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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  $18,000 Including TTL! - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Danish American 73 - September 14 - 4:46 am

  I have been looking at the Sonatas for months now and finally jumped in when I saw the $3000 rebate. Since the first time I saw it I thought it reminded me of a BMW or high-end Honda. Beautiful lines and Xenon headlamps make it a very sexy car. Even the XM/FM radio antenna complete this picture. The front fog lamps are also cool looking. The 4Cyl is by far the most powerful and quietest 4Cyl Ive ever driven. It easily compares with my stock 6Cyl Nissan Maxima engine for acceleration. It was an easy choice after test driving the 4 and 6. Yes, the 6Cyl is VERY powerful and fast, but the extra $2000 price tag plus the annual increase in fuel cost of $400 is simply not worth it.

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  GREAT CAR FOR THE MONEY PAID - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mladen - September 14 - 2:10 am

  I am a car enthusiast and love cars. I cant afford BMWs or Mercedes so I have to buy what I can afford. This is our 2nd Hyundai (have a 2007 Santa Fe limited). I paid $13,500 out of the door. You can not buy a new car for this money. Now to the car, great redesigned interior, VERY smooth 4cyl 175hsp engine with a VERY smooth suspension and soft clutch, very quiet ride, no more or less than a Honda Accord (which I also have). Theres plenty of room, very comfortable seats, nicely designed dash and center console and beautiful exterior and paint selections. I only wish that the GLS came with the sunroof option and the dual exhaust or that the SE model came in a 5speed transmission. I love it

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  MY BABY JAG!!! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By JOY - September 13 - 9:49 pm

  My first car ever was the Excel she treated well through out those harsh Chicago winters. So I moved up to the Elantra she treated well also. So I said what the heck get the Sonata. I think the 2004 has the best body build of all the Hyundais. I love the quick speed pick up of that V6 engine, those horses just win durby evry time. I have not attemped to use that shift gear, for what? I still get asked what kind of car is that when I am at the car wash. People call it a baby Jag. The back spoiler I had installed gives it such a arrow dynamic look and feel. When I let my friend drive it one day and she drive up in it, I was like is that me!!!! Yes! I am very happy with my baby Jag

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  I highly recommend this car - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By John - September 13 - 8:18 pm

  For the money, this one of the finest cars that I have ever drove. The vehicle has everything at your fingertips and all the controls are easy to figure out WITHOUT reading the owners manual. This car has the Camry, Accord & Impala beat. Fuel mileage 29-30 mpg @ 70mph....very good for a vehicle of this size

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  Exceptional value-Great Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tom N - September 13 - 10:13 am

  After taking a test drive on the Sonata I was sold. I have been very impressed by the fit and finish of the car. I am getting the 20/30 fuel rating listed and have enjoyed riding either to the store or on the road. Has great acceleration and is fun to drive. The LX is extremely quite and has a very big feel to it. Once people start to learn more about the new Sonata they will become more popular than the Camery ar Accord. Great value, best safety features available, and excellent quality. Best kept secret around. Great job Hyundai

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  My Toyota Rival - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By john gibbons - September 13 - 2:00 am

  great car in price and value

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  Great car, best seats in the biz - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By mirobert - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Great car! We were looking for an "appliance" car for my wife to drive to offset the bad ride my Neon R/T was rapidly becoming. However, I refused to jump on the Honda bandwagon after seeing how decontented and bland Civics had become. Were very pleased. Its all we expected, and really fun to drive too.

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  Elantra - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Brad Amann - September 13 - 2:00 am

  We have had this car for two years. I think it is a great car for the money. It isnt fast but has enough power to pull 4 adults up a hill without feeling like you will not make it. With dual front and side air bags and a nice interior there is no reason to pay more for a Honda or Toyota unless you just like the name.

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  best of the best - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By B Walker - September 12 - 6:34 pm

  The Azera is the finest car we have had it bows my Infiniti away in all areas. We have had many Luxury cars and never thought we would buy a Hyundai. One test drive and it was over. No problems at all execellent gas millage. Puts Cad. Lexus,Infinity,Buick and all other cars we have had to shame.

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  Excellent Buy - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dave - September 12 - 11:46 am

  I recently purchased the Limited V6 with NAV, Leather, Bluetooth. Have about 700 miles. Averaging 28.5 MPG true Highway, 24 MPG Limited city, 21MPG City. Overall very impressed with vehicle. Drove the Camry and the Sonata blew it away in comfort and styling. Only knock is slight hesitation in acceleration after decelerating. Nav performs great and much smaller than most vehicles and touch screen a plus, Bluetooth has good performance. The fit and finish is far superior than the 2008 Sonata. Seats are very comfortable and dual zone temperature control feature is awesome although temperature seems to run a little hotter than actual. Purchased car during 2K rebate. No regrets with purchase.