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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  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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  Not my first pick - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kate - March 18 - 7:52 pm

  This car was ok at first. Nothing fancy although its always been terribly uncomfortable on your back. The leather seats are hard and have never softened up. Now at 75K miles all four struts need to be replaced and there is a weird humming from the rear end. It leaks water going through the car wash - always has. Some rust on the rear wheel well, thought it would have held up better than that, but maybe because of the salty winter roads. Have replaced all the brake pads and tires, to be expected. The clear coat is chipped up pretty bad on the hood from gravel? I waxed it (black) and every pit showed up white from the wax. Oh and the hatchback struts? wont keep the hatch open anymore-Annoying

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  Unhappy Owner - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By Mike - March 16 - 2:11 pm

  I bought this car used Aug 09. Had 28k miles on it. It has developed a quite load ticking in the engine. Worse on cold days but can be heard always. Tried twice to get dealer to fix under warranty. They refused. Said until something breaks theres nothing they can do. What good is a warranty if they wont honer it. I actually am starting to hate this car. Its has a noisy, jittery ride. I just have a feeling in another 20k it will be a hunk of junk. I will get rid of it somehow this summer when it warms up and the ticking sound is not a obvious.

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  2006 Hyundi - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Helmut - March 5 - 7:21 pm

  Not at all happy with this car since I picked it up from the dealer. It had pulsating on the brakes and a vibration while driving. This was on city streets. Had to go back twice to have the rotors turned and wheels balanced. Vibration was never fixed to my satisfaction for a new car and was told that there is nothing wrong. Washer pump failed at 120K Strut mount bushings had to be changed at 130K Head lights need to be replaced at least once a year and engine light comes on with no fault and needs to be reset. The initial cost is attractive but the resale value is not there so as far as I am concerned the cost of ownership is high. I will not buy another Hyundi. I have owned two Sonatas.

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  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.

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  Wish I had bought American - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Larry - February 16 - 2:27 pm

  I bought the car during the 2007-2008 fuel crunch for better mileage than my American v8 sedan. Initially, it paid off in dividends. However (gradually) the economy of the car has become less & less. Using synthetic oil, high flow / reusable filter, and upgraded plugs have now changed the decline in economy. Found a bad coil, tail light switch gave out, check engine light on & off, and now having to slam the driver door shut & opening the door to find the panel seems broken ...tomorrow is my dealer appointment to have it looked at.

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  Bang, Bang, Bang - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By Debi in Tampa - February 14 - 10:09 am

  I purchased a 4 door hatchback. I will start out with the negative-low rider- bang, bang, bang over every little bump. I sometimes think a plastic bag makes it bang. The cars suspension needs major improvement. My Chevy Malibu was so much more comfortable and truthfully I wish I had gone back to a Chevy. Gas mileage is about 22.9 per gallon in city.

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  Hyundai Genesis 3.8 V6 Tech/Premium Pack - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By WESTWINDLION - February 2 - 1:01 pm

  Overall excellent product however, beware as there are subtle issues such as alignment (pull to left or right) and very bumpy ride. I recommend that you invest in cars that do not come with defects and have higher resale value. Also, company needs to stand behind its products and learn from Toyotas recent recall.

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  Disappointed - Not for Everyone!!! - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By Alex - January 31 - 4:23 pm

  1) After first week, I felt the car pulling ...took to the dealer and they aligned it. 2nd wk still pulling...took back to the dealer and they found that the left front tire was defective and replaced for free... 2) After ~13K miles vibration upon applying brake...dealer stated that rotors needed to be "turned"...I was outside of 12K miles for what Hyundai calls "adjustments" and so had to pay 3) Dashboard cracked - KNOWN PROB WITH AZERAS- this was what was stated by dealer-My car is garaged and was so very disappointed/frustrated that yet another prob-replaced under warranty 4) Loud noise in Engine. Dlr ran diagnostics & checked front end.Could find nothing wrong...hoping nothing awaits me next

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  cheap, tinny and reliable - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By ben - January 20 - 8:46 pm

  We have had the Hyundai since new, it now has 111,000 miles on it and it is very reliable and has never let us down. However, the rest of the car is falling apart around the drivetrain. The rear door locks dont work, the windshield broke the first year we bought it and it eats tires! Not to mention it dents if you look at it funny. It has not been a bad car but I would not buy another Hyundai. The fit and finish makes you feel like you failed in life somewhere and you will soon be parking this thing in front of your used trailer