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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  Great Van for the price! - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Lentz Upshaw - August 1 - 6:37 pm

  The reviews for this van really helped me out, so I wanted to return the favor. I purchased a 2007 Entourage about a month and half ago. It has just over 100,000 miles on it, and for the mileage it was a lot cheaper than other vans I looked at. It drives and rides very smooth, and has plenty of power! I just returned from a trip of over 2,500 miles with 6 people, mostly adults, and a luggage carrier attached to the top, through mountains and averaged about 20 mpg. I haven't had it for a long time, but my mechanic checked it out and said it was in good shape.

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  Ultimate - 2016 Hyundai Equus
  By P Hanly - February 23 - 7:53 am

  Drove the car through the Rockies in January. Very impressed with the snow mode as I only had all seasons on it. Dollar for Dollar in a late model used Full size luxury car, and there is nothing to even compare this vehicle to.After a long time following this vehicle before finally found the right deal under $40. Couldnt be happier with the vehicle. The car is nothing short of outstanding. The Rolls Royce Phantom also selecting the discrete sound Lexicon system is totally understandable. It does not handle like a sports car, but if your looking for an ultra quiet and ultra comfortable cruiser this car has very few competitors if any, and at 430 hp it is not sluggish by any measure.

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  Loved this baby - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By 4RunnerModder - May 16 - 11:35 pm

  Got a used 04 xg350l in 2008 at 116k miles, in 2017 it finally died at 301k miles. Fast, fun, and easy to maintain, changing the timing belt through the tire well was easy. Regular maintenance wasnt too cost, except the rear spark plugs. Never changed gaskets, only had to fix small oil leak around 250m miles. Stylish, luxurious, I didnt know Hyundai was a beast rig. Glad to experience it, reliability or a Toyota.

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  My 2004 sonataa - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Leanna norris - December 24 - 4:26 pm

  I bought my 2004 sonata used for only 4500! It now has 212,000 miles on it and runs awesome and has never left me stranded. The only thing ive had to do to it is a tune up, oil changes, changing of head lights and tail lights. I had to buy new tires after 2 years and a starter for it but thats it. It may sound like a lot but it was just regular maintenance that it needed. Never had any other problem with it. It just started making a creaking noise and i think its my cv axles that need replaced but i wouldnt trade this car for a new one because the space in the car is amazing i think and the new cars have to much technology in them and are compact cars that look big and bulky. Ill keep my 2004 hyundai sonata till it wont drive anymore! Hope this helps.

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  Great car overall, but associated costs can be... - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Michael L. - December 22 - 5:10 pm

  The Hyundai Genesis Sedan 3.8L 2010 has been a good car overall, after 105000 miles. What you should be aware of is repair or replacement costs on some of this car. The headlights (which are very good? require full replacement, not just a $40 bulb. One headlight will run you $320 installed. Similar story for the required snow tires. This rear wheel drive car is not usable in any snow conditions unless one installs snow tires. With snows on it handles exceptionally well. Snow tires for this car cost $250 each. Such costs are similar to costs of a BMW or a Mercedes, as quality is matched but so are maintenance costs. I hesitate to consider a new replacement Genesis for my new car, despite loving my current one.

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  I didnt want this car. But Im glad I have it. - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By James - December 22 - 1:00 pm

  I bought an Audi S4 from a Hyundai dealership and literally 5 days later it blew up. Long story short, I bought where is as is (car had 100K on it, and a new motor - so I didnt really care and I was willing to take my chances) After a bit of a fight, the dealership - they said "hey, if you buy this, well take the paperweight S4 in as a trade. I obliged. Im a brand snob, Ill say it - BMW and VW/Audi have been my jam since I was in my early 20s. (TT, Jetta, 318i, M3 sedan, S4....) Well, I bit the bullet and swallowed my pride and took on this "cheap" korean wannabe luxobarge. My complaint: The car isnt ugly, it just doesnt have an identity - its not unique or special in any way - until you drive it. The car is fantastic. 27 MPG on the interstate a low of 17 when driving around crowded Kansas City streets.... but who cares, the car has the most FANTASTIC stereo Ive ever heard ANYWHERE. Car, house, boat... anywhere. There isnt much else to say - dont let your brand loyalty sway you from this car. It rules.

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  2011 Hyundai Accent at 90k miles, happy so far! - 2011 Hyundai Accent
  By Matthew Gamboa - December 17 - 2:30 pm

  I was sad to read the latest review just prior to mine, in which the owner had several problems early on that sounds like a rare lemon for this brand. I bought my Accent in 2012 from a dealer at that time it had 35k miles on it. The fuel efficiency has been great! It feels rather roomy for having such a small footprint, which I have been thankful for as I live in the SF bay area and parking spots are quite small. Im 62" and have had at least on one occasion traveled with three other people in the car who are roughly my same size they all said that they were comfortable. The only maintenance issue Ive had were the power coils going out. The first coils that went out were covered under the 60k warranty. The remaining coils went out around 8k later, otherwise it has been a trooper. The downsides have been mentioned before. Acceleration is not the best, particularly with highway merges. Also the interior feels a bit cheap and gets dirty fairly easily, but then again this is a cheap car. It is a bit noisy driving on the highway, but that might also be a common issue with subcompacts. If youre on a budget and want a car that is a dream to park in cities, then this is the car to get!

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  what a bargain! - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By mik mastrian - November 28 - 11:47 pm

  great buy for 14000

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  Smooth - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By Brian Behler - November 19 - 4:38 pm

  Also have a 300 BMW and a C class Mercedes. Handling is more toward the BMW and the ride more toward the MB. Surprisingly good mileage in town. It is a very comfortable car for extended road trips. Easy installation of child seats (anchored hooks) when the grandkids are in town.

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  Pass It on - 2013 Hyundai Genesis
  By Robman4ud - October 21 - 8:25 pm

  I purchased this car after looking at BMW, Benz, Audi, and GM. I found this to be the best value. I have had a couple of problems that were taken care. The front and rear bumper had what was described to me by auto body repair technicians was bleed through. A product used to keep the bumper from cracking was turning my white pearl bumper into orange spotted eye sore. They told me that it was fallout and I said "hell no" and they repainted the front and bumper. The arm rest is cracking and I have an appointment on Monday. The rear camera goes blue screen on at least 12 times and they tell me that I have to recreate the problem for their techs (Good luck) in the shop. well, other than those things, I have received many compliments on my Genesis.