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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  Customer Lost for Life - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Rebecca Gavin - June 5 - 11:52 am

  I am writing this review because I am extremely frustrated by an intermittent problem with the air conditioner. Basically, sometimes the air comes on, and sometimes it doesnt. It can take as long as 5-10 minutes for the fan to kick in. Imagine what thats like when its 90 degrees out? Problem is, its intermittent. Ive had it in to the dealer. But if its working when I bring it in, they cant figure out the problem. So, I will likely have to live with this as long as I have the car. I have to use my car for my job, so this is pretty awful. Every summer, its the same thing. No more Hyundais for me.

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  Id look at a Sonata - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By 2007SonataLover - June 5 - 12:43 am

  I own a Sonata. Mine went in to the shop for a recall and I got a 2008 Azera with 20k miles on the odo. It rattles like crazy and you hear the back end. The transmission is terrible and doesnt shift right. There is cheap plastic and door handles are plastic. My Sonata is so much nicer and roomier. I dont understand. Was looking forward to driving this car. Like Hyundai, but I would look at a Sonata. Mine has twice the miles and no rattles. Oh, turned the radio up so I couldnt hear the rattles and the Infinity radio is pretty bad too. This one pulls to the right, maybe its been wrecked since its a loaner car?

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  Great Ride - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By SGM - June 4 - 8:25 pm

  I reviewed road tests of several vehicles of this size and went on to drive a few. The Elantra came out on top. I believe it fills all the requirements for a vehicle in this price range. For the customers complaining of a bumpy ride, you should have test driven it more. You are not getting a Rolls Royce at this price. What you are getting is good basic transportation with all the safety items included. It will get you where you need to go. It is a great buy!

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  Satisfied Buyer - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By lululea217 - June 3 - 9:46 pm

  I love this car! It rides very smoothly and the XM radio is a must have that I didnt know I needed until now!

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  Five Years Without a Problem - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By James - June 3 - 6:01 pm

  We have put 70,000 miles on this car in five years and our only expenses have been gas, oil changes and a new set of tires. It still has its original breaks. I drove it hard on a 1,500 mile interstate highway trip and averaged 33.1 mpg. When ethanol is added to the gas the mileage is not as good. I thought it was odd that a four cylinder car would have a 150 MPH speedometer. After I had the car three years a friend asked me how fast it would go. I was on a country road and when it reached 122 mph I backed off, so I dont know what it will really do. Also, this was with ethanol in the tank.

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  2002 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By dhw - June 3 - 4:17 am

  I have owned my 2002 Hyundai Elantra for over 8 years. I have over 230,000 miles. Best little car I have owned. I liked it so much I purchased another Hyundai Elantra this past year. This will make 3 Hyundais in the past 20 years. My first (excel) I passed the 200k mark and then donated it to charity. I enjoy the ride and have had very limited problems. I average 29-35 mpg on the highway and around 25 around town.

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  The First 6000 mi - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Steve W - June 2 - 5:15 pm

  Traded my 2006 Infiniti for the 2010 Genesis 4.6 Sedan. The Genesis has exceeded my expectations and requirements in every way. The fit and finish, the comfort, the level of equipment. The vehicle is not lacking in any area. Although the EPA rating is 17/25, my experience has been 20/29. This car absolutely provides the most bang for the buck. You must drive this car before purchasing a Lexus, Infiniti, or Acura! It will very pleasantly surprise you.

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  No sign of wear at 80,000 miles - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By David Levine - May 31 - 11:46 pm

  I am almost at 80,000 miles on my Sonata and I still havent had one problem. Just had the car detailed and it looks great - almost no signs of wear. This is right around the point where my Mercedes started having crazy electrical problems but I think my Hyundai will go until I want to replace it with something more fun. The real debate is whether to sell it before it hits 100k miles or drive it into the ground - which could be years.

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  Great car! - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jay - May 30 - 9:04 pm

  I bought this car used a few months ago and couldnt be more pleased. I routinely get 37+ MPG on the highway and it handles great in the deep MN snow. Great storage with the hatchback and the interior is great. Cant beat the leather, sunroof, etc. that you wont get with a Civic or a Corolla.

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  Cheap - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Lorean - May 28 - 9:32 am

  I can honestly say that I have not ever had any engine or transmission problems it runs great! BUT everything is CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP that is on it! All 4 of my door handles are broken, it dents very easy, the radio only works when it wants too, just made very cheap. It would be great for a person just starting to drive but I am 25 with a baby and it is NOT a good family car at all!