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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  Hyundai--You Hit a Grand Slam - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Barnett917 - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Originally looking for a SUV---but when I saw the Sonata 2011 fell in love with the great looks. Picked up car on Aug.16 and so far it has been great. A fun car to drive and a very peppy four cylinder will amaze you----it has great pickup. Handling seems great so far and the regular sound system that comes with xm radio is great. Bluetooth syncs easily with my Hero 200 Android phone and is a great feature with controls on steering wheel. Would recommend to all. The harbor gray color is fantastic.

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  Huge dissapointment! - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By awasllace - April 23 - 7:29 am

  There are much more negative than postitive in my 1.5 years of Sonata ownership. First is the fuel economy, nowhere even close to Hyundais estimates. Now after getting over that the problems began. It had a poor running and stalling out problem several times the dealer cant duplicate, the front headlights have collected condensation and Im on my second set. The leather quality is horrible, stiching on the bolsters is coming apart already (hyundai calls it normal wear) It wanders on the highway. Ive had the struts, tires, wheel bearings, and control arm bushings replaced...still wanders! The car has just been such a huge dissapointment, it feels like a 5 yr old car already.

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  awesome - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By junkyard1queen - April 23 - 5:53 am

  this car is the best vehicle I could have ever picked, it has the feel of a luxury car without the luxury car price tag. My family has complimented me on my choice of car (even though they have all owned only american cars) I would be willing to bet one of them might end up in one also. The sleek lines get head turns everywhere I go.

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  Great Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Vic - April 23 - 4:06 am

  This car has been great! We have had no major problems, and has been the first car that I didnt need to bring back to the dealer for "little warranty items" when we first got it. there was a problem with the car not starting after we parked it, but Hyundai roadside assistance came to the rescue and towed us to a dealer. The fuel pump went bad and was replaced under warranty (no out of pocket cost) and we havent had a problem since. The room in the cabin is terrific, especially in the back seat. The trunk is open and can fit more than I ever imagined. I would recomend this car to anyone.

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  So much car, so little money! - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By renosnave - April 23 - 2:00 am

  The Hyundai warranty was what drew me to this vehicle. I wanted to have a car that started every time I put the key in. That I have a moonroof and a cd player and power everything is also great. While other people have $300- $400 car payments mine was just $167 a month! Did have a stereo problem, but they just took out the old one and put in a new one (covered by warranty!)

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  Sonata Limited 2007 - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By RLG51 - April 22 - 11:53 pm

  The Sonata Limited is truly an excellent value for the money. In the 2.5 months Ive owned the car, absolutely nothing has gone wrong. It is a true pleasure to drive. Excellent traction in wet weather, very good cornering, very, very quiet. The engine is smooth as silk. The sound system is excellent. All controls are within easy reach of the driver. The quality of construction is evident in every detail from pain to under-the-hood to interior. Previously, I had a Honda Accord V6; however the Sonata is superior in all ways and for several thousand dollars less.

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  Proud to Own - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By MoJo - April 22 - 10:26 pm

  This car meets all of our requirements. Thats why we bought it. Were a younger couple with a baby on the way and a big dog that goes on all of our road trips with us. Its comfy, attractive, and great for every day adventures. Its easy to operate and I absolutely love it!!!

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  AVOID - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By sebski - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I have had GLS V6 for almost two years now. It had 60K, now 80K. I got screwed because dealer does not honor warranty for second onwer. I replaced: timing belt, all brakes including rotors, battery, tires (which all were a part of a normal maintenance) but spark plugs, wires, sensors, more spark plugs and more wires and all this crap brings only one conclusion: Hyundai is still a terrible quality. I will never buy one anymore. Ill stick with Japanese. Take my advise: dont buy Hyundai. The dealer is very nice, especially when it comes to paying. And they are money suckers!

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  Great car - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By JohnOtis - April 21 - 2:00 am

  We had a 1 year old Elantra of the previous style and liked the redesign so much we traded. Extra safety was appealing. The air works much better than the older Elantra and power is better. Only minor problems so far: Dealer has replaced 2 passenger side headlights at no charge. Battery croaked and they put in a new one, again NC. Great car for the money. We are looking at a Scion XB now though.

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  I couldnt ask for more! - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By PRD - April 21 - 2:00 am

  We love our Sonata. Weve owned it now for about a year and a half and have had no real problems with it. Its more comfortable on long trips than any of the cars weve rented in the past(Pontiac, Toyota, Oldsmobile...) Great looking exterior, excellent warranty, very affordable when compared to other similar models of other makes.