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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  Absolutely love this car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By hyundaiowner5 - March 31 - 8:41 pm

  I cant say enough about this car. It has the style I want in a limited edition and the class I expect. I have 45,000 miles on it now and havent had a single problem. It drives so smoothly and is quiet even on the interstate. I wish the newer models were as sharp looking as this and I would definitely trade it in. My car payment is worth every penny on this vehicle.

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  Hard ride on rough roads of Northeast. - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Daniel - March 31 - 4:33 am

  This replaces a 1997 Lexus ES300. It lacks refinement and ride of that car but is peppy, an exceptional value, and is very stylish. The directional handling is not as good as the nine year old Lexus. On smooth roads the ride is very quiet but on the rough pavement of the Northeast the Azera ride is hard. You hear and feel every bump, not typical of the firm ride on entry level luxury cars. I should done a longer test drive. There are several quirky items in the electronics including headlights, memory features, and dash light dimming. Overall, the Azera is a significant step forward for Huyndai but they are going to need 1 or 2 model years of refinements to make it great car .

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  NO RESALE VALUE - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By supersoc_zk601 - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Bought it brand new in 2000, seemed like a good deal. Sporty, but the interior leather is junk and starts to wear right away. Not comfortable if you are tall.Forget trying to trade it in even at the dealership where u bought it. They will just tell you the market is dead and that they will give you 3000 below wholesale. The paint is garbage too it chips if you look at it funny.Never had any mechanical problems but I only had about 15k miles on it when I got rid of it. Under no circumstances should you pay over DEALER INVOICE for this car! And do not buy if you dont plan on keeping it for a long time.

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  What are you car reviewers thinking? - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By Thomas G. Wilson - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I have owned an xg 350 for over one month and find it to be a great car. Many reviewers complain of poor handling. I dont understand this. My car handles very well and at 3000 rpm the car does 92 mph! I dont know the top speed and aint a fixin to find out! If you want to drive in a rally, buy a BMW and spend $25000 more.

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  Cant Believe I Bought a Hyundai - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By FirstHyundai - March 29 - 5:06 pm

  Took delivery July 1 and already have 7500 miles. Was a little nervous about buying a Hyundai and for several weeks I was too embarrassed to admit I owned one. Then I realized. This is a great vehicle! Gas mileage is averaging 18- 20 and I do a lot of highway stop and go. Car is tight, no rattles. Engine has good pickup with a nice roar. 6 Disc CD doesnt put out enough volume but will have the dealer check it when I go in. Some luxury touches are missing like auto up and down windows, auto open sunroof, auto dimming rear view mirror, but hell its a Hyundai not a Lexus. Car does have a huge blind spot so you cant just rely on mirrors. All in all a great vehicle and I do highly recommend it.

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  Very Nice!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mark - March 29 - 4:26 pm

  After having bought many new cars and "lemons" I switched back to Toyota 5 years ago. I had a 4-door pick-up and decided I needed a sedan (more practical. After initally negotiating for a 2006 Toyota Camry V6 I came across the new 2006 Sonata. I nver completed negotiations with Toyota as I wound up leaving the Hyundai dealership with a new 2006 V6 silver Sonata and it is AWESOME!!! My congrats to Hyundai and building a quality vehicle that looks good and reacts well to driving condions. Also, kudos to the fact they offer so many saftery features as standard whereas Toyota charges $200 just for Carpeted mats!!

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  great buy - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By the great one - March 28 - 5:50 pm

  This is the best, most fun to drive, well styled, clean running car I have ever owned. Other than scheduled maintenance, only other repair was a new fuel sensor.

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  Own a 2005 Sonota needed a 2006 - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mgardne4 - March 28 - 12:23 pm

  We have found the 2006 Sonota to be an excellent car we own a 2005 and this 2006 is much nicer. More room interior, and very bolb exterior. Gas milage has been great 33-36 mpg mostly highway some city. Much quieter than the 2005 seems to have a little more get up and go. Very Happy!

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  So glad I got this car! - 2015 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By Dom - March 28 - 5:07 am

  This car is the jack of all traits. Im never asking more of it. I bought it with XXX,X33 miles on it. Right now I have X44,000 on it. Had it almost two year. Not one issue. Never asking for power. So fun to drive. I have all the features except the automatic transmission. The panorama sunroof is breathtaking. The leather is high grade. The sound system is better than most Ive heard. Im a pretty active 22 year old has great room for my friends and my items. Hyundai made the perfect car! Thank you!!!!

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  2006 sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By 2006 hyundai sonata - March 27 - 7:40 pm

  This is the 2nd sonata ihave owned and just like the other one NO PROBLEMS. Only this 2006 model is way better than the 2003 model.Rides better handels better roomier and quieter. The only thing i can complain about is the EPA gas mileage. It does not get what it says. Overall it is EXCELLANT and i can vouch for that.