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 - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Gabriel - August 6 - 3:50 am

  I purchased this vehicle to replace my 2003 Mini Cooper (too small). A+ to the team at Hyundai. I am very pleased with my purchase. This is our second Hyundai and this company keeps improving every year. Interior quality and design are of a very high standard. Powerful, quiet, and fuel efficient v-6. It rides smoothly on the highway and it handles well in small curvy roads. The standard safety features, stability control and curtain air bags, were a big factor in our purchase of this vehicle over the established Camry and Accord. I also prefer the styling of the Sonata over the Japanese competition. In my opinion, this is simply the best value in the mid-size market segment.

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  Very satisfied - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By h2lemonwedge - August 5 - 11:19 am

  I just picked mine up from the dealer yesterday; I had the opportunity to take the car for the weekend while my wife and I "talked" about it a little more. As disappointed as I was to find that this class of car has gone up in price in recent years I feel I got alot for my money. I like the standard features that come with the car.

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  Good Value-for-Money - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By chickaboom - August 4 - 10:56 pm

  Leased my Sonata GLS 07 (with extra trim) in Feb 2007. Debated between this and a Jetta but cost-wise I chose Sonata. It is good overall, except comparing to the Jetta, the quality of the sound system of the Sonata is inferior. Also, the seat of the Sonata does not feel as tailored to the passenger as the Jetta seat is. But it is definitely much BIGGER inside. I enjoy the space. I owned a Jetta and enjoyed it and really like the sporty style and feel of it. But now when I look at a Jetta, it seems to look too small! Its a nice change, but I think that being single, I would still go back to a Jetta next time. Get a Sonata though if you have a family. I dont think you could go wrong.

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  Gen Coupe for the Win - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Draven - August 4 - 10:53 am

  I ordered my 3.8 Gen Coupe in Feb of 2009 and didnt get it until July of 09. Why? Hyundai underestimated demand for the car and ran out of limited slip diffs on 3.8s. Now I know why. The Gen Coupe is a MONSTER ride, and a complete departure from previous Hyundai vehicles, including the modest Tiburon V6 Tuscani. Its a loud-mouthed monster that VERY much hates being driven slow. In fact, driving around in normal city traffic can be a bit less comfortable than opening it up outright. Once youre out of 2nd gear, the car shines. Its responsive as hell, its 0-60 is fantastic for a companys first time RWD car, its features are great, and it turns heads like a Ferrari.

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  Surprisingly fun - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By sonatame - August 3 - 9:30 pm

  Hyundai Sonata fun? You bet! I would have never thought that I could get 80% of an A6 for less than half the price. This car has people staring trying to figure out who makes it. I thoroughly enjoy the comfort, quietness and overall performance of this vehicle and would recommend it to anyone looking for a sporty midsized car with a modest, but stunning look.

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  Jittery suspension - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Mike - August 2 - 5:03 am

  Have owned my 4.6 for four months. it is a great car and excellent value for the money compared to MB,BMW and Lexus. Ive put 6500 miles on the car and the only thing that I dont like about the car is the jittery, bumpy ride on uneven roads, it is fine on the highways and on smooth streets. I live in South Florida and the secondary roads here are pretty good compared to areas that get bad weather, however any imperfection on a road and this car goes into convulsions. Ive complained to the dealer and basically the said there is nothing they can do about it.

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  First thousand miles - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pghstarz - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Purchased 2004 GLS Sonata on Feb. 2. Now have 1000 miles. I am more impressed with the car the longer I drive it. Besides getting a great deal the car is super fun to drive. It rides smooth with the 16" Michlin tires and the V6 has enough power for hills. All in all, well satisfied.

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  Great vehicle for the price - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mikeraxom - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Great car, good milage for a SUV. Fun to drive. Graet front, rear and side vision. We picked the Santa Fe after test driving the Kia and found the Kia to ride rough and have a cheap interior.

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  Good Ride - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By PPeterson - August 2 - 2:00 am

  The Hyndai Santa Fe is fun to drive. The standard shift, however, has one get a little too friendly with the passenger. The vehicle has good looks, a comfortable ride, and easy conversion to put back seats down. After driving a standard shift Camry for 19 years, the gas milage seems higher than I am used to. I still enjoy the Santa Fe and have found it useful and affordable.

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  hyundai santa fe vs toyota rav4 - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By plb - August 2 - 2:00 am

  santa fe as an automatic seems to have more power than manual rav4 2.4 engine. there certainly seems to be more interior room in the santa fe than the rav4, both front and back seats, according to my 57" daughter whom has sat in both front/back seats during trips. i loved my rav4, but have found that i have a new favorite. just bought this santa fe 2/2/04---well see