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:

• 

  The Best I have ever owned ! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Vince - August 1 - 8:36 am

  When driving through Alabama in Sept .05 and staying at a motel a stranger saw my 03 Sonata and asked me if i liked the car.My reply was a yes, he said if you like this one wait until you see the new 06 Sonata, well wait i did, on june 28th i bought a gls V- 6 .Let me say that the 10 month was worth it.The new Sonata is everything I expected and more, a world class head turner with great power looks and handeling and a price ever i can afford.

• 

  Best true value for your hard earned buck - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By EP1 - August 1 - 6:07 am

  A very good handling car, the car is very quiet while one the road, The car has a very comfortable ride both in the city and on the highway, the dashboard design and placement of controls are excellent, the soft blue back lighting is soft on the eyes, the sport seats are very comfortable and adjustable, having the power heated seats are a nice added plus. I have the sport tech package, I came very close to purchasing the Honda Accord with the sport package but the deciding factor was; Honda does not offer Sirius radio, or even offer telematics like blue link in the sport package, and the 10 year 100,000 warranty was what sold me for Sonata

• 

  Hyundais first step to giant automaker - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Rich - August 1 - 5:53 am

  I bought VC LTD FWD last week. I was considering RX350 or MDX. However, I was able to get the same kind of car for much less price. The only different is there is no "L" logo on the hood. It has "H" instead. The one that I got came with Ultimate option package with price tag $36.5K. It was hefty considering it is Hyundai. However, with my trade in, I got it for $30K and I was extremely pleased with it. This car has not been advertized much. Once PR reaches the public, the popularity will go up. Accordingly, the discount factor will be stiffened up. I am glad that i had a good deal for a car with three rows, roomy, DVD, sun roof.

• 

  LOVE MY CAR - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Sandra Long - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Proformance very good,good looks,comfortable ride (seats could use a little more padding ) havent had GX350L,little over month, but love the features and the drive, and especially fact that also has full size spare,i feel like i am a luxury car, tried a cadilliac and prefered the GX350L OVER IT.

• 

  Nice Ride - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Rod Hill - July 31 - 10:00 am

  We looked at other mid size vehicles and found that the Hyundai Sonata was the best for the buck. So far it has been a joy to own.

• 

  LOVE MY 04 SONATA LX!!! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By SpecialK - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Purchased an 04 Sonata LX 8 days ago & I LOVE IT! Some ppl say it could use a little more horsepower and while that would be nice, it has nice power and pick up. Its extremely comfy & stylish. The functions are easy to find and use. You cannot beat this car for the features, style, comfort, safety and simple overall satisfaction at the price. Every1 loves my Sonata, makes me feel great. Great warranty, cant beat it. I had a great dealership experience as well. If you can complain about this car you should search in the $30-$40,000 range and you still might not beat this deal by much.

• 

  always on the road - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By happyhyundai - July 31 - 10:00 am

  bought in march now have 2000 miles and have enjoyed every mile and look forward to the next 100,000 not in the market to buy but what a great deal and warranty couldnt pass up next time will buy a 6 cyl. the 4 is slow to get up but once it does it goes. would recomend to anyone looking for the suv look but the ride and price of a luxury car.

• 

  SMOOTH AND COMFORTABLE - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rxgen - July 31 - 10:00 am

  TO DATE, THE SANTA FE EXPERIENCE HAS SURPASSED EXPECTATIONS. AS A PREVIOUS OWNER OF OTHER SUVS, THE SANTA FE PERFORMANCE EXCEEDS THE OTHERS. A SMOOTH AND QUIET RIDE FOR SURE! NOT TO MENTION, A TROUBLE FREE VEHICLE SINCE TAKING IT OUT OF THE DEALERS LOT!

• 

  Hyundai in Florida - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By memullady - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Although I have only owned this vehicle a few months, I am very satisfied so far. At this point my only complaint has been some hesitation and jerkiness when accelerating from a rolling start or sometimes from a standing start. This may have something to do with the electronic accelerator linkage. Mind you, I have not reported this to the dealer at this time, as the vehicle is hardly broken in and the vehicle is primarily driven in town. The vehicle is comfortable for me even though I am a large person at over 6 ft tall. I am still waiting for some gas milage improvement.

• 

  Good Vehicle for Price - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By jeff - July 31 - 4:16 am

  Bravo Hyundai! Nothing beats haggling with car dealers, I spent 3 weeks pulling my dealers leg, and finally settled on a 2008 GLS with the Premium package for $21,000, tax, registration and doc fees were extra. What a steal! Car is wonderfully built with a 6 cylinder engine, roomy, and 3 rows of seating! Big 17" wheels, wood wrapped dash and doors, sunroof, heated seats! At nighttime there is a mood light and cup holders and ashtray lights too! No doubt this car is the envy of all crossovers! Car handles wonderfully. Responsive steering. Never thought I would buy non-American, but Im glad I did. Test drive one, you wont be disappointed!