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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  Great to start with - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By rjallen - June 23 - 12:11 pm

  We bought our Hyundai when it was a year old. We were well pleased with it until it hit about 35,000 miles. We had 4 throttle body sensors replaced under warranty. This was a tow to the dealership on each occasion. Luckily the tow was also covered under warranty. However we had the 5 sensor replaced at 80,000 miles and this was on us. Hyundai part only and the repair was $555.00. At 75,000 miles the sun visors would not stay in the up position. Even though this seems to be a common problem, Hyundai does not cover them under warranty. The cost to replace was $307. I drive my cars for years and close to 300,000 miles. Never had this much problem with my supposedly poorly built US cars.

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  Long-Term Update - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By Drew2931 - June 21 - 2:42 pm

  This is a long-term update to my earlier report about 16 months ago when the car had about 20,000 miles. I now have about 60,000 miles on the car and I still love it. No question that this is one of the best cars - definitely the best value - I have ever owned. I have only had only one unusual problem - had a broken tooth on the timing gear, it was replaced under warranty. Otherwise it has been perfectly reliable. As you can tell, I spend a lot of time in a car covering al-ms in technology sales. I often will drive over 3 hours in a stretch and I arrive still feeling good as the car is so comfortable.

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  Sonata Happy in Las Vegas - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dion120632 - June 21 - 1:40 pm

  I purchased my 2006 Hyundai new from the dealership in June 2006 and can say that the vehicle has been a steady and dependable vehicle. The V6 provides plenty of power when needed and the interior/trim look well and continue to work without fail. The valve cover gasket was replaced by the dealer under warranty at 55,000 miles - the only major repair to the vehicle. Otherwise, the car requires routine maintenance to keep it humming. Like many, I purchased the Sonata because I did not have enough coin to spring for a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. As I look back on it, purchasing the Sonata was a sound decision and Ill continue to drive it until the wheels fall off and I buy a new Sonata!

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  Good Car - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By 02Guy - June 20 - 6:59 pm

  I purchased my car brand new back in 2002. It now has 123,000 miles on it and Im now just experiencing a few problems. The power steering line is leaking power steering fluid. From other reviews, it seems like this is a common problem and should possibly be a recall because of a poor design flaw. The paint is also peeling on my roof. A few other minor complaints were the antennae broke, but it was still under warranty, the O2 sensor went out a few times and chrome inside door handles peeled, all covered by a recall. Also, the maintenance is a bit pricey. Now for the good. It handles great and has such a smooth ride. No major problems the first 7 years of ownership. Ill buy a Hyundai again.

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  Bad Fuel Economy - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By Bob - June 18 - 10:16 am

  The car is driven 98% highway doing the speed limit of 55 mph to 65 mph I watch the tachometer for any major changes in engine speed. The gas mileage is not even close to the sticker. I average 30 to 32 mpg, the sticker states 37 to 43 mpg.

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  Great Car! - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By bunorra - June 18 - 6:34 am

  Ive had my little black accent now for 6 years. Im now looking to upgrade to a Mini Cooper for the only reason that I just want a newer car and a change. Im a little worried though about letting this baby go as it has been the BEST car EVER! Never had a problem. Im determined to find a buyer that loves it as much as I do and I will be very sad to see it drive away. If you are looking to buy an accent I would say DO IT!

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  Its been fairly reliable so far - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By John - June 17 - 5:10 pm

  Bought new in Dec 01. So far, no MAJOR issues with the car its been mechanically sound and reliable at 104K miles. The couple of times I took the car in for warranty-related work, the dealer refused and wanted me to pay (it was electrical issue). Seems like warranty work is a hit/miss with dealers. Ive had only minor annoying electrical problems so far, like the dash clock not working (took it apart and repaired myself), turn signal switch intermittent (repaired myself), side mirror heaters no longer work, air blower switch position 1 doesnt work, several bulbs in the dash burned out (including the headlights numerous times). Steering vibrates at above 60 MPH intermittently.

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  Ultra-Reliable, Great Purchase - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By balconyinthesun - June 17 - 12:37 pm

  Bought this car in 2007, so it was 4 years old with about 70K kilometers on it. So far, there has been NO major work needed. This car starts immediately in -40 degree Celsius weather, a better track record than our 2005 Volks Jetta which needs to be boosted at least twice each winter. This car is pushed really hard with many road trips carrying full loads. Fuel economy is better than our other car, so we take this one on long road trips. There is no a/c, no power anything, but that means that any repair costs are much lower. Were having issues with the wiper motors right now, but we live spitting distance from freight trains, so there may be tons of dirt. Overall, I LOVE this car.

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  80% - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By MissMissouri - June 16 - 3:03 pm

  I seem to have had the same experience as Mrs Barrett. Bought @ 25,000, currently @ 85,000. I run synthetic oil, keep up all maintenance religiously, and overall take care of my car. About 1000 miles ago (2 month.), I was driving home from work and my radiator reservoir tank blew a leak. It scared me. I was on cruise control late at night and suddenly I hear a loud POP and I see steam escaping out of the back of the car. The next day, and $500 later, I have a whole new radiator (reservoir tank alone cannot be replaced w/o changing the radiator!).

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  Love My Sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Charles P - June 15 - 12:34 am

  Love this car. Also own Lincoln Town Car. 72,900 on it now and have only replaced the headlights (3 times) but I drive with them on all the time. Bought it 2 yr old with 18,000 miles and it has not whimpered one time. Car cruises at 75-80 on a regular basis, the ac is always cold, suspension is tight and I have only replaced tires and a battery. Use it as the community car when company comes and they love it. Even the BMW and Audi owner. The car is heavy for its size and hugs the road. Did a 3500 mile road trip without fail, no issues. It gets about 26 mpg and growls when you really romp it.