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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  Very Pleased - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Roger Fellers - October 8 - 12:23 pm

  I am very pleased after one month and 15oo miles. The car is very responsive, comfortable, and fun to drive. I am very happy with the fit and finish, the number of conveniences, and the ride and handling. In town mileage a little disappointing, highway very good at 30- 31 mpg.

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  Excellent Car - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By cdbluejr - October 8 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best car I have ever had (I have had a few). Lasted 6 years without any major repairs. Needs engine work now (93,100). Heater quit working last year (summer, 2002).

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  A GREAT LITTLE CAR - 1996 Hyundai Accent
  By FJP6910 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Have made many trips in the 250 oneway range over the years and never had a problem. Made several 3500 mile oneway trips..had no problems, was comfortable and loved the mileage. Has been virtually NO MECHANICAL problems since buying it new.

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  Worth the Money - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bloodclot - October 8 - 2:00 am

  I have roughly 7800 miles on my Sonata and its been a great car from day 1. I do 95% city driving and I get a consistent 20MPG. The only problem Ive encountered was about 80 miles ago the engine light came on while I was driving. The dealer fixed the problem with no charge and no hassles. Power wise, its no drag racer but has been more than adequate for my needs. Handling has been good but there is body roll in sharp turns. The ride is smooth, quiet and comfortable. My 9 year old daughter loves the fold-down center console in the back seat. The build quality is excellent. It really is a tight and solid car.

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  Sonata 2015 Eco! Nice car. - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By JP - October 8 - 12:32 am

  I just bought mine maybe 2 weeks ago! This is my 3rd Hyundai. Very happy with the brand. Its a midsize car, roomy interior, with the gas mileage of a compact car. Awesome! They give you alot for a base model. The only thing I did not like is the stereo. Its VERY LOW wattage and low sound. I didnt realize that other models had an upgraded sound system. Disappointing, since I like loud sound and bass! Other than that, Im happy!

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  Chili Pepper Red Elantra - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Tom - October 7 - 5:36 am

  When the Cash for clunkers was announced I headed for the Hyundai dealership and there it was. A Chili Pepper red Elantra Touring just begging to be bought. Took a quick test drive and told the salesman to put a sold sign on it. Easiest decision I ever made. I absolutely love this car. Quick, precise steering, peppy enough and, to my eyes, a beauty to behold (love the color). Throw in great brakes, XM radio, handling that makes Ozark mountain curves a blast to drive and lots of room to haul stuff in and you have one happy owner. Im getting 29.7 MPG combined. The stiff suspension (which I like)is the price you pay for good handling.

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  Excellent quality, so so mpg - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By smithcha100 - October 6 - 4:03 am

  If you want a nice car, luxury like but not at luxury prices, then this is the car you want. Good pickup but mpg lower than advertised.

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  1000 miles in and I absolutely love the 2017 Sport - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By brundagefamily@comcast.net - October 3 - 10:04 pm

  I have completed just under 1000 miles in my new 2017 Elantra Sport manual transmission and I can honestly say that I love it. My prior car was a 2013 Sonata 2.0T and I was a bit concerned moving into the Elantra Sport for several reasons. First, it is a smaller car. Second, the Sonata 2.0T was a wolf in sheeps clothing as far as acceleration. My concerns were unfounded. The Elantra Sport has plenty of room, especially in the front seats. The leather bucket seats have excellent support and are quite comfortable (I am six foot and 215lbs). The acceleration in the Elantra Sport is well above average. I certainly havent been in any situation where the car was under powered. Finally I am getting about 31 mpg in a mostly suburban driving environment - much better than I was expecting and a significant improvement over the Sonata. I highly recommend this car!

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  Mileage champ - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jack - October 2 - 2:03 pm

  Car has GDI engine, I bought new, now have 56k miles. Outstanding gas mileage. Best highway mileage was with just me in the car, barely any luggage and a fall day, keeping it on flat ground thru the Midwest for 400 miles at between 65 and 70 mph I got 41 mpg, and this was dividing number of gallons by miles driven. Computer is always optimistic - usually 2 mpg higher than what it really is when checking the math. Car gets around 26-27 mpg city, with the family in the car and going 70 on the freeway expect 36-38 mpg. Decent power with the 2.4 engine. I run full synthetic oil all the time and BG fuel and oil cleaners regularly. Standard radio is the only downfall. It is weak. Road noise is also a minor irritation. Comfort of a/c and heater are good. Absolutely no mechical issues to date. Battery lasted 3 year, Hankook tires were replaced after 55k miles, - they could have gone 60k though but were getting real noisy. Replaced tires with contenitial dws06 tires. They are about the same as the original hankooks which I think were real good tires. Car goes good in the snow, but as tires wear you loose traction on incline and experience spin. Car handle real well in the wet weather. Lots of room and cargo space for family of 4. Well put together car, but depreciates quickly. Get a used one as there is no difference between the 2011 thru 2014.

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  Just bought it - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pierre - October 2 - 8:26 am

  I have replace my BMW with this new Sonata 2006 and let me tell you, I would never pay big bucks anymore, this new 2006 has everything plus the comfort and speed and road stability. The manufacturer has put a lot in this new 2006 and they have succeeded, paying for big names is not value anymore, you have to try this new Hyundai.