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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  70,000 miles and going strong - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By ChaseFranklin - November 20 - 3:00 pm

  I have 70K on my vehicle and have three minor issues; a recall, and twice the throttle sensor died and I had to have it towed in. I learned that the first was a faulty program which wasnt corrected when I had it towed first time. Now they have it nailed down. As to complaints from others; I dont know how youre driving, but I get 19.9MPG mixed and 24.5Hwy. I am 63" and find the space plenty large enough, and I do some serious driving. One thing - I changed tires this winter and found the Continentals are much better in snow than the Michelins it came with. Much happier with that change of rubber. Great car love it.

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  Goes from A to B - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Todd - November 20 - 2:20 pm

  Im disappointed in the gas mileage of the V6 -- I get about 23 MPG despite driving probably 60/40 highway/city. But its a smooth ride with zippy power. The interior is conservative but refreshingly intuitive control- wise. While the car floats along fine and has all the basic bells and whistles (love the sunroof, wish it had an iPod port), it could use greater fuel efficiency or benefit from a hybrid engine someday. In all, a good getting around car, nothing more.

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  More than I expected - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Sarasota - November 20 - 1:56 pm

  Having owned for about a week this car/truck is one great vehicle. All the research and test driving other vehicles this is the best hands down. There is so much quality in the detailing that I thought I was buying a Lexus. The infinity radio is just great along the the a/c that is so much better than my 2006 murano. These other car mfg better be looking over there shoulders.

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  Previous Maxima Owner - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By kytoepro - November 20 - 4:30 am

  My previous three cars have been Nissan Maximas. And while I have been satisfied with the ride and dependability of that car, I felt like I wanted something different. After reading all of the reviews and having test drives of some pretty good competitors, I chose the Sonata turbo. To me, the interior is as nice as the Mercedes C300 and nicer than the Lexus IS250 that I tested. The price was unbelievable for all of the options that I got (Limited, Turbo, nav system, Nitrogen filled tires). My purchasing experience was excellent and the warranty is great. I have had the car three days and it performs beautifully. I am very pleased with my purchase.

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  BUY IT NOW! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Radio Diva - November 20 - 1:03 am

  I have had my new Santa Fe for about a month now. I had driven one several years back, I bought it for the warrenty and gas mileage. I had a Tahoe and that didnt cut it. I LOVE IT! Its fun, zippy, and you cant beat heated seats and a sunroof, 10 year 100K bumper to bumper all for $22K !!! I have had no problems.

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  So Happy - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Randy - November 19 - 7:03 pm

  Looked to take advantage of the C4C deal and needed a car for my wife that would get good gas mileage, not overly priced and room for my wife to put all her cleaning supplies in as she has a cleaning business. The elantra touring was perfect. Plenty of room, great road manners, quite and great warranty. She was driving a rodeo and at first missed the seat height of the SUV, but really loved the way the elantra touring drove. Every day she tells me how she loves her new car. Very very happy with the elantra touring.

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  I LOVE this car! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By MW - November 19 - 9:36 am

  I bought this car used in December and have fallen in love with it! Why dont American car companies build cars like this? The gas mileage could be a little better. I am averaging 18 in the city and around 26-27 on the highway its much better than my Buick. The 3.3 v6 is very powerful more than youll ever need. Its also very comfortable and roomy. It drives like a dream at any speed. The only problem I have had is the power seat recliner broke. I certainly would buy another Hyundai car.

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  As Advertised so far - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By bgz9130 - November 19 - 4:03 am

  The first 2500 miles has been everything it was advertised to be. Good Quality, gas mileage along with adequate power and eye catching styling.

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  A Lemon - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By McQuade - November 18 - 12:00 pm

  This car was the most beautiful car I have ever driven or seen. I drove many GM, but this took my heart. For mechanical issues it was never ending. We work for GM dealership, we know mechanics, so to all who read this, pick your mechanic carefully, and keep all work orders. Just wrecked mine due to mechanic error, and cheep parts, buy the best quality parts, it might save your life, and question your Service manager on the parts replaced, I should have known better, but I trusted them. my heart is broken, could have been my life.

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  Good, Solid, Fun - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By turboyy - November 18 - 1:36 am

  I have 20,000 miles on my new Sonata. Its been a great car to drive so far with no major issues. Ive obtained fantastic gas mileage (37mpg) by combining the ECO mode, cruise control and a nice long highway. The paint is sexy and durable. The fit / finish is solid without any noticeable defects. Ive been completely satisfied with my service crew as well.