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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  Good for the price - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By barry j - September 28 - 2:00 am

  For the price paid, this is a very good small car. Happy with all except gas mileage is not as good as claimed. Cant compare to my Lexus but as I said its very good for the price as a runaround vehicle. I do recommend it highly. thank you, bj

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  Good, but not Excellent - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Jeff - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Genesis, in part, based on my experience with the Sonata. Unfortunately, the quality did not repeat itself. In the first year, the drivers seat mechanism, collision detection sensors and steering wheel adjustment motor failed. The dealership did a great job of making it right, but the Hyundai Motor America customer service response was lacking. However, for the price, the car is loaded with features, drivers great, is quiet and good looking. The A/C programming algorithms could use some work. I got the smaller engine and still have problems keeping it under 80 mph. My only disappointment is that the quality of this car doesnt match my previous Hyundai experience.

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  Azera junk! - 2010 Hyundai Azera
  By jimt1939 - September 25 - 2:00 am

  I sent a review the other day and I have since heard from Hyundai customer service. Nothing has changed. They still sell junk and call it quality. The selling dealer is no better. I will not buy another or even keep this one. Bad tires ( Michelin ) terrible ride. Road noise is terrible. Don`t forget you do not need Miller Hyundai in vestal New York. And you do not need a Hyundai from anywhere.

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  Best Buy out There - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By Genesis Supporter - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Drove 2000 miles immediately upon picking the car up at the dealer. Most of the miles were on interstate highways. On the last leg of our trip in 8 hours and a few minutes we averaged 66 mph and 28.5 mpg covering 530 miles! Different pavement surfaces did make different noises but nothing disturbing. We are enjoying the whole experience and were not surprised at all upon returning to find the October issue of Consumer Reports rates the car we bought as the Best of the Big Sedans. Buy one and youll be glad you did. We certainly are!!

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  Some problems- still love it! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By samsonata07 - September 24 - 2:00 am

  When i bought my car in February, the drivers visor was broken. the dealership fixed it. when i went to drive it off the lot, the wipers wouldnt turn off. the switch went. the dealership said they would fix it but they never got back to me about the part, so for now i just take the fuse out and put it in when i need it. i will get it fixed eventually. about a month after i had my car the passenger visor broke! its still broke because my dealership wont get back to me! i have a warranty but i dont know how to get hold of anyone. my brakes squeak a lot. i need new brakes and new tires. i love the room in this car and the power. i just dont like everything falling apart. i get about 21 mpg.

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  Best for the Money - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By JimGoose - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought 2010 Elantra GLS. Sticker $17,710, transaction price $15,500 with another $2,500 in rebates. Walked out the door after taxes and fees owing $14,700, 0 down. Nice car, solid build and QUIET, more so than cars costing much more. Yes, there are hard plastics, but gaps are tight, no squeaking or noises. XM satellite a disappointment, as it cuts out constantly. Only other complaint is that cold idle speed really high, 1500 rpm and doesnt drop by much after a minute or two of idling. Id rather see 700 rpm. 34 mpg in combined driving. Definitely recommend as best car value for the money.

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  Great Car, Great Price! - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mandi - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Lets be honest, if youre looking at this car, then you probably cant afford a lexus, mercedes, or bmw, all with nicer features. So when you look at this car for what its worth (and not compare it to cars out of its range), its an all around great car! It drives great, gets decent gas mileage, and its a very safe car! I was able to get the GLS sedan loaded with all power, cruise control, xm radio, auto transmission, and other features for just over $15,000 (after $2,500 cash back). :)

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  Still the best value in the land - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By Ed - September 21 - 2:00 am

  Still the best value. Bought my Azera only six months ago and already put 12,000 miles on it. Its a dream. What a value for the bucks (less than $20K). And I always get looks and comments. Minor annoyances: drivers seat doesnt go back far enough bumps are over exaggerated. But all in all its more than likely the best car Ive ever owned (and Ive owned about 15). Nothing to think about. If youre looking for a great car at a great price - Azeras your only real choice. Im even thinking about getting another one.

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  Over 10 years of reliability so far - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By corky - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Even though I have put very little mileage on this car (26,000 in the past over 10 yrs.) it has been very reliable for my needs. The only repairs Ive had to deal with other than field mice chewing wiring, was some sort of valve failure in the emissions system when the car reached the age of 10 years..(a $240 job). Oh, and the cover came off the catalytic converter awhile back, but both the dealer and my local mechanic assure me its okay as long as dont park on long grass which I wouldnt do anyway even with the cover on. I seem to get way better mileage claims and I only use it for around town errands (obviously by the low mileage). I hate to give it up.

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  Great car - 2011 Hyundai Azera
  By arthur - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Had a 2006 new azera and loved it. traded it in at 40,000 miles for the 2011. and i love the 2011 even better. took a 160 mile trip and averaged 30.2 miles per gallon. i have the nav. package and xm Sirius radio. everything is working beautiful. Im just surprised there arent more being sold. i must admit i came close to buying the 2011 sonata but went back to the azera and am not sorry although the sonata was just as beautiful.