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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  WHAT A CAR! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By frankestrada - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for my mom on mothers day. I bought it cause of ratings and the price. I was so impressed by the performance and looks of this car that I traded in my galant and got a second one. The balance of looks, warranty, and performance makes all other so called better imports nothing more than a pricier elantra wannabes. This car has me hooked and change the outlook of Hyundai in my eyes. My fiancee also plans on trading in her civic in this weekend. Happy mothers day mom!

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  Great Value - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By KatyLE - May 13 - 10:00 am

  There is no way youll find a car with more to offer in this price class. Excellent interior design, and lots of standard features.

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  Owner with great satisfaction - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rehargy - May 13 - 10:00 am

  A great vehicle to drive, comfortable seating both front and rear seats.Good handling and reliability to the nth degree.Great visibility in side mirrors and rear view mirror.

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  Good bang for the buck - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By MEGKENNEDY - May 12 - 7:29 pm

  I love my little car. The only issue Ive had is a wire-thingy that caused my break lights to stay on. Took twice to get it fixed and was a bit of a pain, but was under $100 to get it fixed. For 77K miles I think thats pretty good. Gas mileage is excellent... I average 36/mpg.

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  Sonata Limited 2.0 PZEV - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By Barbie - May 12 - 7:12 pm

  I owned an Audi A4. I tested a BMW, like the way it rode but did not like the interior (for a female) controls too complicated. I tested the good old Camry XL, the materials and quality of everything that was Camry has deteriorated. Its not the same Camry I knew and owned in the past with very cheap materials. It felt like the old Toyota Tercels inside. I test drove an Accord for two hours. It does not handle bumps very well. If you have any issues with your spine, neck, hips this car was like driving a washing machine. The next day I had pain in my pelvis, which I never had before and spent a full day in bed on a heating pad.I test drove the Fusion, that car shook so violently, its just the way its made. Then I drove the Sonata Limited 2.0. It rides perfect, handles bumps like cushions. The inside is very nice, quiet. The layout of the instrumentation is so easy and logical I didnt even need to look at the book. It brakes great, I have cross traffic alert and all the bells and whistles on it. It was $30,000 and I leased it for 3 years for 14,000 including tax and tags. We drove this car out of state on a long trip and it drove and handled like a dream. There is not one thing I can say about this car thats negative. I wish I had test driven the Sonata 2.0 Limited before I tried the other cars. If you want a car that rides like a dream, gives you plenty of rear seat room, air conditioned front vented seats, good braking, great visibility, better headlights than the Audis expensive lights, this is the car for you. Seriously. I spent almost a year looking for cars. I had parked this car in a parking lot and when I came out, I went over to the Audi A6 that was the same size and looked exactly the same (except for the front grille) and thought it was my Sonata. Yes, its that good and half the price of the A6. I had test drove the A6 as well and I didnt like the heaviness of the car plus the complicated information system and the "Ipad" that sticks up from the dashboard blocking your view of the street. Everything about the Sonata was perfect. Im seriously considering leasing again when the 3 years are up. I recommend this car and test drive it against the Camry and youll see what Im talking about. The Limited Sonata has 17 inch wheels, the base has 16. I have the 17 inch wheels which are better than 16. The Audis have low profile tires, which means far less cushion on the road and a harder stiff ride. I have never driven a car so comfortable as the Sonata, so if your thinking of this car, especially if your a female or older, I highly recommend it. I get approx. 35 mpg mixed highway and local. I cant put in the amount in the chart below for some reason.

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  My Tiburon - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Louise - May 12 - 8:16 am

  I love my car, ive never had a problem with its performance,and I receive many compliments, i bought it in sunburst yellow so it stands out. I have the six speed version and its fast, it doesnt drag to get going, it has comfortable front seats, the back seats lay down for more space if needed. I was skeptical on buying a Hyundai and walked the whole lot and this one just caught my eye and I never regretted my decision.

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  Ruby - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Carl Carlson - May 12 - 3:00 am

  I love my car, though it looks like a rhinoceros. Lots of interior room, great Heat & A/C. Smooth, quiet ride. Inexpensive enough that I am not paranoid about keeping in shiny. Good automobile for a gal looking for a SUV.

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  Great Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By timmy - May 11 - 6:13 pm

  Bought the car about 3 months ago, have over 6000 miles on it. Very comfortable, decent acceleration, average almost 32 mpg combined unless I am hard on it.

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  Overlooked Mini Genesis - 2016 Hyundai Azera
  By WHG - May 11 - 8:01 am

  Great car, but right in the gap between Sonata and Genesis. I am now on my 3rd Genesis, a 2017 G80 Tech 6cyl; the past 2 were 8s. We just bought a 2016 Azera Ltd to replace my Wifes 2012 Sonata. The Azera has almost all the features of my G80, and few I dont have. If you are looking, and would love to have a front wheel drive car, but like the Genesis, look at the 16+ Azera Ltd

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  1 year review - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By James - May 11 - 5:10 am

  Review: 10 months, 10,000 miles, relatively heavy-footed and agressive driving style. If curb appeal is your thing, this is definitely your car. My metallic-beige LmtEd draws glowing comments (inside and out) everywhere it goes. Power and refinement remain excellent as well. In a recent 2000 mile trip I rarely cruised at below 80 MPH, often hit 100 effortlessly, and topped out at 120 for one memorable 45 minute stretch. Nitpicks: The handling is somewhat mushy. The car needs a performance handling option. The mileage could be better. I know, I drive too fast. The steering wheel stereo controls could incorporate MANY more features using only the same amount of buttons.