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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  be cautious of fuel mileage claims - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By randyinsc - February 14 - 11:10 pm

  I have 1000 miles on my new sonata hybrid premium and after three calucated mileage fill ups and driving like GRANDMOTHER and 75 percent of the driving on highway, the best mileage I can obtain is 32.2 mpg. I have called Hyundai and they read a speech about driving easy. The dealers service manager said, the car is so new, were not sure of everything yet- drive it till the first oil change and well take a look at it. I am being told by other sonata owners, theyre getting 35 to 40 mpg, both regular sonatas and hybrids- I feel like I have a lemon and no one is listening!!!! My family doesnt want to ride with me as I am driving so conservatively to try and obtain better mileage!

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  Totally Happy - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Wings - February 14 - 7:40 am

  I bought the Santa Fe Limited with navigation after a lot of research and test drives of other vehicles. I have to say it has lived up to every situation that i can throw at it. I have read that some users have had issues but I can not say that I have had any of those problems. The only exception is that I am getting a little better gas mileage now than on the spec sheet.

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  Hyundai Sonata got it! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By sgruberk - February 13 - 9:53 pm

  I traded my Mercedes E class for this car. I have had 2 Mercedes, 2 Lexus and 1 Toyota and our current 2nd car is a Toyota Highlander. Other luxury cars are better but not worth the money. Toyota, well, I did notice lack of quality in recent models and I did not even consider due to recent recall fiasco. I researched and test drove Honda, Mazda and Subaru. Two things made me hesitant with Hyundai: Design and Resale value. Resale value of Sonata now on par with Honda. Design: it turns peoples head and give thumbs up. I never had that with Lexus and Mercedes. Sonata is loaded with features. Little features like LED ambient lighting that I had with Lexus GS. 2011 Sonata GOT IT!

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  Great hybrid car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By vabeachdriver - February 13 - 11:53 am

  I have had my sonata since July 2011. It has been great to me. I do a lot of business travel and I am averaging no less than 38MPG on almost all my full tanks of gas 530-575 Miles between fill ups. It has a very smooth ride and I have had no operation or performance issues.

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  Real Deal - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By rick - February 12 - 9:06 am

  Traded in my 02 gls - accel, handling MUCH improved, although the overall ride may be marginally compromised re: smoothness. But, safety features + solid fit & finish w/ all the modern amenities make this a no brainer in this class. Style has grown on me - wife commented it was a "snazzy" car. For the $$ you cant beat it.

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  Only a few improvements needed. - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By doggonned - February 11 - 10:00 am

  After owning this car for only two weeks, Im very impressed over all. The styling is fantastic, Ive had numerous people come up and tell me it looks like a Lincoln from the front and a Jag from the back. Interior styling is top notch as well. Handles great and is very responsive although very touchy throttle response. Minor quirks would be that the automatic headlights come on way to quickly when going under an overpass, tree etc. Front seats, although moderately comfortable, need more padding.

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  Good car for your money - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Joe_man - February 11 - 10:00 am

  Besides it is more powerful than Corolla, Civic, it is also fully loaded. Fun to drive and excellent built quality. I would not be surprised if it was priced $5000 more.

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  2004 Hyundai Sonata LX - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Baldy - February 11 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Sonata for 1 month now and I am very impressed it. It is the most smooth riding and quite car I have ever been in. I am getting 30 miles per gallon. There is enough power for me. I read people thought this car needed more power but so far I dont think so. The interior is very nice and well appointed. I love the sunroof. The fit and finish of the leather interior is gorgeous. I would recomend this car to anyone. People thought i bought a Jag.

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  first hyundai - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By jacquecarol - February 11 - 10:00 am

  since I do alot of highway driving, and across country, I needed a car with great gas mileage, fun to drive, comfortable and at a reasonable price. I priced out Toyota & Honda. Wont buy a Chevy or Ford. The Elantra was about 5-7K less than the Neon, and with better gas mileage. Since I am short, and my husband tall, I needed a car that would fit both of us. The CD player really jams.

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  Amazing car for the price! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Amanda - February 10 - 9:03 pm

  I just love my new Sonata. I went from a Jeep to this and I thought it was going to be hard, but the Sonota is so amazing! Great comfort in the ride, stylish design, and great gas mileage. I have only had it a week but I know that I am going to be pleased with it for a long time! We were debating between the GLS and the Limited. I recommend getting the Limited because of the extra features.