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:

• 

  Follow up to review 8-08, now at 21,000 - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Daniel - February 27 - 1:04 pm

  I have now owned this car for 3 years. The inside armrest for the driver cannot bear a lot of weight and is now sagging. I had to have an alignment done because there was so much play in the steering and the car felt so disconnected on bumpy roads it felt downright dangerous to drive. The alignment made it much better but it still doesnt inspire confidence. The battery went out at 12,000 and Im just waiting for the new one to go out. The "passenger airbag off" light is now flickering. The brakes and shocks have held up well so far. The remote for the alarm/unlock/lock has to be pressed several times to get it to work. The stock tires are junk. Plastic panels near right back seat rattle.

• 

  This car may have saved my life - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By Karen - February 26 - 7:11 pm

  Two days ago I was plowed into the drivers side by a Subaru, who suffered minimal damage to his car but mine had to be totaled. Ive had several people say they are amazed I managed to walk away without a single scratch or bruise. I loved this car from the moment I test drove it but in the aftermath of my accident I am hooked for life just on the safety features. If little cars are your thing, get one of these!!

• 

  commuter car - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By 2bigfoot - February 26 - 12:54 pm

  I bought this car as a commuter vehicle. It gets 34 mpg doing my commute of 60 miles each way. I am 62" and for the most part it is a comfortable ride. If stuck in traffic for a while my right leg starts to cramp because there is not enough thigh support. I use a driving pillow which helps some. The front wheel well inserts seem a little flimsy because you can really hear all the road pebbles thrown up from the tires. The first couple hundred miles my radio died. It was replaced and now is O.K. Pretty quite highway ride and pretty good in the snow.

• 

  Generally satisfied - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Topper2 - February 26 - 7:59 am

  As a former Toyota owner, I took a chance and went to the Hyundai mainly because a comparably equipped Camry was $6000 more. The car has performed well. No brake problems. At my last service my local mechanic said that the brakes front and back were only 50% worn at over 40,000 miles. The styling is attractive, nice large trunk area and plenty of back seat room. . I still have the original Michelin tires and they have plenty left. Gas mileage is as advertised offering about 30 mpg with the V-6 when driving at or near speed limits on the freeway. Service at the dealership has been good. Have had 1 problem with a rattle in the windshield. Three attempts to fix it have not worked.

• 

  Gets the job done. - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Macnewbee - February 25 - 8:40 pm

  I dont think I would ever say to anyone, "Oh yeah, I love my car." Having said that the car itself, for what it is, is great. I paid 13,500 for it. Ive driven it 32,000 miles since I bought it 9 months ago. Id say 30K miles were spent on I-95 to and from work at 80 miles an hour. The car does what it needs to do everyday- starts and stops. There has been hesitation in the engine on more than one occasion. Something to expect out of a car with 100K on the engine, not a brand new car. I asked the maintenance people about this and they said that should be expected out of a Hyundai. The car came with features that would cost 30K on any other car. For the cost, the value is great.

• 

  Not the wisest choice - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By Genovese - February 25 - 7:28 am

  I purchased this car a little over a year ago. Ive had issues with the engine misfiring, oddly enough after Ive had oil changes from the dealer. I even had one service tech suggest that E85 gas (which I dont use) could have something to do with it. My wife owned a 2002 Accent and had issues with the engine and exhaust system. The fuel economy is not what it claims to be either. I will never buy another Hyundai. In fact, Ill be trading this one in soon for another companys equivalent.

• 

  Mistake - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By Too NOISY - February 22 - 6:54 pm

  2010 Hyundai continues to ride flat with stiff suspension. Lots of noise on most bumps. Dealership adjusted seats and bushings. No improvement. Tries trading at 800 miles. Too much of a loss. Take a test ride on an uneven road not a smooth road like I did. Poor economy. 25mpg on highway. My traded cobalt was better.Big Mistake!

• 

  Cant beat it for the price - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Dennis - February 22 - 3:55 pm

  Start looking for a slightly used Benz. We have had Benzs for 20 years and they have been great cars. Read the reviews on the Genesis and decided to look and drive. We found it very comparable to an E Type for $20K less. Great interior chocked with all the goodies. Handles well though steering is a little too sensitive on center and goes like H--for a 6 cyl. The wife loves it after driving her S Type for years. Great Buy!

• 

  Great Commuter Car In Tampa,FL - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By brians2510 - February 18 - 6:44 pm

  Great car for heavy traffic areas. I get a little under 30 miles to the gallon due to sitting in traffic in downtown Tampa. Very comfortable and great warranty.

• 

  I LOVED my little red accent... - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By ks2282 - February 18 - 1:06 am

  I bought this car new off the lot as my first car for about 10k...super cheap for a car that lasted me about 7 years. I never once had a problem with it until someone side-swiped it last weekend and totaled it. I was so sad to see it go. I had over 110,000 miles on it,and i only had to replace the brakes once, and change my headlights once. Otherwise it was all sched. maintenance. BEST warranty ever too. A good first car for anyone, or even a commuter. Just maintain your oil changes and services, and this car will last you forever!.