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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  Real value - 2010 Hyundai Azera
  By New Bethesda Owner - April 5 - 4:02 pm

  Bought the black on black. Looks very good inside and out. Drives like a very high-end luxury car. I am very satisfied with my purchase at less than $26,000. Unfortunately, I already got two small scratches down to the metal. I dont know if its the paint quality or just fate. Seats are very plush at first, but I found I needed to shift my weight around after about an hour of driving to be comfortable. I dont recall doing this in other cars.

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  Watch the rear brakes - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By notagain - April 5 - 3:25 pm

  Except for the rear brakes wearing out long before the front ones I dont have any negative thing to say. This issue alone will keep me from buying another Hyundai though. They were not very truthful with the info about the rear brakes. They acted like I was the only one. After reading all these posts it seems like a common flaw.

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  Buy one youll be glad you did. - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dan - April 4 - 5:46 pm

  First thing you need to do is spray the seats with stain guard the material on the seats is awfully easy to stain. The car is great rides and drives better then Camry or anything else in its class with a very quick engine, no motor noise comfort is stellar it is very roomy for the size. I just can cant find anything to complain about. It is a great little car and 32 mph mixed driving is not bad. Do that in a Camry I dont think you can and gas will get to about 4.00 a gallon just wait and see. The car is fast no motor noise cant be beat for the money.

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  Sonata rebiew - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tony - April 4 - 8:20 am

  No problems for five years. Low maintenance vehicle.

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  21,000 miles later - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By rajo394 - April 4 - 1:53 am

  2009 Elantra SE, only defect was the radio and one speaker not working after 21,000 miles. Surprised to read about suspension problems. The ride seems very good considering the type of car. The seat covering could be better, attracts dirt. The steering is quick, have to keep your mind on the road. Handles Arizona bumps and potholes fairly well. It is my everyday work car and have been pleased. Second Elantra, I will hold it for 5 years and trade it in. Lots of plastic, holds the weight cost down. I get 28 mpg in city over 30 on highway depending on how fast I go. I believe it is the best value on the market.

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  Excellent Warranty - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Yoga - March 31 - 11:37 pm

  The car is solidly built. I moved around a lot and the car still stand up well after 5 years. The warranty is great. They found problems with the CV boots, cylinders, and all 4 shocks, they replace them all for free! This car is going to last a few more years!

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  Fun to drive 2006 - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By ken - March 29 - 7:15 pm

  We have had ours 2 weeks and love this car so far. Excellent gas mileage fun to drive.

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  Could add a few upgrades - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By RK - March 29 - 11:02 am

  Having traded in a Lexus ls430 I was hoping for a comparable car. This model needs more storage space in glove compartment and center consul. It needs 3 way seats for small passengers. It needs wheel locks. It needs flatter response when cornering. Needs more leg room in rear. A 7 speed transmission would help mileage for longer trips. Otherwise, the car seems to be a good value with good performance.

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  Cruise control issue - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By frustratedinOntario - March 29 - 9:19 am

  When using the Cruise control rpm increase by 200-300 as opposed to using your foot to control speed. At 100 kph using your foot to control speed rpm are approx 2500. If using the Cruise option, at 100 kph the rpm are at 2800! This issue happens at all speed ranges, therefore, the vehicle does not get anywhere near the fuel mileage as advertised when using the Cruise control. Dealership finds the problem real and perplexing, Hyundai Canada says there is nothing wrong? So the consumer is stuck in the middle with no answers and no repair forthcoming. Not a very good intro to Hyundai for this first time Hyundai buyer.

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  Looking for excuses to drive it. - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Ash - March 29 - 1:21 am

  Ive always disliked taking "Sunday Drives" in cars just to drive around for no reason. After buying my Genesis though, Im actually looking for excuses to take it out and drive it. It is the first vehicle Ive owned, and Ive been driving for over 40 years, that I actually want to take out and drive around for no reason other than the sheer joy of driving it! The 4.6 is responsive and quiet. The interior is roomy and the leather seats are buttery soft and comfortable. The brakes have excellent stopping power. The ride is firm but not uncomfortable. I love the trunk space I have in this car too.