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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  Love My Genesis - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Sharon - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It is unmistakably the most beautiful car I have ever owned. It turns heads every day and the color (Cabernet) is gorgeous. Most of the complements I get are on the color. The paint is flawless even after 7 months of 95 degree, blazing sunlight. The performance is impressive and the interior, quiet and comfortable. I love the sound system and the tech package works great. I had to have the console control replaced under warranty and there was a problem with an emission control part that was also covered under the warranty. Other than those minor inconveniences, I really am happy with my car. My only complaint with the car, is the ride. It rattles my teeth.

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  Azera - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By Dave Stoltz - September 19 - 2:00 am

  My wife is the major driver and she loves the car and the features like heated seats etc. After correcting a tire problem the car is once again riding very smooth with good handling capabilities.

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  Outstanding! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Qbjd - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my 2010 Titanium/Black 4.6 Tech for 6 weeks and it no less than impressive in just about every area. Looked at 2011 BMW 535/550, BMW 335, Infiniti G37, 2011 Infiniti M37, 2010 Mercedes E350/550, Genesis V6, Ford Taurus SHO, and others. Kept coming back to the Genesis V8 for the power, execution, features, and overall value. This is an outstanding automobile. Fit and finish is impressive, the drivetrain is awesome, and the Tech pack goodies cannot be beat. In my opinion, the 4.6 was much more car and a better value than the V6 (3.8). Buying experience was totally painless ($38K). I am extremely pleased with my Genesis and would purchase the same vehicle over again.

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  Great Sonata - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sonata Owner - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the car used and have read other reviews about the poor fuel mileage. I dont think so, we have the six cylinder engine, and recently put a 170 mile trip on it up and down hills in Eastern Washington and got 28 miles per gallon. We ran from Ellensburg to Spokane and drove locally for two weeks on the tank that I filled in Ellensburg, on the trip readout it said 26.7 miles per gallon. I can live with this as it replaced a 1993 Ford Taurus that got 13 a round town, but 30 on the highway. I wont trade my Sonata for a Ford again.

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  Reliable car with nick nack problems - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Hoosier Sonata - September 18 - 2:00 am

  We purchased our Sonata on Dec 24,2007 after doing several hrs. of internet reviews on reliability, fuel efficiency and overall results. We now have 31,000 miles on this car. Has been an okay car. No serious problems. Both of our sun visors had to be replaced because they would not stay up. We do not keep anything on them to have caused this. Now our strut for the trunk lid has broken and this will have to go back for repairs. Seats are very uncomfortable on 9+ hrs. road trip. They are too short and we are only 57.

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  Buyer beware - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By No Hyundai - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Had car for under a year, replaced O2 sensor, brakes, battery and tires. Next year battery (only 1 kind available) O2 sensor. Next year, belts, water pump Brakes O2 Sensor. Every year I had to replace at least 1 of the O2 sensors, speed sensor and trans sensor of some sort (since year 3) None was covered as it is normal wear and tear (!@#$). Gas pedal stuck after 5 years and now my trans is failing. Will never buy again, bad warranty, bad price and cheap, cheap car (not in price just in quality)

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  Too much road noise - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By DC - September 15 - 2:00 am

  This car looks good, has very good road performance and is very nice except for the excessive road noise. We thought it was the Dunlop tires, but we put Michelin Pilot tires on and the car and it is so noisy you have to turn up the radio to cover up the sound. Be sure to drive on the interstate and not just the smooth roads the sales person directs you to or you might be unhappy with this car!

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  Outstanding Automobile! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By BJD - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Its been 6 weeks since we bought our 4.6 w/Tech in Titanium/Black and it is still amazing! Drove many cars - 2011 BMW 535/550/335, Merc E350/550, 2011 Infiniti M37 and 2010 G37, 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, Genesis V6, and a few others - but kept coming back to the Genesis V8. Beautifully executed exterior, superior attention to detail everywhere, flawless drive train, and uncompromising power. Like some others, I too have gone over this car and cannot find any flaws in its assembly. It is not perfect but it is a beautifully made automobile and very rewarding to own. An astonishing value for the 38K I paid for it - well worth the money. I would buy it again if I had the choice.

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  Nice car! - 2011 Hyundai Azera
  By Jack - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Just bought this car. Havent driven much yet, but so far, we love it! It is very stylish, and I like that I havent seen another on the road. Roomy, fun to drive. Lots of pick- up. Mine is loaded, so all the gadgets are very neat, especially the pop up rear window shade!

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  *Given* this Car Free but NOT Worth It! - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By gliese876d - September 11 - 2:00 am

  I helped my mother pick out this car new in 2002 & she owned it for 5 yrs before generously giving it to me after my divorce left me a single mom without a vehicle. At the time she bought it I thought the warranty was great & the price was right and it seemed to have some get-up-and-go. But since Ive owned it, I now see more clearly that it is a piece of junk. At 96K mi, its now going through oil, the engine light is perpetually on and it wont pass emissions. Even without these obvious problems, in hilly western PA, I cant tell you how many times Ive been terrified by the handling of this vehicle due to its horrible steering and braking! I cant wait til I can afford a new car!