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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  Must have family sedan - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By tommyc - May 17 - 12:13 pm

  My family has always bought Honda/Acura for the last 10 years. This year the Hyundai Sonata earned my money. Yes, Accord and Camry are great cars but when you compare the price and option, the new Sonata wins hands down. Before I buy, I drove all 3 models and here is my conclusion. Performance on all 3 models 2.4L are comparable, not much more or less of each other. Options are great on all, however the Sonata has ESC = Electronic Stability Control standard on all model. Comparing price, options and warranty, the Sonata wins the final round. This car broke the Honda buying history in my family. Based on the performance and options, this car is underpriced when compared to the Camry and Honda. Similar performance and options but better price and warranty = YOU CANT LOSE.

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  Bought used still smiling 70,000 miles later - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By carperson13290 - May 17 - 7:40 am

  Purchased the Veracruz (1/2011) with 23,000 to replace 03 Murano with 140,000 miles. I needed a heavy safe car capable of carting a lot of people but used primarily to commute approx 800 miles/week often in harsh wintery conditions. The car now has over 100,000. Its much hardier than the Murano (not as fun). It has been relatively problem free. The superior warranty is a huge help-(although less than new). Ive had dealer problems-billed for covered repairs and most recently, when problems were due to known recall issue-stood my ground. Ive replaced the windshield wiper mechanism-bought used. It is very sturdy safe car with great flexible space-Id buy it again except they D/Cd it. Why?

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  You will love this car - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By ManofSteel - May 17 - 2:00 am

  We first test drove, and almost bought a Nissan Altima, before we bought are Sonata. We found the Sonata to be more comfortable, more stylish, and a much better value. Our white Sonata, with optional moonroof, turns heads everywhere we go. We have literally came out of stores and found people peeking in our windows, checking out our car. The Sonanta is very fun to drive and takes turns like a sports car. The only downside is that the V6 lacks the horsepower of the Altima, Accord, and Camry. However the V6 far from dissapoints with great acceleration of the start.

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  Great car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By GLS - May 13 - 11:46 am

  Excellent car--fun to drive--beautiful design. My friends admire it. I definitely would buy another.

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  V6 Landshark - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Surfer - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I was looking at the Acura RSX and Toyota Celica GT but got way more car for the money with the Tiburon GT V6! It comes with everything I wanted so the only option I paid for was the Shiftronic autotrans. Ill never go back to a regular manual trans. The 360 watt Infinity sound system has enought bass to feel it in your bones but is clear sounding low and even loud! The recarro style seats are great in the turns and also comfy on long drives. The styling gets alot of looks, it only has a logo not the "Hyundai" name anywhere on it alot of people will ask "What kind of car is that?"

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  First SUV and Lovin it - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By sunnydaze4u62 - May 12 - 6:27 am

  I have only had this little thing for a few weeks now but so far I love it. It handles very well on the road and the look is just what I have been looking for, its the right size for me. Only two complaints about it....not enough leg room for the driver and upfront passengers and the gas mileage. Was really hoping for a good MPG but I guess we cant have everything in life to go our way. It is used and I suspect that I will have some small issues coming around but all in all so far im very very happy.

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  The Elantra - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By KEITH - May 12 - 3:26 am

  My wife & I went to the local dealership with every intention of trading in our old Accent for another new one. The dealership offered us an Elantra for the same price, so it was a no brainer to upgrade. Everything about the Elantra is so much better than the Accent, its just a different class of vehicle. Good room and fuel economy are its major selling points, with no problems after five months and five thousand miles. Overall, no real complaints, though I would have liked a sunroof and/or anti-lock brakes.

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  Touring in winter - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By mark - May 12 - 2:56 am

  Ok, so here we are in winter. Had a couple of snow storms and tried out the Touring in the snow. Heres the update, the anti-lock / traction controls work. The pedal has a good heavy throbbing to it when it works. Better than you having to pump the pedal. Anti lock has loud sound, will scare at first. The tires are the regular all season so dont count on good traction with these Optimo 624. Snow tires are really needed. When traction control works... slowed car down good and kept everything going in a straight line. Overall not bad on snowy roads but like I said get the snows.

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  Luxury and economy! - 2011 Hyundai Veracruz
  By cmccarthy816 - May 11 - 10:00 am

  We purchased the 2011 Veracruz over the weekend and so far love it! After driving several other higher end models the comfort and value here outshines even the luxury brands wed driven. For the feel of driving on a cloud while keeping my budget on the ground, this couldnt be beat!

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  I review all these reviewers - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By TK - May 11 - 10:00 am

  First thing I would say is take these reviews with a grain of salt, half these people have no concept of anything. I read one review that said "i get wet when i open my windows in the rain" lol. "the SE is too sporty" ok. I got the SE in white after i traded my Acura TL-type S(with a busted tranny again). The SE has taut steering and a LOT of road feel(includes noise). The noise is exaggerated by all the roadwork across the US. If you want a softer feel and less noise, get new tires(i get 16" snows in Dec). The build quality tops everyone in the segment(anyone who says otherwise just doesnt know or got the 1 in a 100 lemon). The car has some go and always wants to be moving. Heads do turn.