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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  I made the switch... - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By John Jones - September 21 - 7:06 pm

  I have only driven Honda Accords for the past 20 years, but this new Sonata really surprised me! The SE trim level has the appearance of a much more expensive car, and the hybrid seats are a great choice in our hot Florida climate. Ive had the car almost a week now, and Im thrilled with it - the Bluetooth has been seamless, the push button start has been kind of fun, and it just "feels" really nice. This is an incredible value at just over $20K - no need to pay $30K or more, and the warranty cant be beaten.

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  So far VERY GOOD! - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By fishinjeff - September 21 - 11:42 am

  I have about 4000 miles so far and over 3 months of use. So far I love this car! I have the 2.4 Limited FULLY loaded and it is sweet! I have seen as much as 42 MPG, but average using ECO mode is about 25. This car is the smoothest, least expensive car I have driven. I have nothing bad to say about it and I typically am very picky about my autos being a former auto tech.

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  VERACRUZ IN SW TEXAS - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By nrzjago - September 19 - 7:43 am

  So far (only 1000 miles on my VC) and Im extremely pleased. The ride is great. The a/c cools quickly. The sound system is great. The seats are very comfortble. We purchased a limited w/ ultimate package and one of my favorite features is the adjustable pedals/steering column. Seating for 7 is comfortable no matter which seat you are in. Exterior is very nice. Definitely a classy looking vehicle. So far mpg has averaged 19.9, I hope this will improve a little after the break in time.

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  What a buy - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By David Baker - September 19 - 5:03 am

  I could not believe how well the Sonata drive, rides , and feel. I would not even look at a hyundai 10 years ago maybe not even 5 years for that maater. But with Camry and the Accord being out my price range, I test drove sonata and was shocking surpise it had as much horsepower and more safely features and a much much better warranty.I was able to get the sonata limited for less than I was going to pay for the base camry with icthing cloth seat.its a really great car to drive thanks Hoover Hyundai, ill see you in 3 years when i get my Azera

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  Azera Review - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By sprtsmike - September 18 - 10:43 am

  excellent,fun,attractive car. excellent bulid quality from top to bottom and the interior is superb

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  FANTASTIC CAR AT A GREAT PRICE! - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By Wayne Gordon - September 17 - 10:00 am

  Buy this model car, you wont be dissapointed! We got all the features of more expensive cars for about half the price. We bought it for comfort, but found everything else to our liking. Its the best car weve ever owned. Well buy a Hyundai again for sure.

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Laura Butler - September 17 - 3:40 am

  It is so much fun and roomy. Everyone that rides with me or drives my Sante Fe loves it. I am very happy with it and I dont want anything else. Thank you.

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  You got to own one - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Shaun - September 14 - 10:16 pm

  This car is a very dependable It rides like a mercedes or and very fast -n- swift on turns and stability.I have drivin alot of diffrent brands of cars (Driving new and used cars to auctions around USA)and for this Gls 2006 V6 4 door model it tops the other brands you should go out today and test drive one alone and not with a (dealer) breathing down your neck trying to influence you.Also I realy didnt have this one in common at the time I looked at it but once I test drove it and was amazed the way it handled. Ive owned it for 3 weeks now and not one problem with it .I do like to pick up speed when I take off ,it does very well!

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  Surprised by Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By ITSbigeyes - September 14 - 2:53 pm

  The Hyundai Sonata really surprised me; the ride is fun. I have a 2009 sedan 4 cyl. It is a beautiful green color. I previously owned a 2005 Honda Accord 6 cyl. auto. which was loaded. Unlike the Honda, I do not see one at every light. The feel and drive of the car is excellent. I cannot tell the difference in the drive of the Hyundai and the Honda Accord. I am averaging close to 30 miles on open highway. it take curves the same as a Honda, which is great. It drives drives great. I am looking forward to taking it to South Carolina.

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  Helluva Upgrade from My Old Mans Standby - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By GSuzu - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I kept my Toyota Corolla S for 11-years and it served me with dependability but not a lot of pizazz. When I decided on the Hyundai Elantra, what struck me right off the bat were the headlamps...actually the entire front of the vehicle. It looked almost evil, and that made me feel like a kid again! The head-on view of the car is impressive! The headlamp "guns" definitely illuminates the roadway at night with more than enough brightness. The cavernous trunk has room for my golf clubs AND my fishing equipment, AND my storage bin for cleaning supplies! Getting used to not having to use a key took a while, but the convenience cant be taken for granted. Being in Hawaii, I didnt need the heated leather seats but I may use it when water freezes in our state at 69-degrees! The power seat with lumbar support is a dream. The controls are easy to use and I have nothing but praise for the entire dash. And while I may have lost a bit of MPG, this car MOVES with the 2.0 engine! That more than makes up for the 3-4 MPG I lost. When I step on the accelerator, I am pushed back in my seat as the car lives up to the SPORT in the name. I used to have a Corolla-S that got laughed at when I lost a drag race with a lawnmower. Truth be told, this old man doesnt need all that power I have at my disposal, but it sure is nice to have. My dealer (Tony Hyundai in Honolulu) has gone out of their way to make this ownership feel like I purchased a luxury car! Getting a $1000 rebate because I purchased the car during a promotion made this even sweeter!