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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  LOVE EVERYTHING BUT GAS MILEAGE - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By MAX RODDEY - May 23 - 10:00 am

  MY SECOND HYUNDAI FIRST AN ELANTRA..THIS SANTA FE IS A GREAT RIDING CAR..WISH I HAD BETTER GAS MILEAGE..GOT TO GET USED TO 4 CYL ON SUCH A LARGE LOAD THOUGH..FINE ONCE YOU GET UP TO FREEWAY SPEED..BUT DANGEROUS ON ACCESS UNLESS YOU REALLY FLOOR IT..BUT ALL IN ALL i LIKE IT A LOT..

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  Unbelievable value - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By GWC - May 23 - 6:03 am

  I bought this car this weekend using the referrals Edmunds makes available. This automobile came completely loaded except for NAV and Sunroof. I bought the car for $17321, net. The glove box cover needs some adjustments and I didnt get a valet key but I believe that these problems settled.

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  Fantastic Value - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Piano Man - May 22 - 9:30 pm

  Im a 3 time Accord owner who switched because I saved $4,500 with the Sonata. What a value! Only sacrifice is in a bit of road feel handling - the Sonata is equal or better than the Accord in every other way. Ride is definitely smoother/quieter - a great highway car! Trip computer makes me a more efficient driver - 26 mpg city, 34-35 highway. Great safety features, including stability control, which was a requirement. Fit/finish, seating and interior space is wonderful, and all the standard equipment makes me feel like Ive bought a luxury car. XM radio is fantastic, nav system is terrific. Styling is generic but classy. I drove about 5 other cars, but after 3000 miles, no regrets!

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  Long on Value - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Elton - May 22 - 7:32 pm

  I already own a Ford Focus and have owned Hondas, Nissans, and Toyotas. The first years mediocre performance of my 2005 Ford Focus SE made me look to an import. Honda, Nissan, and Toyota have priced themselves out of the budget market without providing that much higher quality and finish than Hyundai. I had reservations about Hyundai, but I did my research and was surprised at the reviews. Ive now owned this vehicle for a month and have averaged 27 mpg in city (Atlanta) driving. I have not found any quirks with the car and am pleased that I have had no buyers remorse. The car could use a few more horsepower, but with the 5 speed is still respectable. It may be dated, but its a bargain.

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  2005 Elantra GT - Ottawa, Canada - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Eric - May 21 - 1:13 pm

  After 3 months of highway driving, there was a very noticeable vibration in the steering wheel at speeds greater than 100 Km/hr. The rack & pinion was replaced free of charge, but I was charged for an alignment. Two weeks later, the vibration was back. This time I was charged for a wheel re-balancing. The CD player was repaired three times in a year. The tires were bald after 40,000 Km. There is excessive brake and wind noise. The drivers front headlight bulb has been repalced twice in 40,000 km (I seldom drive at night, so only the running lights are on).

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  Great car for the price - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By JJJZ - May 20 - 9:13 pm

  For all this in one car you cant beat the price. I drove an Accord and Mazda 6 and each of those cars with these options would have costs $5K - $6K more! Very impressed so far with my new car!

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  My Wonderful Car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ms Crofut - May 20 - 8:48 pm

  Bought the car new and have loved it every since. Have a one month old and a just turned 2 year old and I appreciate the ease of putting the car seats in and out. I enjoy having a sporty looking car with room for my family. I have taken several long road trips and have enjoyed the over all handling of the car on different terains. The size of the trunk is also a plus since having two small children requires alot of space to haul all of their extras (play pens, swings, etc.) to and from the babysitters. Overall I have and will continue to recommend this car to anyone who asks. For the money their isnt a better car out there.

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  should have waited on 2006 - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By John - May 20 - 8:09 pm

  I had a 99 Elantra with 160,000 miles and it was a great car. I saw an ad for the 2006 Sonata and went to a local dealership. He told me that it would be several months before the 2006 Sonata would be available and wouldnt have any discounts for 6 months after release. I gave in and purchased the 2005 GL with the power moonroof as the only luxury. They gave me nothing for my tradein. The salesman kept me so busy using the shifter that I didnt notice the 4cyl engine vibration. I did the first day I took it to work and brought it in to be checked out, they told me all the 4 cyl vibrate that badly and there was nothing that could be done. I have had people stop carpooling because of it.

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  Great car at a good price - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mario Augusto - May 20 - 1:00 pm

  I highly recomend this car. The design turns heads, the interior is spacious and comfortable, the ride is smooth and responsive. The sunroof and mproved radio option is worth the money. I traded a 2003 Snata, which was a very good car but underpowered. Miles per gallon are short of advertised. I live in Florida and the airconditioner is very important, this car has cold air even in 95 degree weather.

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  great auto - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By ariola - May 20 - 10:43 am

  good handling,& comfort,winter & summer