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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  Needed some work - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Amy - August 3 - 3:04 pm

  When I purchased the car I knew it needed work. I had three recalls on it when I bought it not including a bit more repairs than I wanted to make on a used car. The gas mileage is great, specially on long trips. Other than that it is just going to be the car I hang on to until it breaks down. Hope it lasts a few years with all the repairs.

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  a good buy - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By dmk - August 1 - 10:31 pm

  I have a muscle car for the summers. Needed a winter/run around car. Was looking at used, for $11.000 the car was a steal. auto, a/c. Worry free driving and in a strange way, fun little car to drive.

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  Pleased with my purchase but ... - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By Norm - July 31 - 7:40 pm

  I was very pleased with my purchase. This little car gets decent gas mileage (I drive 100 miles a day.) Id like more MPG. I was concerned to find a bit of body rust that wasnt noticed when the car was being detailed for my purchase. The sport suspension is really great here in the mountains.

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  its a winner - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By grandpa james - July 31 - 5:11 pm

  The engine in this car is amazing. Doesnt burn a drop of oil, even at 135,000 and the oil is still not very dirty (dark) at 5000 mile oil changes.

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  Been there Done that - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By skyken - July 29 - 12:09 am

  Looked at Hyundai in 1986 and didnt buy. Had 2001 Audi A6 which I sold and wanted to replace with a newer model. Drove a Sonata on a dare and enjoyed it but wanted a more powerful luxury car similar to my Audi Quattro which was the best handling car Ive ever owned. The Azera that I bought was $6,000 less and 2 years newer than a comparable A6. Mileage at steady 80 is 22 mpg at 53 mph was an astonishing 29 mpg. Very comfortable ride, excellent handling for a FWD full size sedan. The dealer in Delray Beach treats me like gold and has replaced shocks, turned rotors above 30k miles. Ive driven all types of cars in my over 40 years and this has to be one of the best. Definitely will buy again.

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  Own a 2006 & 2008 azera - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By BILL IN SO. CALIF. - July 27 - 9:43 pm

  Bought a used 2006 (1st year model) limited edition, with 12,000 miles. Now has 103,000. Gave it to my wife, when I bought a used 2008 azera with 12,000 miles, now has 30,000. I have owned over 25 cars in my life, and these are among my top 3 all time favorite cars. You cant beat the quality and features for the price. Dealer service is the only way to go. They stand behind their cars 100%. If I have to complain about something, its the amount of road noise on the freeway. My 2008 has navigation, but it is outdated, and not user friendly. Hyundai is updating the nav in 2011. Two friends have bought azeras, after driving mine.

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  Good but not Great - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Traderjo - July 24 - 9:45 am

  I rented this car from Avis for a week while on vacation. It had less than 4,000 miles on it. It has a buffeting noise that is really irritating when you are on winding roads, I dont think extensive wind tunnel testing was done on this car. My car also had a built in GPS and it was the worst GPS I have ever worked with. I had to put my Tom Tom in to get anywhere reliably. There is no power outlet in the rear of the car, I was traveling with my family and one power outlet is not enough for us. I have owned Audis, Acuras and Infinities. The Genesis is a good value for the money but they are still not in the same class as the more expensive brands.

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  Sonata is awesome! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sonata Guy - July 23 - 2:34 pm

  I bought my 06 GLS v6 used with 20k, I now have 103k on it. Stock rotors will warp, replace them with EBC rotors and Akebono pads HUGE improvement over OEM. I havent had any problems, Ive changed all fluids out. Only let down is fuel mileage, city driving not so good, highway driving has dropped too, avg is around 23-25, on the highway I can get around 26-30 depending on speed. If you do all city with V6 you will be in teens. For those griping about replacing strut mount bushing at 130k, LOL please thats a lot of miles stop whining. I wish I would have gone with the 4 cylinder seems fuel mileage is better and more consistent.

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  Dont Recommend - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Me - July 23 - 1:45 pm

  Within 4 years I have replaced the transmission, alternator, battery, brakes, replaced all 4 tires, and have gone through about 8 headlights. This is a nice cheap car, but you pay for what you get. I do not consider this car reliable, one thing breaks after the other. Gas is terrible and paint scratches easily.

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  Beautiful - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Beautiful (my car) - July 22 - 10:06 am

  I brought my Sonata brand new. I have 105,000 miles. I travel a lot between NC, VA, and MD. I have the basic model and I love my car Ive only had one problem and that was the rear brakes. I have been rear ended twice at the red light and my car is great on safety. I plan to buy the 2011 as soon as I can. I also get 30 plus miles to the gallon.and for the people complaining about the tires try BF Goodrich advantages they are just as great as the Michelins. (made by Michelin I think)