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 my Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By ksdriver - March 15 - 11:13 pm

  After shopping all of the competition, I settled on the Sonata. It offered hands down the best value for the money. I have lived with it long enough to rate it. After 6 months and 8000 miles it is quiet and comfortable. It has all the power you need. The poor gas mileage claims are bogus. I consistently get around 24 MPG in town and 29 MPG on the highway.

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  Its what Honda and Toyota used to be - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By milesclew - March 15 - 10:13 pm

  Buying this vehicle loaded gives you most every creature comfort the average driver could want. You just dont get to have a "premium" label on your grill. The ride performance and comfort is top notch, easily matching the Camry or Accord but at a reasonable price. The warranty is great but the quality probably means you wont need the benefits of the warranty; though the security is nice to have. Until recently Hyundai were looked at much the way early Toyotas and Hondas were seen. It took time to realize that these cars were of high quality. For a "family sedan" you cant beat the package you get. Love my nav system, bluetooth, leather, powre and heated seats, remote start...

• 

  very nice suv - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By greg hill - March 15 - 8:10 pm

  no problems at all so far!

• 

  Luxury for Less - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By HyonAzera - March 15 - 6:05 pm

  The 2008 Azera Limited (with the Ultimate Package)is one fine automobile. You can own an excellent, reliable, comfortable, powerful and safe auto for thousands less than the other "driveway dressing" brands. Youll turn some heads (and leave them at the starting line)in your Azzie. It has so many upscale refinements. Very well designed and the mechanicals (transmission and engine performance) behave like a refined auto costing much more. Quiet, comfortable cabin. And a great warranty. If youre looking for a great car at a great price, check out the Azera. Do your homework, give it a drive and youll see...big bang for your hard-earned buck.

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  Has not delivered on mileage - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By chauffeurboy - March 15 - 2:50 pm

  I purchased this vehicle as a replacement for a 2011 regular Sonata that was written off in an accident. I thought this would be a good opportunity to take advantage of the potential fuel savings given that I commute 110 kms daily. I cannot understate my disappointment. My 2011 Sonata averaged 31mpg and my hybrid averaged 35 mpg. I did a comparison of my fuel expenses and mileage. Over a 26000km period I saved approximately 198 litres. Based on todays gas prices of 1.14.9 this translates to an annualized savings of $227.00. Over a 5 year period the savings is nowhere close to the $5,000 dollar premium I paid to purchase a hybrid.

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  Not bad, but could be better - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Stephanie - March 15 - 2:49 pm

  Bought car BRAND NEW in Oct 2001. At 99k miles had to have transmission re- built ($2500) Not covered under warranty due to loss of transmission maintenance papers (apartment flooded). Only other problems were, window actuator broke and window would get stuck down & at about 2 years old the spark plug wires melted and caused the car to slip and had to have towed to dealer to have fixed. Multiple trips to dealer due to check engine light on for no reason and had an A Pillar recall(had fixed). Car could be better, since transmission started going and still even after being re- built it shifts hard between 2nd & 3rd. Had to have dash panel background replaced, was disintegrating.107,500 miles now

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  08 accent gs 5speed 2door El-Stripo - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By mark - March 15 - 9:34 am

  I bought this car because of the need for better mileage,I also wanted to be able to haul two hockey bags and my two boys. I bought the base model two door gs 5speed. This car works great for me. 37mpg hwy, 30city.I paid 8,950 not including t&l.

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  Its AWESOME - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lee - March 15 - 4:40 am

  Ive always been hesitant to even look at Hyundais. When the new Sonata came out I liked the design and decided to take a closer look. OMG. This car blew me away. So I bought it and have not looked back. I am banking on the 100,000 warranty to run out way before this car does. Honda, Toyota, move over... Here comes my Sonata.

• 

  Almost There - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By dogula - March 14 - 11:09 pm

  Nice Car. I really enjoy the Handling, Stereo, Power Accessories and Hatchback. High Quality Build with nice fitting and reliable function. Gas mileage is lower than expected but changed to Mobil 1 and added turbonator and increased mileage by 4.7 per gallon and added 11 horsepower to help with passing gear and highway ramp entry. Love the rims, low profile tires and fog lights. I also own 2 volvos (S80 and 40) and I find this a fun commuter to add to the stable.

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  From like to LOVE in a month :) - 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By kandeemann2001 - March 14 - 8:22 pm

  Absolutely LOVE this SUV! Got a black Limited w/black leather. Traded up from an 06 GLS and couldnt be happier. Cannot understand for the life of me why people are comparing this to the cheap-looking Rav4 and CR-V. Parked next to a black 11 Highlander Limited yesterday and got LOTS of looks and attention! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the black leather and the new woodgrain trim is absolutely stunning. The cabin is plush and luxurious. Navigation works great and 12-speaker sound system is PHENOMENAL. The new V6 will plant you into your seatback if you push it, but weve got light feet :) Very roomy, lots of storage, and perfect size...not too big and not too small. Its perfect :)