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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  All in all very nice car for $$ - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By shop74 - September 27 - 2:11 am

  I have owned a Lexus, Acura and Volvo. This car compares to the Japanese luxury brands as far as the drive. It is very smooth feeling and saves gas. Great price!!! It doesnt drive like the Volvo did in its good days. I really only missing my sunroof. I upgraded to leather and alloy wheels. You should too the cloth seats are cheapish and kinda hard to me. The ride is very loud and rough with stee The passenger side seat is kinda low to the ground. The gadgets on the car are nice. Everything wraps around the driver which is NICE and luxurious. The backseat and trunk are very spacious! Way more exciting than the Honda Accord or Altima- BORING. I do like this car only time will tell if it lasts

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  Owner - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By my tibby - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Love this car however multiple problems continue to arise and costly at that. Of course from what Im hearing clutch problems are very common with these cars, Im a single mom who cant afford all theses costly problems.

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  Full Option V6 - 2007 - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bijan - September 25 - 6:26 am

  Nice car for the price, but still a lot of space to improve on design aspect without real additional cost, e.g. suspension! Engine is nice and powerful, but not as quiet and fuel efficient as competition. Brakes are excellent, but no way in comparing handling or refinements of this car with BMW 5-seires, as advertised! I believe it has better value for money than 3.3L Azeras. You are not really upgraded with a Toyota or Honda! Next step is a BMW, Luxus, or Mercedes! Engine noise when you look at it at ilde with hood open, seems more than one expects from such a beautiful piece of engineering! Cant feel the difference Solar Glass is supposed to make! Functional, but not beautiful dashboard!

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  My Sonata-one problem - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dave - September 24 - 2:53 am

  Love the car. It is fantastic except for one thing. THe leather seats which look great are killing my back Make sure you have a good back for them.

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  bump, bump, bang, bang - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By lenstang - September 23 - 3:00 am

  I did my homework when it came to buying this car.I read reviews on line and in magazines. I asked owners about their cars. I compared prices. I thought I did a good job. I test drove a couple of Sonatas also. So I should have been happy with the car. However I didnt get to test drive the cars over bumpy roads. This car makes the worst noise over bumps I have ever heard. Every wheel on this car just bangs over almost every bump I hit. I did have the dealer check out the car. They said there wasnt anything wrong. I took one of the service guys out for a ride. I really couldnt demonstrate the noise. The roads in the area are smooth. I would not recommend buying a Sonata.

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  A keeper - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By Lisa Baillargeon - September 23 - 12:37 am

  We bought our Veloster in protest against the high cost of fuel. This little gem can go more than twice as far as our previous car on a smaller tank at 3 hours a day in both bumper to bumper and open road traffic. Love the design and low rider feel of the car as a driver especially, but our 2 preteen kids complain about the back seat being cramped and boring, and lack of plugins and lighting for their various electronics. A bit slow on the take off, and a bit of a sticky 1st gear that needs extra push on the clutch, but each car has their own personality. Could use a device holder and an under seat storage compartment in the front. Love the sporty look and feel without the high cost.

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  Exactly What I Wanted - First Review - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kyle - September 22 - 10:30 pm

  I am writing this review after having the Sonata for one week, I will add another review at a later date. I got a steal on this car - ended up getting it for $4000 under MSRP. I upgraded from a 2002 Sentra, and have been very surprised by how nice this car feels. I feel safer while driving it, and it performs well. I am happy with the 4 cyl., esp. when considering the savings on gas. The interior is nicely laid-out - not cheap like other base models. It is well put-together and feels solid. It drives as good as a Camry or Accord, but costs THOUSANDS less. Decent enough dealer experience as well - they let us barter and we got more for our trad-in because of it.

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  Chose The Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By VeryPleased - September 22 - 2:00 am

  * 10 year / 100000 mile warranty * We liked the exterior styling * Had the options we liked * Had a good combination of power and economy * A firmer suspension would be a good improvemet * Contrary to the editor, I thought the transmission was fine (have not confused it yet)

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  Little things dont work - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bill Vance - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Great gas mileage, neat 5 speed, alittle gutless, overall turning radius is fine (u-Turn) on a normal street works, however its the taillight that wont operate replaced it 5 times, not the buld, and the headlights, do not last. this is my 5th replacement, Im a courier, so I never shut off the car from morning to night, saves on starter motor, and all the other pertinent parts, only lose about 4 mpg so instead of 30, I get about 25-26. not too shabby for a 2001, with 168000 miles so far

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  My 1st brand new truck - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By HisWife - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Santa Fe in May of 2003. My first new truck from a dealership. I was so excited. I drove home and it was making a hissing sound under the hood. Called the next day, the told me I can bring it there in 2 weeks. I was so upset. Brand new car making noise for 2 weeks. Turns out it was a bad belt. Ok, this is a beautiful little truck. I do enjoy it. Its reliable and drives nicely. The only complaint I have and I see others have is that there is absolutely NO pick up.