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:
Showing 2301 through 2310 of 13,764.00-
Great car! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Edwin Lebish - May 3 - 1:43 amLove this car! It drives, feels great and handles well. Many people ask me what kind of car it is. Havent had anyone that didnt like the looks. Seems to be real quiet and smooth on most roads. As expected, the 17 inch tires ride a little rough on rough roads. Brakes are the best and power versus torque is good, especially at speeds over 60. The 5 speed will downshift when going up hills simply because of high gearing the company uses for better mileage due to EPA requirements. The stability control works well and the headlights and visibility are great! After driving the competition, this Sonata is the clear winner, especially when price is a factor as it is for me since I am retired.
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A Winner Indeed! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Dion - May 2 - 6:56 pmThe 2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 is the first new car Ive purchased since 1993 and its a pleasing alternative to perennial family sedan favorites like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Fit and finish of the interior materials are superb and the exterior design is simple yet fluid. The controls are well thought-out and easy to use (I hate referring to the owners manual to learn how to use knobs and dials). In addition, the drivers seat offers a commanding view of traffic while the overall impression of the Sonata is that of a much larger, smoother sedan. By the way, I did test drive the Ford Fusion and found that, while competent, American auto manufacturers have been leap-frogged again
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Hyundai I never seen before - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Kevin - May 2 - 9:03 amThis 235 horse Sonata is better than I expected. It is faster, smoother, and I guess bigger. The road handles great especially in the highway. At 70-80 mph, the road noise was exceptionally reduced. Compared to my old Accord, Sonata is much better in quality, price, warranty, features, power, room, comfort, almost every detail in Sonata beats Accord. It is too bad there is no manual for V6s. There is a shiftronic, but whats the difference with automatic if it shifts by itself in the redline? You have to test drive this amazing machine before you go anywhere else, you just might be in a surprise...
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great all around - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By jay - May 2 - 3:23 ampeople have been saying great things about the sonata and im one of them. shopped accord, camry, g6, altima and narrowed down to sonata and accord. got the sonata cuz of better styling, warranty, roominess, and price. but after driving it, i think i still wouldve got it even if it was more expensive, and the warranty was the same. the car is roomy, quiet, fast, and looks great. especially in black, it looks to be in the same class as an audi a4 or acura tl.
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A big improvement for Hyundai but just needs a few refinements - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
By oldsroyale - May 1 - 11:08 pmThe fuel economy is good for a car with 275HP and the 22/33 MPG is accurate. The dual scroll turbo is almost lag-free. The 6sp is smooth and responsive and the paddles are fun. The electric steering is NOT refined. The car wanders and likes to follow the road camber. Handling is solid but the stock 18” tires are mediocre, and they are NOT suitable for snow. I needed winter tires. The seats are too hard and can get uncomfortable. The NAV unit is OK but frustrating at times. The voice recognition is OK, but inputting a destination by voice is hard. The disappointing Dimension system sounds muffled and tinny for AM/FM and XM and OK with USB or iphone. iPhone/USB media integration good
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Great little car... - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
By glassfern53 - May 1 - 7:11 pmThis Elantra was my second Hyundai (and, Ill probably buy another). Never had a single problem with this car. The gas mileage is ok (24 mpg city and up to 30 mpg highway). Im a fanatic about maintenance, but, great quality at a good price. Thanks Hyundai for this baby!
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Better Than Lexus or Audi - 2006 Hyundai Azera
By Thanks Hyundai - May 1 - 4:33 amIve had Lexus ES330, Audi A4, and Avalon. Azera is definately better than them for a lot cheaper price. I highly recommend this car for anyone who wants to drive a luxury car but a little short in budget. If you test- drive this car, you will know what I really mean. I have no doubt that Hyundai will surpass Toyota or Honda in the near future because Hyundai are making better quality cars at a lower price. Thanks Hyundai!!!!
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Very pleased - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
By Bob Youker - April 29 - 9:43 pmLove power this van has for its size. Love the way it handles. I got this van used with 9000 miles on it and it now has 11,700 miles and I have had no problems so far. Great van with a great price.
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Inexpensive, But Full of Value - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
By Saravn - April 29 - 6:10 amI went to the Hyundai dealership to look at the SantaFe, I felt it was too big (after having a Ford ZX2). They encouraged me to try the Tucson. What a perfect fit! I thought I wanted a Ford Escape, but couldnt afford it. After a few weeks & 2 snowstorms, Im thrilled. It has handled great, through wind, snow & ice. The ABS brakes work great, & the ESP eliminates the need for 4WD if you dont offroad. The interior is very practical as well. I keep finding little things that are very useful. I even have a place for my purse that is not the passenger seat. In all, I think Im only going to find more things that I like about this SUV & not feel that I bought it because it was all I could afford.
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A pure joy to drive - 2006 Hyundai Azera
By MAC - April 28 - 1:16 pmThis is one of the best cars Ive ever driven. It is fun to drive very peppy only complaint I have is it seems a little light in the front end sometimes. I can deal with that though for the thousands of dollars I saved over my other choices in this class.
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