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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  Probably Best in Class - 2013 Hyundai Azera
  By romil01 - April 10 - 3:08 am

  In a class that includes cars such as the Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, and Buick LaCrosse, the Azera is probably the best. I leased a 2013 Azera with Tech in Feb and have put about 2,500 miles on the car so far. The car is amazing, especially compared to the 2011 Sonata GLS base model I upgraded from. The base model Azera comes standard with features that you have to get pricey options packages on the competitors in order to have. The Tech package adds a lot of cool features as well. This car is very nice to drive and it stands out visually when placed next to its competitors. There arent very many Azeras on the road so it is also relatively unique.

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  Great Car, Fun to drive (SE) - 2013 Hyundai Accent
  By realquiet - April 7 - 12:48 pm

  My wife and I were looking for a commuter care (90% city/10% highway). With stop lights every mile to half-mile we are averaging 28 to 29mpg (w/o AC). This breaks even with my 06’ Civic (5-speed manual). As I am use to driving a manual, I do find that the automatic transmission could be more responsive and that the car shifts up a gear a little too early (to improve fuel economy). For example, this is annoying when traffic goes from 35-25-35: Civic (3rd-3rd-3rd) / Accent (4th-3rd-4th). While the 6-speed automatic has shorter gear ratios, I still feel like it is shifting too early and this causes the RPMs to spike and the car to pull forward more eagerly than anticipated.

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  I love my Sonata - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By youcantseeme - April 5 - 2:09 pm

  I have 125k+ Miles on my car and its still going strong! I was told it gets 21-24 city miles per gallon, but I get 26-31 mpg as long as Im keeping up with maintenance and what not (air filter changes, oil changes, etc. also have fuel efficient tires) I also drive on cruise control as much as possible which makes a huge difference. the interior is comfortable and roomy, the exterior is pretty standard. No complaints. only repairs Ive needed so far were very minor ones that are to be expected or were just standard maintenance (aka windshield wipers, headlights, new brakes, new tires, etc.) but the car runs like a dream.

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  Genesis 4.6 Rocks My World - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By 3xhyundai - March 25 - 9:20 am

  Third Hyundai I have bought. First a Sonata GLS, then a Santa Fe Limited for the wife, now it was time to upgrade to the Genesis 4.6L. This car is what I call an "upper-middle class" luxury car. It has all the options that the top German and Japanese automakers offer, but for much, much less. Granted, I have only had the car for 12 days, but it is everything I dreamed it would be. I look for excuses to go out of the house just so I can drive it. Great power, great interior features, looks like a million bucks and will turn some heads. Had four State Troopers stop and check it out in the parking lot at lunch last week. I dont think they knew what it was.

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  Outstanding value, power and handling - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By aseries - March 23 - 12:20 pm

  Our 2006 Hyundai Sonata LX has 68,000 miles. My wife used it for daily commuting for 5 years with an occasional road trip. We are both retired now and it is mostly used for road trips around Minnesota and one or two long trips to Arizona and other vacation spots. It is by far the best family car I have owned. I have it regularly serviced at our local Hyundai dealer and I have experienced only one minor issue with rear brakes. Otherwise...zero problems. It is a joy to drive on the highway or twisty back roads. I am on my second set of tires and brakes. This week I will replace the original battery. We fully intend to keep this car forever, God willing.

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  update on 2011 Elantra Limited - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By youngblood - March 16 - 12:22 pm

  Now have 13,500 miles with no change in gas mileage due to "break-in." On the highway, still get 33 mpg at 75-80 mph 35-36 mpg at 65 mph and 38-40 mpg at 55 mph. City driving (avg. 25 mph) is 22-24 mpg. Mileage is better with "regular" gas vs. 10% ethanol blend. No mechanical problems although I was told that rear wheels cannot be aligned - no adjustment possible. Ride is harsh and noisy at times. "Leather" seats are comfortable and showing no wear yet. Still get compliments on appearance of car.

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  Windshield & Bluetooh - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By vancouverelan - March 8 - 12:01 pm

  I have read a number of the reviews and while my issue is not gas mileage (I get it, though), my issue is visibility. I have felt that the design/sleekness of this model makes the windshield posts more of a detriment to seeing left/right and I have to physically move more to ensure I dont hit anything when I am making a turn. Im 510 so its not like I cannot see but I have found this very disconcerting. For a year, my HTC paired on incoming calls & now it wont. Outgoing is fine, incoming - dead. No idea why.

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  R Spec Genesis WOW!! - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By luv2nou2 - February 23 - 10:36 pm

  429 HP! 429 HP! Unbelievable size engine for this beautiful car! Hyundai engineers out did themselves on the exterior design, moderate pass on interior (whats with the Accent Steering wheel?). Cant complain, you get a lot of stuff for this price! Lexus pfft! MB pfft! BMW pfft! For this price you cant go wrong! Outstanding value! Outstanding Warranty! This car averages about 21 MPG in our first 800 miles? Not bad for 429 HP!! Sound system is INCREDIBLE! 17 speakers put you in another world! Harmon Kaden, Bose & Fender have nothing on this Lexicon system.

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  Where are these! - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By 1514mb - February 15 - 11:09 pm

  I have been interested in the Hyundai Azeras for a while and finally found a good price on a used one. With 78,000 miles on it I still cant believe how well it looks and drives. What really surprises me is how little these gems sold in America. For the money I dont believe there was a better buy in this class. All cars have issues and for what you pay for this car, and the amenities you receive it is amazing. I cant wait to buy one of these brand new some day. Great job Hyundai and Kia!!!!!

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  2006 Hyundai Sonata LX V6 - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By mogulprinceton - January 29 - 6:14 pm

  I dont understand... When I fill my tank up it says 350 miles to empty every time but the MPG estimator say 318.6 CITY /477.9 HIGHWAY. My Sonata has 31,000 miles on it and its 7 years old. After while the car becomes uncomfortable on long rides a hour or so into the drive. Its hard to take off from a red light without the wheels spinning causing a ruckus. The body roll is insane when turning at spends higher that 15mph. The 235 @ 6,000 RPM and the 226 lb-ft Torque @ 3,500 Torque RPM is to much for the front tires.