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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  Very Decent If Purchased Correctly - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By bobbichen - August 27 - 6:15 pm

  This is a medium term follow up. I have owned this unit about 6 months with about 5k miles on it. Simply put, I went in with low expectations but it is growing on me. I had the issues with the transmission like many. Three trips to the dealer (flash upgrades and a fluid refill due to a dealer mistake) followed by disconnecting the battery for 30 seconds (computer reset) finally sorted it out. Now the vehicle drives smoothly with only an occasional missed shift. Mediocre MPG (about 16 to 18 city). All around, though, for the price (purchased at wholesale) it is hard to beat.

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  Pretty decent car, good value... - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By owner in texas - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I am a satisfied Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 owner. Good value at purchase and also had a 0.9% APR in March 2000. Now about the car - seems well built, and there have been very few problems. It is now approaching 60,000 miles and I have only had to take it in to the dealer three times. Twice for recalls and once for a warranty issue related to the keyless entry and power windows. Runs well, feels solidly built, has decent power, reasonably quiet even at high speeds. Adaptive transmission drops the ball sometimes and shifts roughly, but otherwise there do not seem to be any engine or transmission problems yet. Front brakes replaced at 57,000 miles.

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  Sold in One Month!! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Richard Dunphy - August 23 - 8:20 am

  I own a 2005 Sonata w 105k miles on it, and was very pleased with the car as basic reliable transport. When I saw the 2009 Limited it was obvious that Hyundai had upgraded the car tremendously. Great looking, lots of pep, good stereo, good mileage. Hyundai has realy dropped the ball with the suspension. The car rides OK over very flat roads, on any uneven surfaces, THE CAR THUNDERS LIKE IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY SPRINGS OR SHOCKS... It was substantially louder than my 2005.. The interior looks great, but the interior materials crack and pop when the temperature changes, AC or Heat, it doesnt matter. I was extremely disappointed. Took a bath to sell it, bought used 07 Lexus which is a dream.

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  Drivers seat - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By sissy51 - August 20 - 7:43 am

  The only thing I am truly disappointed in is that the drivers seat is very short and, if you have long legs, you will not be comfortable driving this car. Otherwise, everything else from the steering to the get up and go with only a 4-cylinder is wonderful.

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  Love It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Doose - August 18 - 9:50 am

  Bought an 06 in august.Liked it,but when I seen the 07s,I just had too have one,Not even the same car,looks great,rides great ,performs great,fun to drive,very comfortable.The new brake system is outstanding.

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  rating the xg350 - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By 350Ldriver - August 18 - 2:00 am

  A quiet well built car with features included not found in comparably priced cars.

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  Great Little Car, Better Dealer Service - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By billcarr2 - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I have 47,000 miles on car with no problems to date. Have enjoyed car so far. But the best part seems to be the excellent dealer service. Dealer will get car in and out quickly, and will provide a loaner car if my car will not be immediately available! With the new JD Power survey results (Hyundai is number 2 for quailty), Im hoping that the resale value will start to hold better. As for me, I will drive this car for at least another 100,000 miles or more(unless I trade it for a new Sonota).

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  Comfortable Vehicle, Underpowered 2.7 V6 - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By skoob38 - August 17 - 10:00 pm

  Have had vehicle for almost a year and have 13,500 miles on it. I get compliments on the vehicles look and comfort from almost everyone who rides in it. Very quiet vehicle on the road. Love the blue lights at night. Only issue so far was buzzing noise underneath, which turned out to be a heat shield near the muffler. Happened again a few months later. I just got under the vehicle and bent the shield away from the muffler, which fixed the issue. Not sure how it happened again! Maybe snow underneath pushing on it? Biggest complaint is the power of the 2.7 V6. I should have got the larger engine. Feels pushed every time I drive it. I avg. only 17MPG. Not good. Never get 23 on HWY.

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  EX G.M. OWNER - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By dan catozella - August 16 - 3:40 am

  Ive worked for G.M. for 38 years and have always had GM vehs. This car is the first foreign car I have ever owned. The fit and finish is excellent and the quality of the waorkmanship is excellent. I was very supprised and very well pleased.

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  05 Tib - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Jim - August 15 - 10:10 am

  My mom bought this car about 2 months ago in March and she absolutely loves it. I have driven it many times myself. With the GT model like she is it adds a 2.7L 172 horsepower V6 that adds more than enough power and also adds a 460 watt Infinty sound system with a subwoofer that sounds great. I myself have a 04 Chevy s-10 crew cab that i love and I added a premium sound system but it still doesnt sound as good as my moms. I defintly recomend this car.