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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  Bill PA - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By William Moyer - April 20 - 2:30 am

  I only have the car less than a week and I previously owned a 2001 Sonata. WOW, what a difference and surprise. Im the envy of the whole neighborhood! My fiance is so impressed shes thinking of purchasing one herself!

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Brandon - April 19 - 7:13 pm

  Excellent vehicle, plenty of power, tons of space, fun to drive, and it looks good too.

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  Superb car at great price - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Webmatic - April 19 - 2:33 pm

  I bought this car 2 weeks back and have loved it since. I was in market for used A4, BMW 3 and C280 but when I test drove it I had no doubt which car I am buying. Hyundai has done this car right in all aspect ride, handling, engine and interior. Just go and test drive before you make an decision.

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  First Hyundai - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Nvr*lost - April 19 - 6:33 am

  I continue to be impressed with this vehicle. I was hesitant to buy based on Hyundais old image with cheap cars. I have only had it for about a month and keep discovering things that impress me. For instance, the gas mileage for highway. level road, 65 mph is up to 30.4 mpg. And until I drove it in the dark, I did not realize how cool the dash lights and all other lighting on the console, steering wheel and armrests were this cool violet blue. The Infinity stereo system is overkill for me, but has nice sound. Nice road handling. I would highly recommend this vehicle.

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  scott - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By scooter - April 19 - 3:49 am

  My car is great! I have the features of a more expensive vehicle, without the expensive vehicle price. The 100,000 mile warranty is super. I had a fuel pump die, and the company sent a tow truck and fixed the issue at no cost to me. I wish my wife had bought one instead of that Ford Focus.

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  Loving It - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By JayMagic - April 19 - 2:33 am

  Cant say enough about my 07 Azera Limited with Ultimate package. Unbelievable in terrible snow storm (Denver blizzard). My mileage, with regular unleaded, has been in the 23-24 range around town. (about (2K so far). Great power, very quiet, love the power side folding mirrors for my garage. MANY luxury features. Its getting comments like "very swanky" from the parking valets. My only regret is that Hyundai had not yet started started delivery of Azera/s with XM radio at the time I got mine. I understand the ones produced after the first of the year will have that too, on top of a great Infinity radio, amp, and speakers. Could not be happier.

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  sweetest car ever for the dollar - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By buckenbronco2003 - April 18 - 1:40 pm

  I compared a lot of vehicles in the sonatas class and nothing compared to the quality and affordibility of the sonata. I got a sweet car for under 19,000.

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  Affraid to get a different car - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Robert - April 18 - 10:24 am

  The 2002 Sonata was the first new car I ever bought. Ive been driving it now for close to 7 years and put 137,000 miles on it. At 100,000 my brakes begin to wear out. This is the only time Ive had to take it in for major work, but new brakes at 100,000 miles is normal. My Sonata drives today at 137,000 as well as it did when I drove it off the lot with 12 miles on it. I believe that in order to get any car as good as the Sonata, I will have to either get another Sonata or a BMW, Mercedes, or Audi to get the same quality that Ive gotten from the 2002 Sonata. It has been nothing less than superior in all areas of performance and reliability. I Will have a very hard time replacing it.

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  Serene Machine - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By tucsoncharley - April 17 - 11:23 pm

  Reluctantly traded my 2003 Corolla for missing safety features needed for crosstown commute to a new job. Imagine getting four wheel antilock disc brakes,traction control,stability control,six air bags,active head restraints,Michelin tires,"big car" feel and ride for under $12,000 with trade. City mpg steady at 27 and getting 38 to 40 on Arizona interstates with light foot(under 75 mph). What was the last car you owned when you smiled each time you got behind the wheel? I could not be happier with my Sonatas value, quality, and comfort.

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  Awesome Ride - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Andy - April 17 - 7:51 pm

  Best car for the money. First foreign car I have owned. I purchased a limited in December of 2007. I got the golden beige. My wife liked it so much we bought her one. She got the XM steel Gray. I have almost 7000 miles on mine. Best car I have ever had! Very quiet. Plenty of power. Infinity sound system rocks. I had all the tires aligned and ha nitrogen put in them. No issues with the michelins. Drives like a dream. My wifes car is a program car with 22k miles. She loves it. The entire buying experience was unbelievable. Great experience with dealer. The entire sale was negotiated over the phone. I truly believe that the azera is the most car for the money on the road today!