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:

• 

  My first new car. - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By Grumpy - June 21 - 3:39 am

  After 38 years of driving I decided to buy my first new car. The style, size, performance and costs all come together with this car. I get 29/35 mpg. Accelerate lightly, let the car get up to 36 and let the overdrive kick in. Dont beat it to death. More than enough cargo space for day trips. Checking under the hood is a breeze. All cabin controls are at your finger tips. Im over six foot tall and have plenty of head, hip and leg room. Very quiet cabin, even with a big truck next to you. Best warranty in the business!

• 

  Great car - with only one issue - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By dean - June 20 - 10:00 am

  Replaced my (120,000 mi) 12 yr. old 6-Cyl EX with a Sonata Ltd. I was concerned about the 4-cyl engine - but it has plenty of power. Road noise is minimal compared to the Accord. Fuel economy is outstanding - in town and on the road. The standard package includes almost everything you could want - at several thousand less than an Accord. Ive put about 750 miles on so far. The only issue Ive had is the cruise control. It doesnt slow the car going downhill. I had it set at 60 mph - but it increased to over 70 and was increasing (from the downhill grade) when I finally hit the brakes.

• 

  Sick of Honda - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sick of Honda - June 19 - 12:16 pm

  I am a life-long Honda and Toyota owner. But I bought the 2011 Sonota about 2 weeks ago, because my beloved 1999 Honda Accord Coupe with 138,000 miles has a blown head gasket (very disappointed). I love everything about the 2011 Sonata, except I wanted a stick shift but the dealer said it hard to find. For those who are still undecided, dont wait any longer - buy it! The value, power (198 HP), blue tooth, warranty, styling, comfort, trunk space, etc. The 2011 Sonata is a great car for the money. Eat your heart out Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, GM. They are all overpriced!

• 

  Great car, great value - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By JasonPorter - June 19 - 1:56 am

  Bought Dealership loaner car with 4.5K miles to be used as Daily Driver. I had my eye on a Sonata since they changed the body style, but never made the jump until the interior upgrade. Hyundai has come a *long* way in 10 years - major kudos! Fit and finish is first class for the price and the warranty is amazing - this is a company that actively sought to make a car to pounce on Toyota and Honda buyers and succeeded. V6 rated at only 249 HP, but if you think you need more in a FWD car...you probably shouldnt be looking for a FWD car! If someone told me in 2000 I would one day choose to buy a Hyundai, Id have laughed. Now though, Im glad I did - major props for an *excellent* product!

• 

  Another good choice from Hyundai - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By lmarcanov - June 18 - 12:43 am

  Vivid blue with those wheels!! a combination that our friends really like. I bougth this car for my wife based on my personal experience with a 2001 Elantra and a 2006 Sonata. Engine has a good response, little bit noisy on acelaration but not a cheap noise, just breathing hard, almost the same that my old E 01! Automatic is smoother and I do recommend this option if you have little kids. Rear space is really good but youll need the net to keep your load in place. Suspension is a little bit hard but remember when yo ask for 17 wheels 215/45 thats the normal feeling. Steering, is electric and feels little bit different than conventional on the HWY, you will love it at the parking lot.

• 

  2005 Hyundai, Excellent value - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pete - June 17 - 9:22 pm

  Had this car for three years, 31000 miles. Absolutely nothing has gone wrong with this car. No rattles, everything works fine, mileage ok for a 6 cylinder. I would buy another in a heart beat.

• 

  First Hyundai and its been great - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By fearnewine66 - June 17 - 5:24 pm

  I must say I am very impressed with the sonata, my first brand-new car. I drive over 51k hard miles per year and I have had no mechanical problems. The vehicle is reasonably quick, the XM and all of the safety features are great and it is an excellent highway cruiser. Fuel economy is between 21- 29, Ive never cracked 30. Build quality is generally good but I dont think the paint should chip so easily nor should the plastic protectors at the bottom flake off. Still this vehicle is an absolute bargain, I considered a Camry and accord and the Hyundai drives just as well them---at a lower price and a with a better warranty:)

• 

  Quality, Reliable Luxury with Tiny Price - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Christina - June 17 - 12:45 pm

  My 2005 Sonata has all the bells that you would expect to find on a car that costs $10K more. Its zippy - great for driving to work - and in the 3+ years Ive owned it, I have NOT ONCE had any issues. It is the most maintenance-free vehicle I have ever owned. (Had a Ford Explorer and Mits. Eclipse before - both were ALWAYS in the shop.) In fact, 3 other family members have since bought Hyundais (new and used) and no one has had any mechanical problems, which leads me to believe that the negative reviews are fairly isolated. I am now looking to buy the Veracruz - sticking with Hyundai because of the value & quality of its product. I trust Hyundai and definitely would buy another.

• 

  Update on my 5/something/2010 review - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By babaaus - June 16 - 5:18 am

  Now at 58K and STILL loving this fun little car! Its so much fun to drive with the 5-speed manual and it cruises right along. Plenty of get-up and go! Id buy another one in a heartbeat!

• 

  A Winning Motorcar - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By THolmes - June 16 - 2:00 am

  My 350L is the best motorcar I have ever owned. The ride, stylig and quality are what sold me on it. My neighbors and friends all say I have a luxury sedan. I tell them (including my wife) that it isnt listed as one. But! It should be reclassified as such with the Luxus, BMW and Infinity lines.