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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  Do not buy - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By unhappyowner - November 17 - 3:10 pm

  I have a 99 sonata. The reliability of this car sucks... I cannot remember a 3 month time span that this car has not been in the shop for something. The airbag light comes on 1 every 6 months, the oxygen sensors keep going out. There are 3 of them. Now after 60000 miles, the wheel bearing in the back tires have gone and it cost over 300 to replace the bearing as they do not sell only the bearing. It is the whole wheel mounting. And since it is front wheel drive the rear bearings are not covered by the power train warentee.

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  Toms XG350L - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Thomas E. Grill - November 17 - 3:06 am

  Im on the road every day and this vehice holds the road very well. My miles are all highway and this vehicle performs great with the more expensive models on the road.

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  Love the Santa Fe! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By tickleddpink - November 16 - 11:56 pm

  After six months, this SUV is still a gem! Its comfortable and has all the little things standard .Ive used it to haul bookshelves from IKEA and furniture to the Goodwill. It has a very smooth ride and its fun to drive. Zero problems in six months and its been the best vehicle Ive ever owned. Even better than my 92 Toyota Camry and 85 Cressida!

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  So good! - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By allgood - November 16 - 1:56 am

  I test drove all the compact SUVs on the market and finally decided on the Tucson. I never would have considered a Hyundai, didnt know anything about them as they are not widely driven in my area, but was suggested by a friend in another state because of the warranty. I read every review out there and liked what I read. I loved the car when I drove it, and it had all the options I wanted standard that I would pay thousands extra for in my other choices (Subaru Forester and Jeep Patriot were my top 2). I prefered the gas mileage and styling of the Patriot and reliabilty of the Forester, but when it came down to it the Tucson won out overall. It is a very stylish car and fun to drive.

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  Terrible ride - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Don - November 15 - 9:53 am

  At first glance it looks like a lot for the money but on closer inspection the interior is cheaply constructed, you cannot transfer the phone book from your cell phone and the seats have no real lateral support. But all of this pales in the face of the terrible suspension. The ride is rough and jittery with a tendency towards porpoising on almost all surfaces, even those that appear to be smooth and or recently paved. I would test drive the heck out of a potential purchase and if you experience the slightest bit of what I have described, pass on it and look at something else. No other car that I have driven in recent years, of any price point, has these awful ride characteristics.

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  Not a bad car. - 2018 Hyundai Sonata
  By Michael Perillo - November 14 - 9:11 pm

  Dot believe the EPA figures on this car. Ive had 2 straight Sonatas, 2.4 engine. I get 16 city, 31 highway, always on ECO. THe car is comfortable, reliable and attractive. It is quiet. It gives you a lot of amenities but those darn mileage figures wont increase.

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  Sonata is fantastic - mpg over 30!! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dan C - November 14 - 9:50 am

  My Sonata is the SE V6 model. This car is really amazing. The V6 rolls down the interstate at 75-80 with no effort at all. Have just gone by 13k miles. Once this got to around 12,000 miles, the fuel economy was almost unbelievable. Now averaging over 30mpg with set @ 75mph!! Handling is great. Seats are really comfortable. If theres better performance coupled with fuel economy in a V6 with 250 hp, Id be surprised. We bought this over the Accord, Camary and Malibu and so for have NO regrets at all!!

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  Crappy, Crappy Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ron - November 13 - 5:41 pm

  Hyundai makes absolute junk! I have a 2011 Sonata where the engine completely failed at 61,000 miles with ZERO warning. A quick Google search let me know I wasnt the only sucker that got stuck with one of the worst engines since the Internal Combustion engine was developed. Let the Buyer beware! Buy this heap at your own risk. You will regret it. I hope the company goes bankrupt.

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  Back For Another One! - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Elyse - November 13 - 3:03 am

  I bought a Tucson in 2005 (its first year) being a bit hesitant at that time of the brand, but wanting a SUV and loving the affordable price. Well after five years, 100,000 miles, and NOTHING ever going wrong with it, I decided to buy a new one. With its new slicker exterior and interior, the 2010 has a bit more to offer. I opted for the all wheel drive this time, and the ride isnt as smooth, but the added features have been nice.

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  Its Grrrrrrrrrreat!!!!! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Jim - November 12 - 7:26 am

  This is one SUV that offers a luxury SUV feel with out the luxury SUV price. Great suspension, and gas mileage makes this car a great buy. I have ridden in other expensive SUVs but none compare to the feel of the Tucson. If I had to do it all again I would still go in the same direction.