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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  Amazing - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By lidude25 - March 17 - 10:00 am

  For the money this is the best car you can get. Some of the options/standard features are not even available on cars in its class and also in more expensive classes.

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  Great Mix of Value, Quality and Styling - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chuck in VA - March 17 - 8:14 am

  The Sonata was not on my original list of cars - I was looking at a Civic hybrid or Accord. But, the fuel mileage, styling and warranty made me take a closer look. The final factor was a $3,000 rebate. I saved several thousand dollars over what I thought Id have to spend to get a high quality, stylish sedan. Having owned it for a full year now, I can honestly say I am 100% satisfied with the car - mileage in the 27-28 range, zero service or mechanical issuesi. I/m really glad I chose the Hyundai. Cant wait to trade it up for a new Genisis in a couple of years!

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  Best car Ive owned in 50 years - 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By Reg - March 16 - 11:42 am

  Whats left to say? My first rattle trap of a car was a 58 Chevy. Since then Ive owned Ford, GM, Dodge/Ram, Triumph (talk about love/hate!), BMW/Mini, Mazda, Toyota, Nissan, and Lexus. The mid-1990s Lexus LS400 was a very good car that was at the leading edge of the industry in many ways. It does not compare to the Hyundai. The Sonata is a far cry from being at the leading edge of automotive technology but Hyundai has gotten everything right. It is the best car Ive owned. Period. I wouldnt be selling it if I wasnt moving out of the US. I cant take it with me. Thats OK though. Ill buy another when I get settled.

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  2006 Azera Ltd... we like it! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By CarBuff - March 16 - 11:41 am

  Fast, fun to drive. Excellent build quality and a lot of room both in the rear seat and the trunk! Gas mileage is not good enough in todays market. I get about 21 city and about 25 highway. I have also had some electrical issues with seat belt light coming on and headlights flickering. Overall a great car for the money.

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  2008 Sonata GSL V6 3.3L - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Genetyper - March 15 - 3:58 pm

  I bought this car with 30k miles on it and have driven it about 2k miles. I love this car. Getting onto the highway is stress-free because this car can "get-up-and-go" when you put your foot into it. Its got some "nut" which I like in a car. Its quiet and smooth. I like the sunroof and the ample room of the interior. Its comfortable and an ease to drive. Gas mileage is about 31 highway (or more) and 19 town. I cant speak for long term reliability but it purrs like a kitten and is nearly soundless at idle, no engine noises or "clickings". Performance for a mid- sized 4 door family car like this is not common.

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  should command a much greater price - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By thopaine - March 15 - 7:21 am

  A few electrical bugs, eventually fixed under warranty. Other than that this car is a 10. For all the reasons written here, and the versatility of dropping the rear seats to carry LARGE items in a pinch! And the service check ups are VERY cheap. I would not sell mine for the prices quoted on Edmunds. It is worth several thousand dollars more, at least.

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  I love my car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Maria - March 14 - 4:48 pm

  I love my car. I wasnt sure about buying a Hyundai although I knew it had been selected as car of the year. However, my mechanic recommended it and I am super glad I listened to him. It is a fun car to drive, I can park it anywhere and gives me great mileage.

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  Bigger, better, & cheaper than my Accord - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By m_csala - March 14 - 9:26 am

  Buying this car, I made a step-down in features from my former 2002 Honda Accord coupe. But the price difference more than made it worth it. I love the spacious interior, but bought it for the HUGE trunk space, as I make long trips south each winter, and need to pack it full with clothes & supplies. Once I got used to no power seat or side mirrors, I enjoyed driving this as much as the Accord, with more power for pulling out fast when needed, or passing quickly. Steering a bit mushy, seat could be more supportive. Love the MP3 CD feature - made several from iTunes playlists. I dont drive many miles (young retiree!), but not one problem in the 20,000 so far. Sheet metal does dent easy.

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  Good things in small packages - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By Hako - March 13 - 6:23 am

  Ive only had the car for 8 days, but I am totally in love with it.....more so than any car Ive owned. Funny thing was, I didnt expect to be. I figured it was a nice looking, decent fuel economy and great warranty. I was stunned when the car arrived at the dealership. It was way more beautiful than the internet pics, and the interior seemed upscale in rich, textured black. The car itself is Ebony Black. I love the 16 inch alloy rims, satellite radio, and the B&m short-shifter. I assumed this car would be a yawn to drive. Wrong again. It has snappy acceleration, and is grippy through the turns. I am totally happy with my choice, and grin every time I sit in this cute car.

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  2005 Hyundai Elantra - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By KTM - March 11 - 9:56 pm

  My primary concern when buying a new car was warranty. That led me to Hyundai. I drove the Elantra, and the 06 Sonata. I liked them both, but went with the lower payment. Im impressed with the car and am enjoying it. I get great mileage, and a comfortable ride. If youre looking for a good car thats priced right, and has a fantastic warranty to back it up drive one. Best part about the warranty is you can make the 10 year 100k mileage bumper to bumper (less wear items) for only 700 bucks. A no brainer in my book. I