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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  Solid choice - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By fnt4grc - February 22 - 10:00 am

  From the very first test drive, I was sold. Im just really happy I drove all the competitors first to realize what a good choice I made. The car looks great inside and out. Smooth,quite and comfortable. Everythings standard equipment and the price, WOW! Up to $8000 less than the other name brands that are showing their age(dull and stodgy) no matter what trim level you get.

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  Hyundai you hit a Homer with the Sonata - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Barney - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive---has more power then you might think for a four cylinder. Good acceleration and rides smooth on well paved highways. A little rough on bumpy roads. Power front drivers seat is great-- -could use one for the passenger side. My wife wishes she could raise her seat.

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  Hyundai better than Toyota - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jake Seim - February 22 - 3:56 am

  The Hyundai Sonata is a great car to buy. The ride is smooth, the miles per gallon are great, and the space/room on the inside are uncomparable. Im a tall guy, and after sitting in both the Camry and the Sonata, the Sonata is considerably larger on the inside. The trunk is bigger as well. The Sonata comes with 6 standard airbags, while the Camry comes with only 4. The safety rating from the government rates the Sonata higher as well. Korea has really come up in the car world since 1986. My wife and I love the car and feel the safety features are uncomparable for our 3 month old son.

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  Great Value - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mike - February 22 - 2:06 am

  After 2200 miles, I am very satisfied with this car. The 4 cylinder has plenty of power for my needs. Fuel economy is impressive for a car its size, 27-29 MPG, mixed driving, in an area with a lot of hills. Very comfortable, great legoom in the back seat for the kids. I will typically keep a car over 100k miles, so low lifetime cost of ownership is a big factor. The 2.4 liter engine has a timing chain, so there are no expensive TB canges to worry about. Auto transmission service interval up to 100k mi.

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  What a Great Buy - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By zmngbyu - February 21 - 9:03 pm

  Just a fun vehicle to drive. People ask questions all the time about this vehicle. People have told me that they are are impressed with this new look.

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  winter done review time - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By mark - February 21 - 8:53 pm

  Well, heres my third review of the touring. Made it through another CT. winter. So how was the car in the snow??? With the Hankook tires on car they were ok. Snows really should be used for greater traction. Anti-lock brakes work great. Kind of scared me when they came on, a little loud. All options worked well. So far after 10500 miles I get 33 mpg. city... 40 highway. No rattles or defects as of yet. Had to change cabin air filter not to bad, but you must be careful when removing side tabs...sidearm support easy to detach. Air filter hard to get out. MUST use a screw driver tip to catch edge of filter to get it out. took 20 min. first time. Will go faster next year.

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  My wife loves this car! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Scott P - February 21 - 5:46 pm

  My wife loves this car! I like it myself. It is sound, comfortable and even the 4cyl. engine has a decent amount of get up and go. Everything inside is at the drivers fingertips.

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  Santa Fe, Best Choice by far for us. - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By davidc5 - February 21 - 10:46 am

  Previously owned a Subaru Outback, then Mazda Tribute. Test drove Toyota RAV, Highlander, Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-7 and 9. The Santa Fe was by far the best vehicle for us and best value. Quiet comfortable cabin. Plenty of HP and smooth shifting. We were looking for a larger vehicle than the Tribute and though we would buy the Pilot but after comparing all, it was no contest, Santa Fe hands down. The size is right for us, the finish inside is outstanding with great controls, plenty of knee and leg room, firm but comfortable seats and a great driving position. Exterior styling has an "attitude." Getting 18 MPG around town and 23+ on a trip from Denver to Aspen and back.

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  Beware of 2013 Sonata remote starter kit defect - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By mdh2 - February 21 - 6:10 am

  Bought my car in May. Everything is excellent with the car EXCEPT OEM remote starter kit had major defect if installed in the 2013 Sonata. Purchased kit during sale. Needed to wait 4-6 weeks before 2013 kits were available. When it was available, Hyundai dealership installed it but it failed (i.e., would actually turn engine off). Dealership informed me wiring instructions were wrong from Hyundai. Dealership kept car for 2 weeks and couldnt figure out problem. Regional technician came in and also couldnt figure it out either. Dealership removed unit and returned car back to factory default. Finally got my money back.

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  Great alternative to camry - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By carguy150 - February 19 - 10:40 am

  Traded my 2003 Camry SE, this car is great the fuel economy is great Im getting mid to low 30s. The interior layout is great everything you need is at the tip of your fingers on the steering wheel. Power is good for a four banger. I have owned this car for 3 months and have a little over 4000 miles. Im hoping I have the same luck I had out of my 03 camry not a problem one. I keep my cars 8+ years. The one complaint I would have is the drivers seat is a little uncomfortable at first but the lumbar support helped greatly. At this point Id recommend this car to anyone looking for a family sedan. If youd asked me years ago Id never thought about buying a Hyundai, build quality is great.