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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  Quick, fun, economical, no problem - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Doggy Daddy - November 24 - 2:00 am

  After driving this car for a year, I have no complaints and still have some fun everyday, even if its just pulling some Gs on a freeway cloverleaf. Handling is quick and tight, very little understeer, and in good balance with the modest power. This car has good horsepower/weight ratio, so youre never left in the dust. Also, great utility- I can carry an upright bass or set of drums easily. Overall mpg over 30 mpg.

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  Love the 09 Sonata Limited - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Anurag - November 23 - 8:00 pm

  The Altima and Mazda6 are sportier, the Camry and Accord have better resale value, but nothing in the <25k price range beats the Sonata for value, comfort and technolust. Standout features - - iPod integration: The aux+USB interface can charge your ipod, and you can browse artists, playlists, albums etc on the display. The wheel mounted controls can be used to ffwd, rewind and play next / previous songs. No need to touch the ipod once its plugged in. - Hood and trunk have struts. No chance of the hood dropping on your head, no need to move stuff out the way of the trunks hinges. - The console and interior styling belong to a luxury car - superb sound system. Crystal clear treble, deep base

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  Great deal for the money - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By JohnJ - November 23 - 6:56 pm

  Ive got 1,300 miles on the car and so far its been great...... lots of room inside and a huge trunk. Im 66" and fit in the car well. XM radio and sound system very good. My only complaint is the car seems to ride a little hard, bumps are jarring and there is road noise even with the correct air pressure or a little lower. I rented a Sonata a few months ago on vacation which got me interested in the car in the first place, but dont remember this hard ride as an issue. I think the 08 Accord ride is smoother, but at a much higher price. I wonder if anyone else has found the ride to be an problem.

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  Best Yet - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Burdland - November 23 - 1:46 pm

  going on 3000 miles.i had a honda ex 6 cyl before this and this car is far superior in all areas except gas mileage. I only get 18.3 in local driving. I will have to live with that. My only other complaint is the automatic air does not come up for the first 60 to ninty seconds. It seems longer than that in the summer heat of florida. I would recomend this car to all.

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  Do NOT buy - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By frankg068 - November 23 - 12:45 am

  Bout the car early 2012 I had it for a week and on my way home from work it broke down less then 150 miles on it the transmission went out, they had if for a month replaced it 2 weeks later it goes out again and once again they have it for over a month fixing it. I got it back had it for almost 2 months and im going down the highway and my car starts smoking and then shuts off a tow truck comes and gets it brings it to the dealer and they said my engine cracked... i called hyundai and it took me 2 months to get anything done they game me a new one after all that had it for 3 days and my trans went out... gave up traded it for a good car.

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  Love it! - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Jm - November 22 - 10:00 pm

  I am very impressed with this car. I havent had a new car in 10 years, trading in my 1999 Honda Accord, which was a great car, and I made a great choice. I drive a LOT for work and this is a comfortable and fun car to ride when you have to be in it for long periods of time. Im impressed with the leather, I use the bluetooth ALL the time as I am constantly making work calls - people say they sometimes cant tell I am on a bluetooth. Little unimpressed with the speakers. My first tank avg was 24 mpg, second was 25, third was 28. Just seems to go up! GREAT car! My dad, a picky car mechanic, even loves it!

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  The Underrated Alternative - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Matt - November 22 - 6:51 pm

  The car is great. Comfortable, fun to drive and very affordable. But the dealership experience was horrible. I am very happy with this car. Drive this car if you are considering a Civic or Corolla.

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  Nothing but problems - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By JT - November 22 - 9:18 am

  I have owned this car for the last two years. Within a month of purchasing, I needed to have a new transmission installed. Within a few months of purchasing, I had to have my stereo/entertainment console replaced! It lags in take off, and will every now and then struggle to go. I almost got hit because of turning and this happened!!! I strongly recommend you steer clear of this car!

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  Hate it already - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By hater1 - November 21 - 11:06 pm

  Bought a loaded limited awd couple of months ago and cant stand it already the ride is horrible around town can feel every bump and imperfection in the road on the highway its not that bad.The tranny isnt very good either the 2nd to 3rd gear upshift jolts the car into gear very rough but only those 2 gears for some reason had it to 2 dealers now and they can feel it but they have driven othrs on the lot that do the same thing and said thats just the way they shift??? Ive been driving for 21 yrs and had many cars and never had 1 shift like that unless the tranny or computer were bad!!! The bluetooth is horrible also the other person cannot here you very well.Going to look elsewhere soon

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  Mobility Program - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Adrianne - November 21 - 7:43 pm

  I bought the truck so that my 82 year- old cancer-patient Mother could get in and out with ease. I like the truck okay, but I take issue with Hyundais Mobility Program, or rather, the lack thereof. All of the add-ons I needed to assist my Mother were considered "accessories" and Hyundai refuses to pay for them. I wasnt asking for anything extraordinary; a trailer hitch so I can use my wheelchair lift and running boards to steady her while she gets in. Neither one is covered. Smoke and Mirrors and absolutely no substance. Shame on Hyundai.