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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  A great Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Steve - May 30 - 9:20 pm

  After driving this automobile over 6000 miles I still havent found any serious problems to complain about. The rear suspension could use some tweaking as the car doesnt handle wash board roads or pot holes well. I drove the car on a 2700 mile trip on interstates, US highways and in city driving. My overall mileage was 31.7 mpg. I have driven the car at over 100 mph and found it very stable. I find the seating comfortable for long trips. I find the acceleration excellent, when needed. I generally drive very conservative, from a stop light I keep the tach below 2500 at each shift and on the road run on cruise control at the speed limit and let the world roll by.

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  Good to have wagon back in Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By J - May 30 - 11:16 am

  I retired a 99 Elantra wagon with over 200 K miles having almost no mechanical problems, but like a lot of cars in the northeast, lots of rust. I was looking for another wagon and was really happy when Hyundai returned to the wagon market with the touring. Ive had the car for a little over 2 months and 4000 miles and am very happy with it. I live in a mountainous area and average 37-38 MPG in mixed speed driving, all 65 mph or under. There is almost as much interior room as the 99 wagon. The seats are comfortable for driving long distances. The Edmunds site was very helpful in purchasing and knowing what price to expect.

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  Great purchase if you take care of it. - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By JT2109 - May 29 - 10:00 am

  This was a great vehicle. But you NEED to make sure you keep it up to date with oil changes and such. The oil pan broke under the vehicle and drained all the oil out, hit 90 on the highway the next day and goodbye motor. It was a great car to own, never failed me until that day. I would recommend this vehicle. Tranny fluid and motor fluid need to be checked frequently!

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  Love my stick shift Tucson! - 2009 Hyundai TUCSON
  By former Saturn owner - May 29 - 10:00 am

  Wasnt planning to purchase this but the stick shift sold us. I love the driving experience and Hyundais attention to detail. Warranty a big plus. Ive never driven an SUV so its been a learning experience, but I love this car. Its pretty quiet and handles very well.

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  Beautiful Sonata - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By joyrood - May 29 - 10:00 am

  My husband tried to talk me into another brand car but I just loved the looks of the 2011 Sonata. It rides and drives so nice that you forget you are in a small car as we have always owned SUV. We are so happy with our beautiful Sonata.

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  my new hyundai - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By ed taylor - May 28 - 11:36 pm

  So far so good. Only problem is windshield wipers. Otherwise it seem to run pretty good.

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  Best car owned to date - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By Redstone - May 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned the car for two weeks. So far I cant find anything wrong with it. If I ever do my 100,000 mile warrenty should cover it.

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  My Sonata Sienna - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tina Sarotte - May 27 - 2:20 am

  I call it my sonata sienna because I really loved the looks of that van but when I discovered the sonata I was really impressed! I forgot about my sienna and went straight for the sonata. I purchased that for a steal deal I bought it for $24,112. And the sticker was $27,445. My payment is $347 a month for almost a limited. Not bad. Ive had no problems with it at all and Ive already had for two months. Its roomy, stylish, reliable everything a mother wants in a vehicle. I was a van mom but forget Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Dodge, Kia all of them I love my sonata and I recommend it to anyone. Trust me:)

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  I Love my new SE - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By HeavyRightFoot - May 26 - 5:56 pm

  I loved driving this from the moment I pulled it out of the dealership! This V6 is extremely responsive, the shifter is nice and tight, and Im as comfortable and secure in my seat in tight curves at high speeds as I am on the straightaway. The new colors from 07 are awesome, and Ive gotten a lot of complements at my infrequent fuel stops.

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  Excellent car for the Money!! - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Susan - May 26 - 3:26 am

  I had owned a Hyundai Sonata 2007 but unfortunately totaled my car in an accident in December. I just loved that car and my heart broke! I didnt have to think twice about what car I would get. I went straight to Atlantic Hyundai and purchased another Sonata 2010. I got a terrific price, $2500 off. The interior of the car has improved and the sound system is great. It feels solid when you drive it and gives a smooth ride. The features on the steering wheel are great too and have improved from the 2007 models. It feels like a sturdier car. I LOVE IT!!!