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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  Great car - with only one issue - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By dean - June 20 - 10:00 am

  Replaced my (120,000 mi) 12 yr. old 6-Cyl EX with a Sonata Ltd. I was concerned about the 4-cyl engine - but it has plenty of power. Road noise is minimal compared to the Accord. Fuel economy is outstanding - in town and on the road. The standard package includes almost everything you could want - at several thousand less than an Accord. Ive put about 750 miles on so far. The only issue Ive had is the cruise control. It doesnt slow the car going downhill. I had it set at 60 mph - but it increased to over 70 and was increasing (from the downhill grade) when I finally hit the brakes.

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  A great throw away care - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By wildbrushfire - June 19 - 4:45 pm

  I bought this car in 2004, it had 13K miles on it. Thank God I had at least half the manufacturers warranty on it. I had to have both power window tracks placed - I had to have the TP sensor replaced. I have regular maintenance on this car, I use it to get back and forth to work. Ive put the average 10-11K miles on it every year. It has 54K miles on it now and its in the garage getting the transmission rebuilt. I know this is a cheap but if youre having to replace your tranny after 50K miles you might has well just spend the money up front for a better made vehicle.

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  2006 Tucson gls - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Eileen Harmon - June 19 - 12:16 pm

  I have found that you feel every bump in the road. I did not realize this when I purchased it. It is a very nice vehicle to own other than that.

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  Sick of Honda - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sick of Honda - June 19 - 12:16 pm

  I am a life-long Honda and Toyota owner. But I bought the 2011 Sonota about 2 weeks ago, because my beloved 1999 Honda Accord Coupe with 138,000 miles has a blown head gasket (very disappointed). I love everything about the 2011 Sonata, except I wanted a stick shift but the dealer said it hard to find. For those who are still undecided, dont wait any longer - buy it! The value, power (198 HP), blue tooth, warranty, styling, comfort, trunk space, etc. The 2011 Sonata is a great car for the money. Eat your heart out Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, GM. They are all overpriced!

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  Love it! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Aulcie Smith - June 19 - 5:36 am

  Traded in my 2002 Accent for it. Very good ride, not too rough, not too soft. Has right amount of "road feel" in steering. Plenty of room for cargo.

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  Great car, great value - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By JasonPorter - June 19 - 1:56 am

  Bought Dealership loaner car with 4.5K miles to be used as Daily Driver. I had my eye on a Sonata since they changed the body style, but never made the jump until the interior upgrade. Hyundai has come a *long* way in 10 years - major kudos! Fit and finish is first class for the price and the warranty is amazing - this is a company that actively sought to make a car to pounce on Toyota and Honda buyers and succeeded. V6 rated at only 249 HP, but if you think you need more in a FWD car...you probably shouldnt be looking for a FWD car! If someone told me in 2000 I would one day choose to buy a Hyundai, Id have laughed. Now though, Im glad I did - major props for an *excellent* product!

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  2000 Hyundai Sonota sub frame rot - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By fariam - June 18 - 11:56 am

  I bought this car with 11000 miles on it. Overall it has been pretty reliable until about 75000 miles I have had to replace all the wheel bearings. Now at 86000 miles the sub-frame is rotted from the inside out. This is the first time I have ever seen a sub frame rot on a vehicle less than 14 years old. It is a shame that Hyundai will build a car that the sub frame rots from the inside out. This is very dangerous and costly to repair.

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  Another good choice from Hyundai - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By lmarcanov - June 18 - 12:43 am

  Vivid blue with those wheels!! a combination that our friends really like. I bougth this car for my wife based on my personal experience with a 2001 Elantra and a 2006 Sonata. Engine has a good response, little bit noisy on acelaration but not a cheap noise, just breathing hard, almost the same that my old E 01! Automatic is smoother and I do recommend this option if you have little kids. Rear space is really good but youll need the net to keep your load in place. Suspension is a little bit hard but remember when yo ask for 17 wheels 215/45 thats the normal feeling. Steering, is electric and feels little bit different than conventional on the HWY, you will love it at the parking lot.

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  Ya Gets What Ya Pays For - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Scott - June 17 - 10:50 pm

  For the money, you probably cant go too far wrong here, but overall this is probably just an average SUV for its class. The exterior styling is a bit radical for some tastes, but it does stand out well in a crowd, and doesnt have that "shoebox on wheels" look most SUVs have. The handling on the 4WD model is a bit mushy, and the fuel economy isnt great for its size, but it does have enough zip when you need it. Ive found the seats less than totally comfortable on long trips, but otherwise the interior is decent. The reliability has been good so far, and the warranty is unbeatable. Overall, while not outstanding or overly impressive in any one area, probably still a great bargain for the money

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  2005 Hyundai, Excellent value - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pete - June 17 - 9:22 pm

  Had this car for three years, 31000 miles. Absolutely nothing has gone wrong with this car. No rattles, everything works fine, mileage ok for a 6 cylinder. I would buy another in a heart beat.