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 plesent surprise - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Fred - December 21 - 3:56 am

  This has proved to be an excellent car, excellent build quality, tight and quiet, with plenty of power and good fuel economy (24 mpg). The only negative comment I have relates to the radio controls on the steering wheel. There is a control called mode which changes the radio from AM to FM to CD, but ther is no control to move between stations. A small thing but annoying.

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  value for money - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By bryan - December 20 - 2:00 pm

  I own 2006 Tucson diesel automatic UK spec bought new, I have had no problems with it whatsoever the acceleration is outstanding. Around town the mpg is 28, on a run I have achieved 54 mpg. The mpg figures obtained in the usa models are to say the least dire. Get a diesel much better

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  Great cruising car! - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Raamos - December 20 - 12:01 pm

  Excellent car, I did my regular maintenance no major issues. to this day 15 years later runs great with 195,000 miles on it. Best car thus far in my lifetime. ... I am selling it now, because I no longer need a car since I now have my sons car. I really enjoyed driving the Santa Fe so far!

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  25,000 miles / one winter under the belt - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Chasefranklin7 - December 20 - 5:26 am

  This winter in the Chicago area gave us our fair share of snow, and when I bought this vehicle I would never have thought this - but there were times when the snow was heavy that I took the VC instead of my Suburban! The topper is - the VC is only front wheel drive va. the four wheel on the Sub. When I bought this car I was worried about how my clients would view it when we went to golf or dinner. Most thought it was a Lexus and everyone not only loves it, but thinks I made the smarter choice when comparing the two. One client with the Acura CUV decided on the VC as his next car and another with a Lexus - traded his in for the VC as well. Love it! Smart car, great feaures.

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  This is no Lexas!!!!! - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By safetyboy - December 19 - 10:40 am

  We bought a black limited. I have regreted the purchase ever since. It is a big, heavy, underpowered and overpriced vehicle. Cant believe I traded my Toyota Sequia for this. It does not even have enough cup holders.

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  Six Month Report A Winner - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By George Whetzel - December 19 - 7:20 am

  We selected the Limited for the package creature comforts. I made my decision based on comfort for my 64" height. Have found the ride smooth yet agile, and braking response is excellent. Interior has good ergonomic display, the fit and finish is rich rivaling many upscale players in this market. We chose not to have third row seating, rather have the ample storge, including the hidden compartment in back. Selecting platinum sage paint with grey leather allows the vehicle to stay cooler in the heat of summer. Tinted rear glass helps for both security and interior temps. Observing an average 22-24 mpg we are pleased with the fuel economy. At six months one word: Awesome.

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  GREAT CAR - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jim - December 19 - 5:56 am

  i had a 2002 volkswagen passat prior to this sonata, this car seems far better than the passat, for thousands less.i would recommend this car to anyone.

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  Good Bye Toyota Avalon - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By VDHI - December 19 - 1:56 am

  This is the most beautiful Hyundai ever, exspecially for the money and all the options you get for so little, compared to the Avalon XLS. The way this car rides so just so smooth if it where any smoother Id fall a sleep. It is the ultimate ride, the handling is just awsome, when you go around big corner, it holds nice and tight. I just cant believe it, Hyundai has really shown to me how really nice of a car they can offer for such little money. Everyone must drive this car, before making there next buying decision.. once you drive you will want to own the Azera.

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  I absolutely LOVE my Sonata. - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By LaKeisha Square - December 18 - 10:23 am

  I am 7 months into a 36 month lease with my 2015 Hyundai Sonata. For many years I was a Chevrolet fan, however, when the time came for me to acquire a new vehicle, I could not find anything in the current Chevy lineup that excited me quite as much as the Sonata. Id rented it several times for trips from LA to Vegas and was extremely impressed at everything about it. The fuel economy is fantastic. Depending on what type of driving I am doing, city vs the LA to Vegas run, I routinely get 450-480 miles to a tank of gas, 500 if i am being very conscious (and trying...its a game to me!) It is very roomy. When I have my nieces and nephew with me, the second row accommodates 3 booster seats easily without feeling cramped. When I am traveling with adult passengers, the front and rear passengers are comfortable. The trunk space is fantastic! The car is light, quick and extremely fun to drive, especially in Sport mode. I have had zero issues with it maintenance wise. Pairing it with my devices, both iPhone and Android was very quick and easy to do. Any time anyone asks what I think about my Sonata, I feel confident in telling them that it is absolutely worth checking out.

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  2nd Sonata - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By JAL - December 17 - 10:30 am

  I had an 06 Sonata and loved it. Unfortunately it was totaled in a wreck. I came out of the wreck with only an abrasion on my wrist from the air bag going off. I didnt even test drive another car. Bought a 10 Sonata and love the improvements from the 06. The added subtle chrome on the exterior (limited model) and the redesigned interior is awesome. I owned a Honda before my 06 Sonata, what an over-rated vehicle. The fit, finish and overall quality was poor (it felt & looked cheap). The fit, finish and quality of the Sonata is second to none. Hyundai has come a long since they first came to the US. Remember the first Hondas and Toyotas? I think my Sonata has a lot of class.