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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  2011 Sanata SE - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By 2011Sanata - March 21 - 1:03 am

  I love this car. I test drove the Limited and the SE and liked the SE a little better. It does have stiffer (sportier) ride but, the feel of the of the SE was just better for me. I think the seats are different too and I liked the feel of the SE. Plus I paid about the same price for the SE with sunroof/navigation package, as the Limited would have cost. I would recommend driving both before you buy. The proximity key is an amazing feature especially for this price range. Car is fun to drive. All around a great car with an amazing warranty!!!

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  great car - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Vooch - March 20 - 11:43 pm

  This is a great bargain of a car. I have yet to break it in but the V6 is strong. Ive driven front wheel drive cars for more than 10 years so its nice to get back into a rear wheel drive car. The driving dynamics are so much better. I have the Grand Touring and the ride is a good compromise. It doesnt beat you up but it handles great. I cant wait till gen 2.

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  First Hyundai - Great Choice - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pjay - March 20 - 6:23 pm

  Traded in my 1991 Camry (203K miles) and compared Sonata 4 cyl with add on package vs 2008 Accord and 2009 Camry, to see why I should pay $2000-2800 more for a Camry or Honda. The Accord was not as quiet as the Sonata at 35- 45mph especially, had a slight blind spot in mirror, did not include alarm, had less trunk space, lacked split rear fold back seats (single), but did have superior steering. Camry did not have standard ESC, the clock was in a strange location on dash (look up!), and the body lines on car were bland. At 1900 miles, the Sonata drives well and very quiet, has enough pick up, mileage at 31-32 (mix highway/local), love the XM radio and ipod dock,great trunk /rear seat space

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  Great value, good car so far - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By niteflite888 - March 20 - 8:03 am

  picked this car up recently. Decided to lease it since im not sold on hyundais resale value just yet. So far, this car is working out fine. MPG is less than what i had desired (25mpg in 50/50 mixed driving). Hoping for this to go up under the same conditions after its broken in. The features you get for the price are great. I have bluetooth, xm for 3 months, homelink, a trip computer. TPMS as well... unlimited miles roadside assistance for the duration of the lease (and more). The accord doesnt have the ubiquitous trip computer even when you step up to the exl trim (perhaps you need nav for it). the ride is average. sometimes feels cheap. but for the price itll do.

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  A great car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By EDH Guy - March 20 - 5:36 am

  Im very please with my 2007 Sonota. I own a 2005 Accord and the Sonotas quailty compares very well. The Sonota gas mileage is averaging about 24 mpg after two tanks of mixed driving. Sonota handling is less crisp that the Accord.

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  Best sedan under $40K - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Jim - March 19 - 12:00 pm

  Compared to Maxima, Avalon, even Lexus ES and Infiniti G35, this Azera limited edition outperforms in a solid way. It is cheaper, but that doesnt mean that performance is worse. I feel that the quality and performance are even competitive with Lexus GS or LS series. Excellent car. If youre looking for a TRUE luxury car at a reasonable price, this is THE car.

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  Nice Ride, Poor Mileage - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Prttyinuniform - March 19 - 12:16 am

  I love the Tuscon. Its versatile, it fits all of my needs for around town and trips. Plenty of room to add on: roof rack, trailer hitch, etc. My only complaint is that not once have we gotten the advertised mileage. We mostly use it in the city, but our mileage hasnt been above 15 mpg, far enough below the advertised 19mpg that we were promised. All in all, not a bad car for your buck. Far more features for less than the competetors price.

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  2011 Sonata Limited - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By t.buddy - March 19 - 12:00 am

  I was very excited to buy the 2011 Sonata Limited with the Navigation system. The features were great on the Nav but the sound is so low that you can hardly hear the instructions on Hwys and Fortunately it was windy and rainy so couldnt hear anything. So I bought it with out Nav! How could they not check the volume?!?!?!

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  2003 Hyundai Elantra - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Survived the Crash - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I am very impressed! I was hit in the rear bumper by an Acura at about 40-45 mph and rocketed into the stationary truck in front. The Acuras front end was caved-in with severe damage. Amazingly, the Elantra was fully in tact and the trunks door was not even dented, nor tail lights damaged, nor windows broken! The passenger cabin was untouched!! I could not believe it. The bumper and frame took most of the impact, and most damage was below the bumper inside the trunk and frame. Although the car was totalled due to rear frame damage, I drove it for 58 miles at 65 mph back to home and then the autobody shop with no problem. This car is strong!!!

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  Better than my 3 past Ford Explorers!!!! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Destiny - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Love this SUV! I researched SUVs and tested them for three solid weeks before leasing this car! You can not beat the value of this SUV, and it is loaded!Leather, heat seats, moonroof and it is fast! Love the look and feel! I was hesitant of a Hyundai but could not pass this SUV up! I have leased three Ford Explorers for the past nine years and this car beats them all in all aspects! Ford cars have gone up in price and the quality down! Fords service has also gone way down!! This car has quality at an unbeatable price and is better on gas! Faster than my Explorer and has a ten year warranty!