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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  Extreme tire wear - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By rodeo5 - May 18 - 7:03 pm

  Car is designed with tire lean that is not adjustable. Be prepared to buy new tires every 15,000 miles or listen to them thump as you drive down the road.

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  Excuse my language - 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By Victor Tom - May 14 - 7:39 am

  Manual sucks------index is limited.

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  City MPG very poor - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By lee8166 - May 13 - 6:29 pm

  I bought my 2011 Sonata Aug 2010 and felt Iwasnt getting the best mpg in the city. Ilive in Philadelphia. I havent driven outside of the city with it yet. However, Im getting 16 mpg city driving and I feel like that is very low mileage. Other than that I love my car!

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  one problem - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Bernard Stahl - May 13 - 12:06 pm

  Enjoy driving. One problem: when idling, sounds like a diesel. Dealers said could not fix

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  great car. - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kenny - May 10 - 10:20 pm

  I bought my GLS 4 cylinder with a 5A transmission last July and havent had a mechanical problem with it since. the dash looks beautiful with a nice LED blue lighting. the audio system is great with cool features such as ipod and USB integration. Electronic Stability Control comes standard on all models, and one can turn it on and off. ESB only comes available on higher level Camrys and it is always on. I can go about 450 miles on one tank of gas. Overall, for the money, I couldnt be happier.

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  Hyundai Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By racer - May 9 - 3:28 pm

  It is very reliable. It has a great warranty and roadside assistance. Great value for price. Fully equiped Elantra with sunroof out the door for $12,700.

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  2007 Sonata - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bob - May 8 - 1:13 pm

  Drove many of usual new car suspects in this class and then just for fun drove the Sonata. I drove one 6 years ago but wasnt impressed. So bought a camry instead at that time. Probably the best car Ive ever owned. But this time I liked the look and drive and the warranty of this car better.Also they had a 5 speed manual available on the lot which I believe makes any 4 cyl a better drive.Also saved at least $3500 over another similar camry,altima,ford focus,or malibu in the 08 models. Nice color selection. Dealership was helpful but not pushy which I like. S0 I decided to give Hyundai a try.

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  Love My Elantra - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By POWRBRUH - May 8 - 12:40 pm

  I purchased a 07 Elantra Limited last night and I must say I am very impressed. The dealer had a Carbon Gray color with manual transmission and I fell in love. Hyundai has come along way with the style and quality of their cars. I plan on keeping this car for a long time.

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  I love my Santa Fe - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Whip-it - May 7 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Sante Fe for about 7 months now and I love it!!!! For the money not only is it stylish but roomy and it has luxury items in it too. When I drive it I feel special. I have over 10,000 miles on it with 3 long trips. If someone is interested in a small SUV than I would recommend the Sante Fe.

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  If you drive it, youll buy it! - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Hands - May 7 - 10:00 am

  After 19 months and 16,000 miles the Tiburon still runs and rides like new. No problems and lots of looks and comments. Two of my friends bought them after seeing and driving mine and theyre just as happy. For the $$$ you absolutely cant go wrong. And now, as an added plus, resale on them is great! Only complaint is the paint...could be a lot tougher. Go for it!