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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  What a great 2011 Sonata! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By CodeDiva - December 21 - 9:26 am

  OK! After a long hard look at Honda, Toyota, Ford & Hyundai I have picked the best! 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited Edition! I test drove the 4cyl & 6 cyl Camry, Fusion, and accord but none could compare to the Sonata. This car offers more features, better handling and gas mileage than all. What amazes me is the Sonata is a 4 cylinder and has more pickup than the others! You cannot go wrong with the Sonata!

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  Love My Hyundai - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By John Pfeiffer - December 21 - 5:46 am

  I like the feel of the vehicle. I have a good view of the road and other cars near me. It steers responsively and can make a tight turn when you need to. The seats are comforable and there is plenty of leg room. Its peppy and can move out when you have to. The controls placement and interior design of compartments, etc. are great. We love it.

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  5 speed manual transmission - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By David Little - December 21 - 5:40 am

  Great car until I would shift gears on the interstate (5 speed manual)and the clutch would just lay on the floor- flat! I loved everything else about the car so I traded it for a 2009 Sonata automatic. No problems now with the car. Of course, I took a beating on my trade-in.

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  Id buy anothery Hyundai in a heartbeat! - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By klhayford - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I love my XG. I bought a Regional Reps car that was turned in and had 10K miles on it. Great price. I love the 100k warranty. Ive used it. The battery was replace at 30k, The rt front head light got water in it from a car wash and it was replaced. Noticed that the left head light now needs replaced because of the same reason. Ive had to have some screws/bolts tightened on the front suspension because they keep coming loose.. dealer cant tell me why. I only drive city and Hwy- not 4 wheel. Best buy for the buck. Will stick with the Hyundai winners!

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  Cheap car/ Poor quality/Bad Service - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By KrisMJ - December 21 - 2:00 am

  My current milage is only 10,000, but when I stopped by Hyundai repair center to fix my brake sound and steering wheel vibrating, they chrged me about $600, which is out of warranty. Its very funny. Ill never buy Hyundai any more and dont recommend anybody. Please dont buy Hyundai.

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  Great car for the money - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By republik - December 21 - 2:00 am

  in the test drive i noticed that the Throttle responce was lacking i asked the sale men what could i do to improve that and he recommend a K&N air filter i did just that i put on a COLD air INtake and this car Just FLYs now. im not a young Hoodlem either. (Im 25) but honestly this car needs some improvements and the money you save on the car deserves some money spent on it.. my suggestions - Tiburon V6 sway bar - Cold air intake - better tyres - new stereo - Synthectic OIL (moble 1) - Grounding Kit - Platnum Bosch +4 Plugs

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  I Love My Sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sally Bell - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I have purchased in the past Chevrolets,Buicks,& Fords. The Sonata is built so much better than the above mentioned cars. It rides like a Cadillac. The dealership I purchase this vehicle from were also very accommadating. I did have a problem reaching their staff after I purchased the vehicle but after I complained they rectified this problem. I am very happy with the Sonata.

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  Good Value - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By HandyDan - December 20 - 10:43 pm

  Bought in 04/07, had some problems with knocking in front end early on, was some bushings which dealer fixed. Mileage has been around 16 in mixed c/h with 22/23 hw going about 75mph. First tried Toy/Honda but similar quality with this and this has better warr. Nice inside and out. Great standard CD/Stereo sound system. Very good power in engine/transmission with smooth ride, low noise. Heated seats/dual power drs are really nice, wish I had bought the pw rear dr. Im 62", 250lb and have plenty of room in all rows of seats. More color options would be nice. Havent had any of problems encountered by some other listed here. Wife and I and 2 kids have been happy.

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  Best car ever!!!! - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sarah - December 20 - 6:16 pm

  I just bought the 2007 model in Carobon Gray and I love it. Its fun and comfortable to drive. At first a little sluggish, but now its moving really well. Hyundai said it learns how you drive so around 1,000 miles it pickes up more speed! MPG could be a little better, but very attractive exterior and interior, very roomy, and a nice price!!!!

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  Respectable - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mark - December 20 - 2:47 pm

  Really a very pleasant car. Very easy to drive, well made, quiet at cruising, nice touches throughout the car despite its very reasonable price. Good on gas at averaging 28-33mpg. Decent sound system with Mp3 capability. Acceleration a bit course but not unbearable. Steering is very light and took some getting used to. Would recommend to anyone who wants a problem free car thats very relaxing to drive. Certainly feels as if its made to last in the way its screwed together and performs.