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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  There must be two Genesis sedans - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By roy suthard - July 15 - 9:28 pm

  Hyundai must build two different Genesis sedans. The one I own certainly does not live up to the hype. I have owned 3 great Toyota Avalons prior to buying my Hyundai. I sure wish that I would have spent more time trying it out! A BIG MISTAKE! Toyotas concern about cars being produced rather than cars already in the hands of customers really ticked me off! Problems that I have with my Genisis are as follows: 1. Extreme engine noise when accelerating from a stop. Sounds like pinging, but its not. 2. Loud drone from rear sean when fuel get to 1/4 tank. 3. Steering wheel wont park at times. 4. Glove box wont open at times. 5. Tire noise. 6. Ft.Pass say seat too low. way too low

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  Lost it to accident 125,000 miles - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By consumer - July 15 - 6:57 pm

  Great car. Only had to change timing belt at 60,000 mi and 120,000 miles at a cost of approximately $250 to $300. One set of brake pads at 70,000 mi and the rest was just wipers and bulbs. Car was considered a total loss with insurance company. I did not want to get rid of it. It did very well on a head on collision. At least I thought. Minimal damage in my eyes. A great car company backs their vehicles with a 10year/ 100,000 mi warranty on engine and powertrain and a 5year/60,000 mi bumper to bumper warranty! Oh and dont give me that "I want to buy American" crap. Hyundai is built here in America. Ford fusion has "assembled in Mexico" or parts from Japan!

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  I love my Elantra! - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dani - July 15 - 3:43 pm

  I got my 2007 Hyundai Elantra a little over a month ago and I love it! It is a great car, fun to drive, comfy, GREAT sound system, more storage than I can fill and great on gas, I average 32-35 mpg city and got almost 40 when I drove a 300 mile trip a few weeks ago. I love the cruise control and it is a manual so it accelerates quickly. It has a lot of great features. I would recommend this car for everyone. I am a college student and this summer I am babysitting. This car fits two car seats in the back comfortably. I will also appreciate all the space when I am coming back and forth from school this fall. Great car at a great price!

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  Driven 7 months so far - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Driven 7 months..... - July 15 - 12:43 pm

  Purchased 2010 3.6 new in Jan. 2010, after 7 months I am pretty happy overall but not without complaints. Radio/stereo with combined navigation on screen suffers from poor design, too many clicks required to do simple tasks like view then change radio station. Voice recognition software not great, will only turn off using the specific word, "suspend", otherwise wont go off and no manual off option. Driving and ride excellent after 7 months and 6,000+ miles, no repairs or squeaks. Dealer had to update nav software, and now must replace tilt wheel and seat memory chip. Dealer has great service, Hyundai customer serv. great! Overall, excellent vehicle, top warranty (10 yr) Paid $38k pre tax.

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  Not too shabby - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hyundai Owner 23 - July 14 - 8:35 pm

  Bought the car in Aug. 2009 and have had incredible fuel mileage from the beginning. I am surprised to see people putting numbers below 30 mpg. I havent gotten anything below 32 mpg. I got 36 my last fill up. I commute 70 miles a day driving around 55 mph most the way. This car is great for that (commuting).

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  2001 Hyundai Sonata (4 cyl) - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tony from PA - July 14 - 5:42 pm

  Purchased car new. The vehicle has 57,000 miles on it. Over the past ten years, I have only performed maintenance items on the vehicle. I have just had to service it for the first time. The AC compressor needed to be replaced. Purchased an extended bumper to bumper warranty so the it was covered. I recently passed the car onto my son. Out of all of the cars I have owned, this one has been the most reliable.

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  2010 Genesis Sedan - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Jeff in Texas - July 13 - 9:06 am

  You cant buy a better luxury car for the money. I owned a Sonata which was one of the most trouble free cars Ive ever owned, and the Genesis is following suite. The quietness, luxury interior, looks, features, well, just about anything I care about is outstanding. I routinely get compliments from the people who see it and the ones who ride in it. If your emphasis is on value, get a Genesis. If your ego demands recognition, get a BMW, Lexus or Mercedes.

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  Happy with Purchase! - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bella - July 13 - 8:41 am

  After much consideration I got a Hyundai due to price, options, and warranty (which I also got an extended warranty because I drive for a living). My car runs great, is very quiet, and is comfortable to drive in (I did have to get used to the headrest though - just a little different). I have not noticed any of the suspension issues others have mentioned here, but I did notice a difference in how the car rides with the SE vs. the GLS model. The SE is a much nicer ride, and hugs curves like a pro. It is a very responsive vehicle. So far I have gotten 30 mpg on average. Also the car looks small from the outside, but feels very roomy inside - which I like very much.

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  Durable, practical & affordable - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By HyundaiMomma - July 9 - 1:50 pm

  I was just out of college & driving a 05 Ford Escort when I bought the Accent new. I test drove a 05 Elantra & preferred it to the Accent for 2 reasons (smoother shifting & a quieter ride). However the Accent was more affordable on my tight budget. 5 years & 65K miles later, I havent had to have any work done on it. Ive replaced the tires as part of routine maintenance. A few months ago a party driving around 25 mph rear-ended my Accent. Damage was limited to the bumper. Sometimes I feel a little crowded when there is someone else riding in front with me but my son feels comfortable riding in the back. Sharp handling and good breaking - a zippy car that maneuvers tight spaces well

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  Solid safe reliable transportation - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By Paul - July 9 - 1:23 am

  We have owned our 2009 Elantra for about a year and have found it to be a very solid, comfortable, reliable car. The exterior styling and performance are on the boring side but the features for the price paid more than compensate for these shortcomings.