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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  Some of the details could be better - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ryster - October 30 - 4:10 am

  Purchased the new 2011 Sonata GLS with PEP2 to replace my 2006 Chevrolet Impala LT. Despite being a 4 cylinder, the Sonata is noticeably more responsive and faster than the 3.5 L V6 Impala. Gas mileage is outstanding, currently averaging 30 mpg. A 50% improvement over the Impala. Standard features on the Sonata are very impressive. The Sonatas exterior and interior styling are very modern, yet very functional. Would like to see Hyundai work a little harder on build quality. My Sonata has developed several rattles after only a couple of weeks. There are 2 rattles in particular that will definitely need to be addressed by the dealer at the first service.

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  Excellent Car! - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bill - October 28 - 10:24 pm

  Drove 4 cyl. Accord for 9 years. Sonata was great combination of value, comfort, performance and best warranty. Wanted the V-6 but Honda and Toyota were many thousands higher in price. Drove my Sonata on a 4,000 mile vacation to Canada this summer. The car was a pleasure to drive!!!! Gas mileage was close to the EPA estimate. Unfortunately, gas was over $5.00 in Canada.

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  Early impression is very good - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By deo89 - October 28 - 2:13 am

  I did quite a bit of online research and a few test drives before purchasing. Ive only had the Santa Fe for a week, but I am happy so far. It fits my needs. Auto transmission is quick to 2nd gear and smooth. Combined city and hwy driving is netting 21.5 MPG. Plenty of seat/shoulder room which was an issue in some other mid/compact SUVs. Interior looks sharp with the black leather and I love the blue accent lighting. The hidden storage area in the rear will be very useful for sports gear and more. The tweeters on the Infinity speakers have a high-pitched whine at low volumes. Wife and dealership cant hear it. I sat in another Limited w/Infinity speakers and whine is there too.

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  LOVE MY SONATA! Best Car Ive owned - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By EBer - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car Ive ever owned. Ive had just about every type of car known to man (or woman)...Mercedes, Nissan, Chevrolet Corvette, Blazer, etc. This car handles well, the ride is quiet, the mileage is great. I cant say enough. Then, add in the awesome warranty and the LOW price and I dont know why anybody would buy any other car!

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  Five years and no problems - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By kazz64 - October 27 - 7:57 am

  Have had my 2003 Hyundai Elantra for five years and have had no problems. Bought car new with four miles on it. Outside of new brakes, tires and oil changes, have had ZERO problems with my car. Has never been in shop for problems. Am selling now at 70k miles, and will buy another as this car has been perfect. Honestly cannot say any issues/problems have had with car. Have never had to test warranty. Very happy.

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  Deja vu of 1989 Lexus debut - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By C in Indy - October 27 - 7:03 am

  We wanted to drive a VW Passat, Chevy Malibu, and a Genesis on the same day. Went from the VW dealer to the Hyundai and bought the Genesis. There was no comparison, the other cars were nice mid size family cars (both with noted nice interiors), but couldnt hold a candle to the Genesis. The big Hyundai was quieter, smoother, and so much nicer on the inside and outside than the other two. It really reminded me of the Lexus debut of the LS400 back in 89. I went to that knowing that this car was supposed to be different than any other Toyota ever seen, but was blown away by how nice it really was. Same feelings here. My Wife is very happy with the car too.

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  Fun Elantra Sport Turbo - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Greg D. - October 26 - 12:33 pm

  This car is awesome. It looks beautiful, runs great and handles really well. With the high strength steel and added glue along with the Turbo and rear wheel independent suspension with much better dampening I think it is the best car Hyundai currently makes. Im getting about 30 mpg on three tanks of regular. Its pretty quick but not as fast as the 2014 Sonata Turbo I returned on lease. But its body structure is a lot quieter and stiffer than the Sonata. It handles well in the corners and felt really composed during a heavy rain storm. The Tech package is worth the money and I am enjoying the Sunroof and nice sounding stereo, though I do turn it off every once in awhile because the car sounds so good.

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  2016 sport/limited - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By sngldad1@bellsouth.net - October 25 - 3:01 pm

  Great overall value. Comfort level is good with seats, multi position electric drivers seat is roomy and comfortable, however, my knee seems to be pinned against the shift console so I have to move the seat back further than Im comfortable with. Same with my previous sonata(2011).. Technology features with android auto are great. Didnt come with garage opener remote. that option was 10 times the cost of ordering another remote and clipping it to the visor...So far with econo function engaged Im averaging 35 mpg.

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  Allot for little - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Fast - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I had a 96 Celica for 6 years. Great car. The Tiburon is better. A very powerful car with eye catching body lines. This car says fast from the Euro style headlamps to the muscle car looking dual exhaust. It must say it because Im constantly being challenged by people in the typical tricked out Japanese models. Theyre learning quickly that the V6 Tiburon isnt their Moms coupe. Ive been looking for a new car for over a year and was VERY disappointed with Toyotas choice in redesigning the Celica. Im very happy Hyundai put this great car together.

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  real diamond at a cubic zirconium price - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Rick W. - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this car for 6 mos./7500 miles. The driving behavior of this vehicle (engine/transmission, acceleration/speed, cornering, stopping, etc.) is smooth and first rate. The interior is thoughtfully designed and well appointed. Space/comfort for front/back is suprisingly very good for a subcompact. Final word: I am a concientious consumer. And I consider this car the very best bang for the buck.