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:

• 

  Love of Sonata - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By John T. - August 26 - 9:00 am

  This is my second hyundai sonata, and I can say that, without a doubt, Sonatas are great vehicles. The power of the 4 cylinder is unlike any other, and the ride is smooth. It handles corners that other cars have to slow down for. I must say it is a good car for a single person, or for a small family. With loads of storage, and extra power ports for coolers, dvd players, or any such travel device, it is worth the money. with 10 year 100,000 first owner warranty, and 5 year 60,000 second owner warranty, it is definitely worth the money.

• 

  Better than the 2010 Model - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dave - August 25 - 11:20 pm

  I was shopping for a new Elantra or Sonata to replace my 2002 Elantra, which had nearly 140,000 miles on it, without any problems. Depending on the rebate and the deal you get, you can probably get a comparably equipped 2011 Sonata GLS for only about $1200 more than a 2010 Sonata, and it is a much better car, better handling, Bluetooth, Ipod/USB included, folding side mirrors, etc. Ive had the car for about a month, and I love the handling, the electronics (especially the bluetooth, XM, and Ipod/USB connectivity), the gas mileage, and the styling, there isnt much I dont like. Ive had numerous people ask me if its some new German car design.

• 

  The most awesome car Ive ever seen! - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By monicamae4 - August 25 - 11:17 am

  I bought a 2011 Hyundai Tucson, limited. We got such a sale, 18,900, 39,000 miles, for a fully loaded. We went for a Toyota Rav 4, 2011 with 54,000 miles on it, for the same price. Test drove both, and, the Tucsons much smoother ride beat the Rav by miles. I cant drive large vehicles and dont like sedans. This CUV, seems like it was made for me. I love the small turning radius, so much. The seats are very comfortable, even the back seats are as wonderful as the front. I cannot stop talking about this car, I, me, I actually have a Tucson in my driveway, it just blows me away. Driving this CUV, is a very fun experience, cant believe there arent more out there.

• 

  Skids Review - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kent Skidmore - August 25 - 10:39 am

  My wife and I loved this car and would have purchased the 2016 model but the exterior/interior color selections did not meet our requirement. We wanted a red or white exterior with a black leather interior. These combinations are not available. The only color interior available is light beige or light grey. Both show dirt too easily. The same held true for the KIA Optima. We ended up buying a Subaru Outback; Pearl white with black leather. We love it.

• 

  2000 Hyundai Tiburon - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Leo M - August 25 - 4:50 am

  Bought used in 01 with 8k miles. I have been HARD on this car (2.5 miles of dirt road daily, curvy roads, extremely fast, hit a dear at 65 mph, into ditches, over curbs) and it has held up tremendiously. Has 125K miles now. Have had to do very few repairs. Other than brakes, oil changes and tire rotation/replacement, I have only changed the spark plugs and wires twice, coil once, radiator once, belt once, battery once, wheel bearing once. This car is very reliable, it has never left me stranded anywhere, and mechanicly seems to be nearly indestructable. I couldnt be happier with my car. Even through I have drove the hell out of this car, it still runs great and looks nice inside and out!

• 

  2007 Hyundai Tucson - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Jerry L. Frank - August 24 - 5:26 am

  The styling is excellent. The body has no rattles and sounds solid closing the doors. It could have a little more power but is acceptable.

• 

  2013 Santa Fe Steering is scary on straigh highway - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By njuneer - August 23 - 5:49 am

  We have 256 miles on one week old 2013 Santa Fe Sport -non turbo. Great car, great style, good warranty..... however power steering is scary on straight highway.... it constantly requires correction to keep it on the road. Should have read up on this one before purchase. Dealer says all is OK....alignment, tire pressure, steering system. Was told to just get used to it....not happy at all....will be taking it to the next level soon. Recommend a 30 mile highway test drive before purchase.....

• 

  Nice Car - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By nss79 - August 22 - 9:23 pm

  Traded in a 2005 Santa Fe for this car, and this is a nice improvement. This car has a very nice, smooth ride and plenty of features. We got the premium package, mostly for the heated seats. Everything in the interior is well placed. Power is good enough with the 2.7, but I wouldnt mind a little more. The fact that my wife drives only 2 miles to work really hurts the MPG, but with more highway driving 20+ MPG is easy to do. Overall we are very satisfied with this car and will be keeping it for a while.

• 

  Not What I Thought? Confused - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Alvin C - August 22 - 4:13 pm

  Lots of inner noise - sqeeks when hitting bumps. Auto lights feature doesnt always work correctly. Some of the noise come from the CHEAP Brigestone Dueller 2 tires on the vehicle - would definitely change to Michelans or Good Year Eagles

• 

  Best of the Pick - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jose Rodriguez - August 22 - 2:46 pm

  Test drove Honda Accord EX-L, Ford Fusion SE, Toyota Camry SE, and the Nissan Altima. To be honest I doubted the Sonata, as my mom had purchased an Elentra back when Hyundai had just started selling vehicles over here in the States. All I remember of that car was inferior design and quality material compared to other cars of that time (1999 to be exsact)...I was on the verge of finalizing a deal on the Ford Fusion; but, I listend to the wife and took this out for a test drive. Needless to say, it blew the competition in my opinion out of the water. BEAUTIFUL car, awesome power, just more than what I was expect, a true game changer. Way to go Hyundai //cheers !!!!