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 Value...suspect build quality - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By ryster - December 20 - 6:00 am

  My 2011 Sonata GLS w/PEP2 is now 1-year old. From a value for the money perspective, the car is outstanding. High level of standard features that cost way more in the competition. The build quality of the car, however, is very questionable. After only 1-year and 14,300 miles, my Sonata is full of rattles. Door panels, dash, rear parcel shelf, center console...rattles everywhere. The dealer said they would need to remove the entire dash to "attempt" to fix the dash rattle. I normally keep cars 3-4 years, however the Sonata will be traded much sooner than that. Just need to find a suitable replacement.

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  Take care of it, and it can last - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chris from AZ - December 20 - 2:39 am

  I bought the car for the the reliabillity of its engine, which has proven to be reliable beyond 130,000 and still going. As with ALL cars things WILL go over time, none of them major. Taking care of it and replacing the transmission mount at 100k (which is the cause of uncontrolled reving, and gear slip) Gear slip is also caused by finicky INPUT and OUTPUT speed sensors. In either case the problem goes away when fixed.

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  2006 Hyundai Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Clarice Ellison - December 19 - 3:43 pm

  I owned a 1999 Elantra previously and the 2006 Sonata far exceeded my expectations. I did not have any trouble from my Elantra and I wanted to stay with the 10 year warranty. I had looked at the 2005 Sonata and they too are nice but the 2006 is larger, roomier and to be quite honest, it compares easily to other midsize cars in looks. My insurance agent could not believe it was a Hyundai. I love my car!

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  Why drive anything else? - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Bob - December 19 - 3:03 pm

  Ive owned many different cars in the last 32 years - all European, and Ive kept an eye on the market. The Azera is, in my opinion, the best luxury car you can get for the money. To get a comparably equipped car from anyone else, youd have to spend at least $5k more, and you probably still wouldnt have rain-sensing wipers. The Azera is very quick, handles well, and has clean, distinctive, styling. And dont forget the LED tail lights, as they afford those behind you an extra margin when youre stopping. Though city economy is not great, Ive consistently acheived 28+ MPG on the highway. I just dont see how you could go wrong. This is the frugal buyers luxury car!

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  happy owner - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By radu - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I drive my Elantra for 1 1/2 years now and I am very pleased with it. Now Im thinking to buy a Santa Fe.

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  2006 Hyundai Azera - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By WILLIAM SHRIGLEY - December 19 - 1:12 am

  I work at an auction yard, and drive all makes and models of cars, and the only car that can match the Azera is the BMW, but it costs to much money.

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  Not comfortable to drive - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Virginia Driver - December 18 - 7:26 pm

  I cannot get comfortable in the drivers seat. I love everything about it except driving it! Have had to replace tires too soon because of an alignment problem. Noticed the new tires wearing and checked the alignment and it was out just a tiny bit, dont know why my tires are wearing on the inside. There is a clunking noise under the front. I feel like something is going to fall off. Im thinking of trading it for a Forester. It has 65k miles on it and hasnt given me any real problems and it was great in the snow. Average 22 mpg, maybe 25 on interstate. I hate climbing in this vehicle. I just cannot get the seat adjusted to fit the steering wheel comfortably. It has great brakes and radio.

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  Nice car with more bang for the buck - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By skipperl - December 18 - 1:46 pm

  Well, replaced my 2001 Ford explorer Sport and this thing rocks. It has so many features its ridiculous. A ton room and storage areas, extra 12vdc plugs in various locations, the stereo is great once the equalizer is tuned up, the USB port works great with a normal usb cable. Its quiet, fast and the ride is very smooth with the 3.3 L. The blue lights are just like my VW dash, nice. The interior is really upscale, very comfortable. The back seats have plenty of room and the recline with a nice little arm rest back there too. Rear cargo space is more than my Ford and the under mat storage in great to have. Sharp body design. You cant get a SUV for this $ with all these features.

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  warranty fail - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Anna - December 18 - 8:08 am

  I was in love with my car. I took out extended warranty, bumper to bumper warranty(inside and out). I convinced 12 of my family and friends to buy a Hyundai. I serviced my car religiously. Warranty ran out at 100,000 miles and at 110,000 I now need a new transmission. Paint starting peeling at 108,000 headlights fogged over at 102,000. If it werent for so many Hyundai transmission problems I would look for a new transmission. Now that Ive read about all the other people that have had the same thing, why bother.

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  Works great in the snow - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By tef - December 18 - 1:10 am

  This Santa Fe handles snow conditions great. I deliver papers on gravel roads and use this on snowy days. I have zero worries about getting stuck in the snow. Only once have I been stuck. I drove into a 3 foot high drift and drifted toward the roadside. I got wedged against the road bank. If you need a SUV for the winter conditions, this is it. Other than in severe conditions I prefer my V6 Camry.