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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  Happy Rams Fan - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Will - September 6 - 10:00 am

  The Sonata was a good fit for me so I purchased one on 29 Oct for $23,336 plus tax and fees. Go to a dealership thats more interested in moving volume. I got the Pacific Blue Pearl which is an awesome color. Im 63" and 238 lbs and Im very comfortable behind the wheel. I dont even have the seat all the way back. Didnt get the Nav package. Didnt want to spend the additional $2100. Sound system is above average. Get the IPOD cable. It has some "get up and go" to it for the 198 horsepower it has. I get up to 80-85 mph quickly on the highway without even realizing it. You cant beat the gas mileage. Plus its a great looking car. This car is the total package.

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  spunkys review - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Spunky - September 5 - 3:31 pm

  I was extremely pleased with the performance of this vehicle. I just traded it in on a 2007 model. This car was quite possibly one of the best cars Ive ever driven.

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  The first Service corrected issues with shifting - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By r_l_r - September 4 - 6:28 pm

  I got my Sonata hybrid in May and was very happy with it. The hesitancy in shifting between electric and gas motor at low speeds did not bother me. I did not appreciate any difficulty with the brakes, which worked well in a couple of emergensy stopping situationa. My mileage was in the 40+ mpG range. I had the first service about a month ago, Hyundai updated the computer hardware and software for free. After the service there was absolutely no hesitancy in shifitng and the MPG increases to 43-48 MPG. I remain very satisfied with this car and feel that it has gotten better.

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  lots of mpg - 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By Julie Prigoff - September 3 - 10:16 pm

  Too new to rate on repairs and maintenance, but the looks are great. The mpg is more than expected with it ranging from 39-56 mpg. Seating is very comfortable, ac works very well in our hot climate

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  red hyundai - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By tina thompson - September 3 - 9:38 pm

  it is a very dependable car, i have not had any problems with it. evrything works on the car the way it should, this was my first purchase of a new car.

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  Very surprised... - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By drew - September 3 - 2:40 pm

  Never thought I would ever buy a Hyundai but I am truly satisfied. Traded in my 540i which was breaking down for a much faster and smoother car. It doesnt handle like a BMW but still pretty nice. People tried to discourage me from getting a Genesis and now they are the ones who are thinking about it after riding my car :)

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  I survived! - 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By M. Thompson - September 2 - 8:44 pm

  I purchased the Sante Fe Sport a year and a half ago after researching safety ratings and affordability of various SUVs. I live in a high traffic area, and safety was a top priority. Last week I was sitting at a red light when I was rear ended by a Toyota Tacoma going at too high a rate of speed for the area. The truck that hit me actually came high enough to knock out the back glass of my hatchback. All side curtain airbags in my entire vehicle deployed instantly. While I am facing further medical treatments, thankfully, none of my injuries were life threatening. I’m so thankful for the safety features of the Sante Fe. Now we wait for insurance to decide if my SUV can be fixed or if it will be totaled out. My husband and I agree that if it is totaled out, we will be heading right back to the dealership for another Hyundai Sante Fe Sport!

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  Good value...great car. - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Ken in Charlotte - September 2 - 8:13 pm

  Six months and 7200 miles now, and I still love this car. Yes, there are a few things that could be done better, but overall, its a great car. Great value for the money; only concern I have is depreciation, but I think that, as Hyundais reputation continues to improve, that depreciation wont be an issue in a few years. Drove a Sonata on vacation last week, and liked it almost as well as the Azera - but Im spoiled by the interior room, quietness, and performance of the Azera. Id recommend either car, though. Fuel mileage is about the same for both cars - both had a V6. Azera is much faster. Just put a K&N air filter in my Azera - theres a noted difference in HP!!

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  LOVE THE BANG-FOR-BUCK - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By scott0814 - September 2 - 3:44 pm

  I traded-in an 09 Malibu for my first non-GM car. The 4cyl Malibu produced 169hp with an EPA 29 hwy, which was exactly what I got (without a good tailwind). I looked at the V-6 Malibu (base $28k, 252hp, 26 mpg hwy). Then I discovered the Sonata. I was out the door with a 2.0T SE with 274hp/269 lb-ft torque and an EPA 34hwy for under $26k. After 4000 miles with the Sonata, I am extremely satisfied. CONTRARY TO OTHER REVIEWS, the 34 mpg hwy is very realistic if you can control your right foot. The turbo engages just above 2000 rpm and it will drink gas (but its fun!). I have never driven a car with a better combination of performance and economy for less than $26,000.

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  A OK - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By kirksterl - September 2 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive and ride in.