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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  Lots of Extras however, they are cheap - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By carlweber - December 15 - 5:30 pm

  At 101K miles I had the following problems: The ignition failed on the care at 70k I had that replaced. The radio failed. The left side window had to be replaced. My keyless entry paid rusted out. They said it fell in the water. Other then that it has been normal stuff.

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  great car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By jmk - December 15 - 10:24 am

  had this car for 2 years, 3 trips to florida about 4M miles per trip never had a problem, great in very cold winter starts, excellent running car, would buy another in a heart beat

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  A Jag for HALF - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Brock Reiss - December 15 - 2:00 am

  Jag S claims a 5.3 second 0-60 vs. a XG350 0-60 of 7.7 seconds. Being an avid driver I have done the unoffical test myself and the Jag will beat the XG but by less than 1 second... $47,096 vs. $24,000 for similar performance and comfort is hideous. I found the Jag to be tighter in turns and grip the corners better but the ground clearance is 20% less so suspension is not the only factor. I liked the styling of the XG and was happy with the materials inside. Since the warrany is so comprehensive the risk is minimal. I remember the Toyotas of the 70s retaining their value...until everone woke up...WAKE UP!!!

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  well built- low cost auto - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By silverflash - December 14 - 4:27 pm

  Just bought the car last week to use as my primary commute car. So far love it. Got 39mpgs!!!!! Now that was all highway at 55 (break in speeds) but still rocks! got a sweet deal on it, and it is built like a tank! much better than my 2006 civic i owned, that things metal was like a tin can! car is solid, drives well, peppy enough as I have the manual and a gas-sipper! It is quite cute as well and feels great even with me being 61 tall. Looking forward to 100,000+ miles on this baby! With gas going back up, this will be a good bet. warranty, cost, mileage, build quality- hyundai made this one right!

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  love it - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By chilli0007 - December 14 - 3:33 pm

  I have mine for over 5 years and still love driving it. Im constantly getting compliments on it. The car is so much fun to drive. The interior is very well laid out and comfortable. The materials are good. Trunk/hatch is huge. No reliability issues even with it being supercharged for over 4 years. The service at Quality Hyundai is great. I had the clutch replaced and no problems since. A few other problems like the locks and window motor going that was fixed under warranty. I still enjoy it very much and would buy one again.

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  Great Car - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By pstl - December 14 - 1:49 pm

  Never thought I would own a Hyundai. This car is well built and is a pleasure to drive. Gas mileage is fairly good for a V8 producing 385 HP. Best bang for the buck.

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  engine knock and random codes - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By bigal78 - December 14 - 1:52 am

  Bought 2013 in January 2014. One week later heard knocking in the engine, took it to dealer was told that the GDI engines make this noise, normal. 2 weeks later took it back as knocking is not normal and there has been numerous reported engine failures with same noise, vehicle throws random emission codes which there is a tsb for but not all dealers know this so I have to put up with a defective SF. I loved it at first but that ended within 3 weeks. I think the 6 cylinders are more reliable than the 4s.

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  Everything and more - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bob - December 12 - 8:00 pm

  When I decided on a Sonata it was after many hours of research and test drives. Ive had the Sonata for a couple of months now and have been more than happy. My gas mileage has been better than the EPA (about 26/34) and it has had plenty of power when Ive needed it. Im not going to win many races but it gets the job done in every day traffic. Im 64", and 250lbs. and the Sonata has been plenty big and very comfortable to drive in the city and long trips (Ive taken two). The interior is well designed and well laid out and the 2009 Sonata has a seat thats about and inch longer than the previous year, and that has made a massive difference in overall comfort.

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  Junk Vehicle - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Harvey Gosser - December 12 - 1:42 pm

  purchase used with 29000 miles. Vibration at 45 miles per hour. dealer adjusted transmission. still vibrates shakes. Door locks quit, dealer install new lock. Now valves are clattering at cold start, left overnight at dealer twice so they could hear noise. Still clattering, must return to dealer again to try & find out problem. Obviously the clattering is metal to metal until oil gets to the valves. Feel every single bump in road like a truck. Car now has 34000 miles & I am real worried it will continue to fall apart. wish i had spent a little more & got toyota or honda. Compare to a yugo. never ever consider buying this car. i read many reviews but most only owner for about a year. beware.

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  Big Red - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By Big Red - December 12 - 12:34 pm

  Difficulty entering and exiting for those with mobility issues due to the high rise of door inside door seals.