model. We are very disapointed with the MPG.

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  Fun Ride - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By lee w - September 27 - 3:36 am

  Basically I have had very little trouble with the car aside from a rattle in the rear that they have not yet fixed. I like that nobody around seems to have one but they all ask about it.

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  My Cheap SAAB.. - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By joffficer - September 25 - 10:00 am

  After a long search for my second New car the GT won! Ive owned over 20 cars (most used), but the Hyundai has been one of the best picks so far. Fit and finish are great as well as the options included. The interior is very comfortable for me and my wife, and plenty of useable room. Even with the auto it has good power, and Ive been averaging 25-30 mpg with mainly city driving. Handling is very good for a front wheel drive car, and the stock tires hold well in snow/rain and dry conditions.