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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  Outstanding Redesign & Value - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By John of Columbus,NC - February 11 - 3:16 am

  I traded in a 2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited. The new 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited is more than I expected. The car is more comfortable than any I have owned in recent past. At highway speeds it holds the road securely. The Radiant Silver exterior is handsome and the black leather interior is the perfect contrast. The Dimension sound system is clear and balanced and a huge improvement. The car has everything one could ask for except navigation. I have a Garmin GPS for that. What a great automobile. Hyundai does it right!

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  Compared with the Accord, Altima, and Camry ... Sonata FINALLY on top (and my 1st new car)! - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By jbrams - February 10 - 2:50 pm

  I spent 4 weeks comparing mid-sized sedans eventually resolving to buy either the 2011 Accord LX-P or the Sonata GLS (pop pack 2). I posted the comparison charts at hyundai-forums.com and driveaccord.net ... you can compare them yourself, but even the DriveAccord.net posters agreed that the Sonata was a better buy in every element except reputation. Im VERY happy with my great looking and driving Soanta, the price thru Hyundai Circle (plan A) was excellent, and the service department is great.

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  Check it Out!! - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dennis - February 10 - 1:23 pm

  I bought this car right after Christmas. I looked at the sonata in and out. This is one of the best cars I have ever owned. The power of the v-6 is awesome! Inside is so quiet you cant even hear the engine running. The infinety sound system is the best sounding stereo Ive ever had in a car. Also the heated leather seats came in Handy this winter. I have gotten many compliments on the style of the car. Some people think its a Lexus or Mercedes. The gas mileage is not bad either. I get about 26 mpg combo city and interstate driving. I highly recommend anyone to test drive the sonata. I think theyll be sold like I was.

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  Wow - Couldnt be happier!! - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By vanessa5 - February 10 - 11:03 am

  Just purchased the 2012 Veloster - Fully Loaded with Style and Tech package white/grey leather combo. This was the ACTUAL car at the OC auto show that I fell in love with less than 24 hours before! On the drive back to the office, I got SEVERAL blinding stares on the freeway, including a few waves as well and thumbs up signs! Im a bit of a car fanatic - this is actually my 3rd car in addition to a 350z and 2011 Ford Edge, and I can honestly say this car is as fun to drive as my 350z. Doesnt have the same power BUT the handling and grip to the road is superb. For having every option and getting out of the dealer for ~25k, I feel like this is a bargain and a HUGE bang for your buck!!

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  Nice surprise - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jacukel - February 10 - 10:16 am

  Never owned a Korean vehicle before— had the same skepticism others have. Was given one at a car rental place in Phoenix this spring. I was incredibly surprised by how solid the vehicle was, the performance and the nice little extras throughout the car. Shopped Jeep, Ford and Chevy before going with the Santa Fe— the dealer also bent over backward to make me a deal. I love the stereo, the seats (even without power adjustment), car really zips around— and like I said, nice little extras (cargo net, full-size spare, cargo cover, child seat anchors, 3 DC outlets, traction control). Negatives? Funky exterior styling, a lot of lean in hard turns. Beyond that, not much.

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  Solid Value - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Steve F. - February 10 - 9:42 am

  Bought my new 2006 Azera Limited several months ago. So far, build quality appears to be excellent. No major or minor quirks of any type. The 262-hp engine is fast, but with slight lag when hitting accelerator.

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  valentines day - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By valentines day - February 9 - 5:30 pm

  on february 14 i was in a head on collision. this vehicle did exactly what it was supposed to do. I felt like I was surrounded by a safety cage. I walked away with simply bruises. Although I can not say the same thing for my vehicle, unfortunately it looks as though the frame was bent. I will definitely buy another one! thank you

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  Worst Suv Ever - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By B-E-N-I-T-O - February 9 - 3:46 pm

  Well stating I have only had my Santa- fe for a few months now I must say I will never by another Hyundai ever again. The santa-fe is built cheap compared to other foreign models. The parts are extremely expensive. Parts are not high quality, transmission have many problems. Heated seat got so hot it burnt a hole in my drivers seat, center-console it very cheap plastic. Has left me stranded 3 times now and with a nice Wrecker bill also.

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  Fantastic & Wonderful Van - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By gil kim - February 8 - 3:46 pm

  I drove 800 miles from LA to SF and LA again right after taking the van out of the showroom. Its power and comfort surprised me. At the reasonable price far less than $30,000, all the features of cocnvenience and safety are thoughtful and way beyond any dreamers expectation. I am so happy with this vehicle that everybody listening to my high recommendation thinks I am carzy with it.

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  Excellent Value, Excellent Features - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Seon - February 8 - 3:03 pm

  Driving has been great. Vehicle has enough power to handle all tasks. Handles smoothly and is comfortable at the wheel.