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 my new Sonata! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By shetryed2 - July 6 - 8:06 pm

  I traded in my 2008 Sonata SE for this new 2011 Sonata SE. What a difference! The 08 Sonata was a good reliable vehicle. The new on is all that plus beautiful to look at with additional features (Bluetooth, IPod jack, 18 in tires, keyless entry) that make this a real pleasure to own and drive. Definitely a great decision, to upgrade to this vehicle.

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  I like it - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By rickdaine - July 6 - 11:45 am

  I purchased the car as in between the super gas miser and luxury car. I just came off a 3000 mile plus trip driving straight through 25 hours each way and the comfort, drive-ability and economy spoke for itself. My passenger also agreed, 25 hours sitting in a car is not easy but certainly attainable in the Sonata and my body is 73 years of age. I averaged 39 to 42 miles per gallon driving 70 MPH with the A/C on. We drove in extremely heavy interstate traffic and the car performed wonderfully. The steering is quicker and tighter than I like it but not a problem. City driving fuel mileage leaves some to be desired, I really do not find it much better than the regular Sonata, about 25 MPG.

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  Car1 - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Dsadler - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Bought vehicle because of style, price, warranty, and the standard features which were optional on competitors models

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  2000 Hyundai Elantra VE - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Chris Richardson - July 5 - 10:00 am

  This stylish car has been through 2 Canadian winters, with not a thing gone wrong with it. I wouldve awarded it first for the Edmunds 2000 Economy Car Comparison, because Ive test driven the other 2 that were ahead of it, and they just dont compare. Of course, the price is a pure bargain for what you get: class leading horsepower, a killer CD sound system, power everything, comfort, style, and an engine that can really move! This is, by far, the best 2000 economy car around, and the redesigned 2001 Elantra proves to be even better, way to go Hyundai!

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  Proud Owner in Minnesota - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By nancye40 - July 5 - 10:00 am

  I literally was on my way to the Mitsubishi Dealership, when I was sidetracked by the Hyundai Dealership. I had never heard of the Tiburon, but was attracted to it the moment I saw it. Three hours later, I owned one of these beauties! I love the looks, no one in my suburb of the Twin Cities has one yet. (I like being unique and not copying everyone else) It handles wonderful with the tight steering and road hugging design. The initial take off is normal, and then the engine will all of a sudden kick in and then no one can keep up with me...I Love it!

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  Looks great - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Derek_23 - July 5 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a new accent and it is a great car to drive and looks great to. I got a silver one with tinted windows and a rear spoiler. It looks like a sports car, but is great on gas and is a lot cheaper

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  Well done, Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By j. l. robinson - July 4 - 3:40 pm

  Weve only had our Sonata (with automatic) about one month, but we are impressed. We took it on the road for over 1,300 miles and averaged from 38-42 mpg. It rides quietly and comfortably with excellent handling in both dry and very wet weather----no brake problems. The engine seems fully competent and responds well. All systems perform as advertised. Trunk space is wonderful and the fold-down rear seat backs provide a most spacious cargo area----big enough for us to carry an antique rocker----without sacrificing cabin quietness. Of course, we had limited time with the Sonata, but so far so very good!

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  Love my Crystal Blue Santa Fe LX AWD... - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Matt-Guy - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Great car for the money, I looked at everything, CRV, Vibe, Matrix, Rav4, Escape, Sportage, XL7, ect... And none of them came as nicely packaged as the santa fe. With such features as Heated leather seats, Automatic climate control with outside tempeture gauge, AWD and V6, coupled to a sportronic shifting automatic transmission, and not to mention the Tape+CD player who could refuse for under 23k. Heck they even threw in the plastic mud guard for the cargo area, roof crossrails, Trailer hitch, and mudguards all out the door (Taxes, tags ect...) for 23700. Cannot be beat by the competitors. Best Bang for buck in the SUV arena.

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  sonata gls - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By mpw68 - July 3 - 2:00 am

  it is a good car alland all, very solid feeling, cruises at 85 with no problems very smooth and quite

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  3rd Update - Still Outstanding - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By John of Columbus NC - July 3 - 2:00 am

  After 10 months of ownership, I like this car more and more each month. Just returned from a trip from Columbus, NC to Leesburg, VA. 488 miles each way. Using mainly Interstate 81 I was able to drive at the 70 miles per hour speed limit. Computed my mpg using my hand calculator. I averaged 36.5 mpg on the trip there and 35.7 on the return trip. This is an outstanding car and no one should have any fear of purchasing one. My dealer is Dave Edwards Hyundai of Spartanburg, SC. Fair, honest and great service best describes my dealer.