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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  Love it! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Susan - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had it a few week, but I love it. So easy and fun to drive. It has plenty of pick-me-up which surprised me since its a 4-cyl. I think its the classiest look on the road. Does everything the high end cars do but at a much better price. I highly recommend it.

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  Looks great, but... - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By themightyinf - May 8 - 12:56 am

  Bold lines. Great styling. This car will catch your eye, and hold it. Great value, and a great size. But all is not how its seems. Listed as a full size sedan, however... its not. Seems better suited as a mid-size. The 2.4 l four cylinder is great for saving gas, but forgets that its supposed to make the car move at times. Its got a better rear end than a Mustang GT... more modern anyway. But warning... the ride is rough as an old woodie rollercoaster! How nice would this be if the rear wheels pushed instead of dragged the car down! Still, this car is better than what you will find in most places (cough cough, chevy cruze, cough cough)...

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  Love My Veracruz - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Kathy - May 7 - 3:33 pm

  I love this car. It drives smooth, is amazing on ice and snow and is just as nice to look at as the Acura everyone else seems to own here in Alaska. I was surprised at how quick it accelerates and it purrs at 70 to 75 mph. The Bluetooth is a feature that I will never live without. For the $ I paid ($24K) I feel like I got the best car for the money. I smile every time I drive it. Dealership support also has been fantastic.

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  Loved it until now - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By catcheme - May 7 - 12:59 pm

  Bought mine in 2004 used, leather sunroof awesome looking, dependable during college (traveled 100 miles daily) and during home health runs, about two months ago transmission would stick then backfire, fanbelt broke yesterday mechanic said "get rid of it before it blows up, its only made to last 100k miles". Now at 147k, love it but have to let it go, did have to frequently change headlights (not cheap ones either) and replaced the thermostat 3 times, the trunk leaks also, everything else great. I am going to miss it, great gas mileage, good size. costs too much to replace engine and tranny, oh and my paint job is starting to peel off on the edges (factory) cd player never worked for me.

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  More and more disappointed :( - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Brittany - May 7 - 8:58 am

  When I bought my car I loved it! I called it my baby Jag. 5 months after I bought it the airbag light came on, the dealership couldnt fix it. After 3 years of ownership, the engine blew because the timing belt broke. No check engine light ever went on. I was 1,000 miles over the warranty limit. It cost me $3500 for a new one. One year after the replacement of the engine the check engine light came on and now I dont want to deal with this car anymore! I thought Hyundais were supposed to be good cars. Apparently not after so many years. :(

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  Old Timer Report - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sloto - May 6 - 11:51 am

  Bought new because of the big price diff over Accord and Camry. Have no regrets. Was a sport car nut in my younger days so I expect handling. This one performs well for a big car. Think maybe next time I will opt for the 4cyl (mileage) and regular tires. (These are not as comfy or as quiet as the standard I suspect). Has a great cruise, much smoother than Camry. Has ventilation recirculate when detecting pollutants. Never saw that on others. Has the best oil filter location I have seen on any new car (under hood on top) "couldnt believe it" Better get one before the pricing is up to Camry and Accord standards

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  Love it but.... - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By vote4honesty - May 6 - 3:54 am

  I purchased my 2011 Sonata in Jan. It is a comfortable car, great trunk space, runs well and looks great but...... after two months in my possession I noticed a small area on the trunk that is rusting. The area is very small on the passenger side of the trunk door above the brake light. On the driver side same thing but no rust just missing paint. I took it to dealership for repair (covered under warranty)and they gave me a 2011 Sonata loaner which I checked, of course, for the same problem and YES it did have issue. Before purchasing you may want to check for this manufacturers defect. Otherwise, love my car.

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  You need one - 1995 Hyundai Elantra
  By paintchip - May 5 - 5:39 pm

  This was my first car and it has lasted me 2 years and counting. Considering it is only 6 years younger then I am this car has held up great. I havent had any Major problems with it just regular maintenance which is usually really cheap for this car and the two previous owners who I personally know have also never had a real problem with this car. The only thing I dont like about it is that is slow as hell and accelerates a little slower then I can run. Also the interior which has held up fantastically is a Nice fit for me at 5,9" 150 lbs but for any one bigger they would have problems especially when I have the seat all the way back and my knee hits my keys.

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  Gene - Richmond, VA - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Gene - May 5 - 3:30 pm

  The car looks great- runs great for a 4 cylinder-plenty of power when needed- gas mileage average to date 31 - This is my third Hyundai and they get better each time-

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  little car lots of heart - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By chris hutchins - May 5 - 2:10 am

  I am 6 4" and fit almost peerfectly into the Tiburon. For the weight and the small six it is extremely spirited. I am extremely surprised by the Tib being as I traded a 2003 Silverado for it, good power, the interior was well thought out and it rides well for a more sport suspension than what I am used to. Over all this car will impress not only on price but quality and performance as well.