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 GS - 2000 Hyundai Accent
  By jimh - August 24 - 4:33 pm

  Bought new as a drive-to-work car. Had 2 minor problems long ago-throttle sensor and driver window motor. Fast fixes under warranty. Ive treated it well and it has returned the favor. This is not a race car nor an SUV so you cant abuse it. I suspect this is where most oil and other problems come from. Changed oil every 3-5K, the timing belt at 45K service. Clutch pedal throwout bearing started minor chattering at 65K. Warranty covered and dealer did clutch (not needed but did it while warranty covered disassembly and reassembly). Wont set records but accelerates just fine. 33 mpg city, 36- 43mpg highway depending on grade of gas. Age is setting in but it is still strong. Never leaked.

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  Excellent commuter or first car - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Janglez - August 24 - 3:09 pm

  Ive had my Elantra for about a year and a half now and have 125k on it, Im 19 and it is my first car, but I have driven a lot of my friends Hondas, and other I4 engine cars. My Elantra out preforms all of them, even stock. Only bad thing is when I have a car full, power lacks a little, just like any other 4 banger. Drives smooth until about 55 and vibrates a little, stops after 70. Corners great, with minimal body roll with good struts. 22 mpg average, topped out at 35 mpg on a road trip. I drive this car really hard, and only had minimal damage. Defiantly recommend this car to anyone looking for a cheap reliable car that out preforms other cars in its class.

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  Now I am concerned! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By liss - August 24 - 12:48 am

  I purchased the Sonata on May 28th of this year. I was ecstatic about the value and what I got for the money! I have owned an Accent in the past, and LOVED it until I was rear-ended and it was totaled. My daughter also owned an Accent. I dont put much mileage on the car as I am disabled. I just recently hit the 1,000 mile mark (since May!) This car is wonderful! I couldnt have made a better choice. I will, however, have the rear brakes checked tomorrow when I take the baby in for routine maintenance. BOTTOM LINE: Great Car!

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  2006 Sonata GLS 6 cyl automatic - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By 2006 Hyundai Sonata - August 23 - 4:49 pm

  Turned 76K miles and pleased overall. Excellent value for the quality. Floor shift indicator lamp went out after warranty expired. Have not bothered to have repaired. Vehicle came with free oil change for life every 3500 miles. However, when you add the extra charges associated there was little savings. Does not perform well in snow.

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  2002 Sonata - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Andy - August 23 - 4:33 pm

  Good commuter car, not so great mpg but manageable. Some issues were fixed under warranty water pump, front window motor replaced and complete instrument panel replaced because of a broken fuel gauge, so reflected mileage is actually less than actual. The cons: front right brakes were replaces but always squeaks, timing belt jumped and damaged the timing sensor before 60k miles and transmission speed sensor went out at 64k mi which cost me $950 and $350 respectively. Dealer said it was not covered under drivetrain warranty, would have wanted to keep this car but problems are starting to pop out.

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  Excessive road noise inside - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By CALIFGUY - August 22 - 4:39 pm

  Ive had my 2008 Azera for 9 months, and have noticed the road noise inside the car to be very loud, compared to the 2006 Azera I still own, and my wife drives. I have adjusted the tire pressure on the Michelin tires, and still see no improvement. Both cars have the exact same tires, and maintain the same tire pressure. The dealer says "it is what it is", and couldnt explain why both cars would vary so much in road noise. I still have 1000s of miles wear left on these tires, and hope when the time comes to replace them, it will make a difference

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  Love it! - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By jrpath - August 22 - 12:44 pm

  So glad we chose this wonderful car. We traded in a 2008 BMW 328I for this and are so happy with the space, XM stereo, price and smoother ride.

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  Poor Quailty vehicle no care fromHyundai - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By Steve - August 21 - 7:26 am

  Guess the frustration is everything gone wrong seems to not be able to be repaired or not covered under Hyundai warranty. In 2 years CD has gone out, not under warranty, head gasket blew, not has a battery discharge short they cannot find and been in shop for 4 times same issue for a month. Hyundai wont return calls to me to discuss the issue and shop says they know it has a problem but dont know how to repair. While I enjoyed this car at once as a company I now have to give Hyundai an "F" for consumer assistance and standing behind their product. They are not a brand on my do not buy list for any reason.

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  Warranty Goes - BEWARE - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By RJ Seevers - August 21 - 12:32 am

  Purchased new the same year as our Honda Civic. Have put 74k miles in 5- years on Sonata, double that mileage on the Civic. Sonata feels & drive like the older care. Warranty is over on both. Civic runs like top. But, Sonata always has Engine Warning lights on. Handles & seat belts are breaking, also fixed prior under warranty. Costs building like crazy on Sonata. ESC has issues, dangerous loss of power occurs often. Was repaired both in and out of warranty. Both of us wish we would have gone with a Honda Accord instead. Sonata is cheaper. I got what I paid for.

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  As Good as a Genesis - 2011 Hyundai Azera
  By Jim Exum - August 20 - 5:31 pm

  This car is better than a German and much less expensive with a superior warranty. Very elegant.