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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  The sonata for 2011 - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By bluep - July 3 - 2:00 am

  There is only one word great. After having 6 mustangs all high performance this car is one of the best I have had yet. It has all the power and all the quality I want. And getting 28 to 30 miles per gallon. Go go go go go Hyundai.

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  2011 Sonata 2.0 T Limited - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Patrick - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Definitely worth the wait for the 2.0T. The 2.4 is probably adequate for most, but the turbo is worth extra cost for those wanting more. Limited package is great value.

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  Great deal, great drive . - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By ROMY - July 2 - 7:13 pm

  Great HP pick up tight handling ,great gas mileage for a v6 .

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  Ive found a diamond! - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By topboricua - July 2 - 2:00 am

  After considering the Rav4 and the Santa Fe, and neither fitting within my budget ($23k out the door). I looked into used Highlanders and the Veracruzes. Found some 2007s with all the perks (premium packages - leather, etc.), everything but the DVD player or navigation systems. This Veracruz is the most comfortable car ever! Soft on the road, and powerful when needed. Gas mileage is not the best (15city/22highway), but acceptable. The seats are super comfortable, the interior space is great! Even the 3rd row is not bad and Ive sat back there (Im 60). Everyone whos ridden in it loves it, and I think Im a future Hyundai owner for life! Price was sweet at $22,300 (walkout) w/29k miles.

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  Wont be my last Hyundai!! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By algaeb - July 1 - 3:16 pm

  Have driven Saturns exclusively since 1992, Have had my Tucson for 3 months. My wife drives a 2003 Vue. She has bad knees and I needed to replace my Saturn SL2 for somthing that she could easily get in and out of. This is a very comfortable ride for her. Tucson has it all over the Vue...including price. Cant make a true price comparison because the Vue doesnt even have some of the features available on the Tucson (ie.; 6 air bags, lengthy warranty, stability control).

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  Love this car, but... - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By cafiestase - July 1 - 6:21 am

  This is my second Elantra...wow, what a difference. The other was a 2008 SE. This has more power, ride is much better. My one is a big difference for the and the wife and I fell in love with lines and the "Red", I mean "Red". I am looking for better mileage, but I only have 1,800 miles on the clock. My last car was a 2011 Ford Fiesta W/6-speed trans that need work at 30K, so we traded it for the Elantra GT, even so, when ever I traveled for over 100 miles, I got a min. of 40mpg so where is the 37mpg Hyundai???

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  Very Satisfied! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mr. Bigglesworth - July 1 - 5:30 am

  I bought this car to save money on gas and expenses and so far, Im very impressed. Our family has owned several Hyundais in the past- in fact, I just traded my 2006 Sonata LX for this Elantra SE. I thought there would be a noticeable decline in comfort due to switching from a loaded big sedan to a smaller car, but not in this case. My wife and I both enjoy driving this car and are very pleased with the purchase. I highly recommend putting Hyundai (and the Elantra) on your list!

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  Love it - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By TL - June 30 - 2:53 pm

  Ive had my car since September last year, and Ive put a little over 8000 miles on it since. Though its over 6 months old, it still brings a smile to my face when I walk out to it. What it boils down to, is that you cant get a better car for the price. The standard features beat the competitors in its class hands down, even at a lesser cost. Comfort, size, safety... all excellent. Not quite as "sporty" as the Accord, but more luxurious... so its a price I gladly pay. I tend to have a lead foot, as the saying goes, so my fuel economy suffers... but that aside, I dont feel I get decent MPG. Ive gotten compliments from, literally, everyone whos been in my car.

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  Excellent Value for the Price - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By deis - June 30 - 2:47 am

  We had a 2004 Sonata and the only problem I had with it was a battery during the 7 years that we owned it. Naturally when the 2011 was introduced we went to check it out and were impressed. I took my wifes advice and purchased all of the options which included the navigation package. The 4-cylinder engine on this car accelerates much better than the 6-cylinder Sonata we had before. The keyless ignition is great. The ability to open the doors without a key is very convenient so that you dont have to go searching for keys in your pockets or purse. I have read a very few negative customer reviews on the Sonata but overall most people are pleased with this car. It performs well overall.

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  I love this car - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Imissmycar - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Im in the military and I am currently overseas right now and I miss my car very much. I got it about 5 mounths ago and I have been nothing but pleased.