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:

• 

  Very Happy - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Subaru&Hyundai Lover - August 31 - 11:54 pm

  Ok so after looking at different cars I found this 06 Hyundai Sonata and right away just had to get it. it has 85,000+ miles and my friends dont believe me. the engine has enough power to throw you back in your seat under sharp acceleration using the Sport Shift option. some people think that its actually a brand new car. I love Subarus but even used they are way out of my budget. the stock audio system and sharp exterior styling has heads turning as I pull up to my college parking lot especially from girls. lol I never had that happen in my old 06 Chevy Equinox. I am definitely a loyal Subaru and Hyundai lover/owner.

• 

  Very Quiet and Refined - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dan fro AZ - August 31 - 7:26 pm

  Came out of a 2001 Infiniti I30 with 192K miles. This car is quieter at freeway speeds and at idle (nearly silent). Getting around 30 mpg overall here in Scottsdale, AZ on mix of city and freeway. Car feels very safe and the build quality is indeed excellent. This is the last year of this body style so I know all the bugs have been worked out. Everything is easy to use in this vehicle, the quiet cabin really allows you to enjoy XM/IPOD or cell phone call.

• 

  Dont spill your drinks! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By sls78 - August 31 - 12:19 pm

  Im sure most of us have been there, accidents happen. So I had a drink of soda spill in my center console where you place your cups. This ended up being a very expensive accident, $1200 and some change. The liquid from my drink went through the cup holder and fried the main "nerve" of the electrical system according to the service department. So needless to say since I spilled the soda the bumper to bumper warranty didnt cover it. At this time Im not going to have it fixed trading it in and Hyundai has lost a customer. Why would they put the electrical under the cup holders especially if the holder wont prevent liquid from damaging the wiring.

• 

  Good car for your money - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By sami - August 31 - 2:34 am

  I like the ride and handling of this car. The leather finishing is fantastic. Adaptive lights are great and the sound system is great also.

• 

  Traded 2009 3.8 to 2011 4.6 - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By Mike - August 30 - 9:24 am

  I traded my 2009 3.8 Tech package for a 2011 4.6. I was very happy with the 2009 3.8, so Im a repeat buyer. I even got the same color - Titanium metallic. Beyond the beefier motor, the things that are pleasant enhancements in the new car are: - Adaptive Cruise control - Navigation and EIS seem snappier - Bluetooth - I was never able to download my address book in the 2009 3.8 - but it worked the first time in the 2011. (Windows Mobile 6.5 phone)

• 

  Love It - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ryan - August 30 - 7:13 am

  Bought new in 03 and now has 117,000 on it and still runs and drives great. Have had zero problems other than the typical eating of tires and the head and tail light headaches. Has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. Also, hit a deer at 55 mph and the front end held up incredibly well, just replaced the grill and hood after about a month and looks and runs great still.

• 

  Cant go wrong - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By WORLDBFREE - August 26 - 7:47 am

  This is my 3rd Hyundai, just sold my 2002 Elantra with 193k miles - bought it new. I looked at Civics, Focus, Fiesta, Mazda 2 and 3 plus Subaru. I qualified for $3000 in rebates. I just bought a 2010 Elantra GLS PZEV, automatic with cargo net and mat for #13,100 plus tax, tags and docs. The sticker was like $17,870. You can buy other cars but $3-4k more. I own a 2008 Sonata with 62k miles. Hyundais are reliable.

• 

  You get what you pay for - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By mad - August 25 - 4:58 pm

  My sonata is a 2006 lx with 55,000 Florida miles. While the car runs great and is very comfortable. I have had to replace the dashboard cover both sun visors, both window frames for rust problems, and now the body is rusting out and Hyundai says the warranty does not cover rust until it causes a hole in the body. All I can say is let the buyer beware, you buy cheap car and you get a car full of cheap parts

• 

  Perfect car - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By fred - August 25 - 12:34 pm

  I traded in a 2005 Accent (that I bought new also) on this car a year ago. This car is even better than the 2005 was. Solid quality in and out, superb warranty, fun to drive, economical, and sharp-looking. I love the hatchback. My wife and I just returned from a 4000 mile vacation with no problems. For the trip, I removed the rear seats to make even more cargo room! Fantastic automobile that handles very well.

• 

  Still going strong at 116,000 miles - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By runner_chick - August 24 - 4:43 pm

  I bought my car 4 years ago and I have only replaced the ambient air sensor (warranty work) and an O2 sensor (out of warranty) my only complaint at the moment is that my steering wheel is coming apart. I has been such a great car. Recently made a 4,000+ mile road trip and not one problem. Average 36 mpg on the highway and 28 in town. Just need to figure out why i am going through oil a little faster than normal. Definitely a good car and highly recommended!