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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  Sonata Limited - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Fred - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Just turned my first 5000 miles on this car. I got the pearl white and everywhere I go my car gets the look from others. I even got a comment from the kid at the car wash! Averaging 30mpg between highway and city driving. Its pretty much fun to drive. Handles well, ready for my first service. Well reserve judgment until after my first trip to the service dealer.

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  New car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By boyd - February 13 - 10:00 am

  We just purchased this car a day ago, I now have 100+ miles on it and so far so good. The engine is unreal only a four cyl. but acts like a six or eight. Since it is so new I really dont Know about reliability yet hence the lower rating. The one thing I can say is it was the best car buying experience I have ever had. The car is outstanding so many standard options it takes awhile to get use to driving it. I keep a car a long time so I hope the reliability is there. It rides a little stiff but I think its because of the low profile tires. All in all you cant beat it for the money which by the way we got a great deal from Pecheles Hyundai.

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  great car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By wenslaw - February 13 - 8:26 am

  Now have 7000 miles is this vehicle. Absolutely no problems. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  My Sonata - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By GCD - February 13 - 12:20 am

  I saw it and I liked it looks. I drove it I loved the way it drove so I bought it.

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  Appreciating Hyundai More, and More - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Dan - February 12 - 4:23 pm

  After getting two Elantras for my children, I knew I wanted another Hyundai. The new Santa Fe (holy faith) with the new four cylinder engine has given me 28 MPG on my road trips. The fold down seats in the rear have also allowed me transport sizable cargo. To go along with the decent MPG and cargo space, I got a price that I could afford (OTD at $22,500).

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  Azera Rocks! - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By DAVID - February 10 - 9:28 pm

  After reading thru these forums,I decided to take one for a ride. I was hooked. I traded my beloved 2006 VW GTI which was a blast to drive, but didnt have the amenities the Limited has. First thing I did was to take it on a 8 hr. round trip to Philly thru some real nasty winter weather on I- 81. The car performed flawlessly even though it is shod with all seasons instead of winter tires.The seats,ride,power and comfort are just amazing. Also...the Infinity sound system makes highway cruising a pleasure. I will update after piling on some miles. Take one for a ride...trust me...you wont find better bang for the buck.

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  2009 Sonata - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By W. J. - February 9 - 7:50 pm

  If the badging were removed, it would be difficult to tell who built it. Hyundai has come a long way since the early Sonatas and have caught if not surpassed the great cars Honda and Toyota had been dominant in for so many years. We are extremely impressed with this build quality Hyundai has put into the Sonata for thousands less than the benchmarks.

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  Fun and easy going... - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Coconasty - February 9 - 6:00 pm

  I luv my Tib, and after getting the true low down on the warranty, I put in a cold air intake by AEM to up my economy and its much more to my liking. Realize friends that upgrading your vehicle does not neccisarily kill your warranty. If it interferes with the basic structure of the vehicle and CAUSES the problems, then your added part will be in question and you will not be covered. Upgrading your air intake will only help your vehicle, not hurt it, soooo GET R DONE!!! Upgrading parts is not a problem. When you get into chipping, turbo, and things of that nature is when you run into problems. Its not really neccisary. The car is quick. You can cheaply upgrade for more performance.

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  i love this car - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By giegeo - February 8 - 1:20 pm

  this car back end has more style than magmun or avalon. with all the options on the limited, and the warranty why pay more for a nissan or honda?

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  Luv it! - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By lzcowboy - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I drove Mercedes for 15 years, most recently a 420SEL. After 150,000 miles decided to get a new car. Decided not to spend $80,000+ again. Bought the XG350 last January and am totally satisfied. Has everything the Lexus has except GPS at half the price. I literally have never even had the car back to the dealer for service; just change the oil and drive away.