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:

• 

  Ages quickly-lost top gear at 117,500 miles - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By nwmn1 - August 24 - 11:26 am

  I was enamored with my 2007 Elantra when I purchased it certified used with 35,000 miles in 2009. I commute 5 hrs one way to work each week. The cars suspension ages quickly, and it seems I go through tires faster than on other vehicles? I accepted all of that until a mid-night commute in rural MN found the car bucking and losing top gear. Im now unable to go more than 50mph without a new buck every 10-15 miles. Transmission rebuild isnt worth it for the dents and plastic undercarriage breakage from living on dirt roads. I had planned on driving this car into the ground miles-wise. I expected many more years to do so . . .

• 

  Nice Ride - 2013 Hyundai Genesis
  By ytown - August 17 - 4:00 pm

  Coming out of my Infiniti G37X lease I wanted to find a nice car that was affordable. Chose the Genesis based on a beautiful exterior design and a great value for the money. I couldnt believe the deal I was able to get on this car. Currently have 7k miles on it, no problems with the car so far. Very luxurious car, fast acceleration, no problems driving at 80-90 miles an hour on the highway and whisper quiet. My only complaint with this car is the handling is not as sporty as I would like but I knew that before I bought the car. I just couldnt bring myself to pay extra for the R-Spec.

• 

  Gas Mileage - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By rodgarrett - August 12 - 4:30 pm

  Bought my Elantra in May 2012. I know they overestimated the mileage but I am getting about 18mpg in the city and less than 30mpg on the highway. Nowhere near what I expected. I do not drive fast or overly aggressive. I would not buy another Elantra or Hyundai for that matter. Considering reporting to the Consumer Protection Agency and the EPA.

• 

  Sad to trade at 194,000 - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By tommyz504 - August 8 - 1:05 am

  This little car has performed so reliably I hate to see it go. Comfortable interior (though the cup holders are truly miserable), nice handling, zippier than you might expect. Bought used at 121,000 up to 185k car spent only one day out of service. New Orleans streets took out a U-joint at 125k brakes at 150k, gasket at 175k, high pressure hose around the same time, 2 alternators in 6 years, and belts from time to time. Timing belt at 185k. Minor interior nuisances: rear window motors out at 130k, driver door handle failed, drivers window gasket out of line. City mpg was always a bit disappointing: steady at 18 mpg, much better on the hwy. Still, it was a great way to get around town.

• 

  Not happy! - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By 2424 - August 2 - 3:58 pm

  I have 20000 miles on my elantra. the first 600 miles I followed the recommended break-in procedure from the owners manual. I drive conservatively and always have eco on. I average 22 to 24 mpg city. very disappointing. dealer checked it out and said all specs were normal. I was doing almost that well with my sonata. My trunk latch and glove compartment have had to be replaced. Noise from front brakes that dealer could not solve. Pads are good. So all in all, I wish I had kept my sonata.

• 

  Average Yet Amazing - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By destiny225 - July 22 - 9:37 pm

  I currently get an average of 30 mpg thats through town mainly with some highway, but I do drive conservatively. The seating is spacey both in the back and front. The seats are quite large in the front compared to other 2009/2010 cars that I have seen. The sound is amazing. I barely have to turn my radio up unlike multiple other cars I have test driven/driven (forester, grand caravan, corolla, etc.). I also have noticed that the ride can be a little more than just bumpy over potholes, but nothing severe. The acceleration is slow when preparing to enter the highway, but I hear you can fix that by taking the ECO off. I havent tried to turn the ECO off though.

• 

  Looks Arent Everything - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By creeves1 - July 6 - 8:39 am

  I would like to preference this by saying I Never write reviews on anything, so this is a Huge deal to me. Lets see where can I start....Okay so I just purchased a 2012 Hyundai Elantra which I had so desperately wanted since the new body changed in 2011. Let me just be honest here I dont have any Major complaints, but my only issue is the noise level when I am driving. At first it start off on rough roads with potholes, now it seems like the noise and sound when I drive is just becoming louder and louder and it is driving me crazy. Its not a sound coming from the car itself just the noise I can hear when I am driving on rough and smooth roads.

• 

  Mine just died... - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By 00elantra - June 17 - 3:30 pm

  I bought my 2000 Elantra in 05 (and its actually an automatic transmission - not given that option in dropdown box), and it has officially died right at 150,000 miles. The head gasket is leaking - I could replace for about $1,200, but Im not. AC compressor happens to be leaking / needs replacement also at this time. It was a fine little car while it lasted. Only major repairs prior to this were: front strut mounts at 120k miles entire radiator replaced at 100k CV joint / axle joint issues couple times (not a big deal) went through many tires & car pulled most of the time. Very little mechanical issues.

• 

  Not Happy - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By sem103 - June 13 - 1:04 am

  Purchased 05.14.2013 had it in the shop for bluetooth not downloading contacts, delivered with scratch on glove box door and window tint not done properly on 05.24.2013, windows retinted, glove box door replaced bluetooth problem not fixed. The way vehicle drove seemed odd took a few weeks to get use to it, noticed it was pulling to the right and the steering wheel was not centered and extensive wear on left front tire. Bluetooth still will not download contacts have tried several different phones. Dealership told me that steering wheel and pulling to right would not be covered by warranty, even though it has driven that way since i got it with 65 miles on it. Making another appointment.

• 

  WHITE PEARL ELANTRA-PAINT ISSUES ON PLASTIC SURFACES - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By mary151 - June 5 - 2:30 am

  I own a 2011 white pearl Elantra. The paint of the front bumper is a different shade of white than the side panels. Positively more yellow and less pearly. The dealer and Hyundai Motor representatives acknowledge the problem (fading) but states that my issue is, I quote: "consistent amongst all similar vehicles". In plain English :"we are aware of the problem but since nobody complains youd better live with it". It is absolutely abnormal to observe this situation on a less than 2 years old car and the problem seems to get worst overtime...same problem started on door handles and rear bumper