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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  Worst Car EVER!!!! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By stogz - January 18 - 8:27 pm

  I bought this car for my daughter in-law on October 31, 2009. The worst mistake ever. The salesman said this was such a good car. Had not owned it a month when check engine light came on. It needed a new head gasket, water pump, timing chain, valve cover gasket. Since all this work it developed an oil leak when it is drove on a trip, must be a high pressure leak. Hyundai dealership does not have good enough mechanics to figure it out. I will never buy another Hyundai. I will always stick with a Toyota or Honda.

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  Its an alright car - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kevin - January 10 - 10:24 pm

  I bought my Elantra used 1/22/07 with 16,000 on the clock. For the first year of owning car was really nice , but has come down with a plague of problems a clicking when only turning the wheel to the right, a clicking or tapping noise from the engine compartment, and a hesitation problem only when really cold out side till it warms up. Been to the deal for all of these issues more then once and still not fixed. It rather cold in Nj and a week ago the car interior has come down with some creaks and rattles as well. be sides these issues the car does drive and handle well. I may have just got a dud. Gf has an 04 tibby V6 and it has been amazing no issues at all. I would buy a Hyundai again tho

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  Pros and Cons but overall, decent value - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By FB - January 8 - 3:29 am

  I bought new in 1999 at only 84 miles. Now in 2010, Im at 149,000. 4-cylinder is decent during daily commute and actually smooth and quiet during highway cruising but dont even think about fast lane changes or quick acceleration on entrance ramps. Fuel pump and Tranny were problems during first 50,000 but warranty was in effect. Timing belt replaced after 80,000. Car groans over speed bumps, brakes have always squealed, and paint is chipping now, but other than regular oil changes every 3k, shes had no major repairs in her old age. Still averaging an impressive 28mpg highway today. Im finally getting another car but this ones lasted longer than I expected.

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  Lost its luster... - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pittsburgher - December 27 - 7:59 am

  I purchased this vehicle as a certified Pre-Owned product, and at first was VERY impressed with the comfort, power, and style of the car. One test drive and I was sold! The 2.0L turbo engine delivered oodles of acceleration, and would breathlessly accelerate to pass slow moving traffic. As time went on over the next 2 years of ownership, I still admired the style and power, but many small things started to bother me. The Latex-type paint on the steering wheel started to peel, the fabric on the seats started to bubble up and became loose, the A/C began ticking at low fan speeds, the shift paddles failed (and were replaced under warranty), the transmission began to shift roughly and was brought to the attention of my dealership 2 times. On both occasions, it was found to be "Operating as designed" even though it shuttered leaving their parking lot. The keyless entry was a nice touch, but the batteries in the fobs died early and often. Sometimes it would be very difficult to get the car to shift from P to D, and it would lurch forward quickly once you let off the brake. The gorgeous coupe-like styling was such a headache. I could never see around the blind-spots in front and back. Also, the car NEVER came close to EPA estimates for MPG. I averaged between 17-19 MPG on my daily commute - Pathetic for a car supposed to get 23 in the city and 25 combined. Add in 5 safety recalls over 2 years, and the decision to trade it away was simple.

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  airbag problem - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By sherwood brubaker - December 22 - 5:31 pm

  I have a GS with 2500 miles on it. I have the ABS/power package. It is a fun little car to drive, peppier than I thought it would be. I avg 31 mi/gal. The only problem is that the passenger air bag intermittently does not recognize the passenger. The dealership does not seem to be able to find the problem.

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  Beware - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By Davo - December 15 - 9:59 pm

  When I took the car in to the dealer at 2600 (yes 2600)miles to check an engine noise. I was told the engine was bad and would be replaced. They used a REMANUFACTURED engine short block. I talked to 4 levels of Hyundai consumer affairs and was told this is routine. So a used engine in my brand new car. The warranty isnt worth much if they use used parts.

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  air bag trouble - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By djwill03 - December 9 - 5:20 pm

  I owned a 2004 Tiburon and loved it. That was until I hit a deer head on and spun into a wall head on. Every air bag in the car went off except for the drivers side air bag. And I was the only one in the car!

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  Winter Beater - 1998 Hyundai Accent
  By EricXJR37 - December 6 - 7:03 am

  I bought this car at 284 000km , it has done its time , i paid 400$ only as a winter car. I have a RWD 320hp car in the summer , but i really like driving the Accent , theres no performance to it really , i have it as a 5spd manual and i really love it , it heats quick , handles corners well , so overall for a 1998 and the kms thats on it it doesnt burn oil and its tough.

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  Not aging gracefully - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By ecodrive - December 3 - 2:40 pm

  I bought this Elantra due to excellent reviews and perceived quality. You certainly get a lot of car for the money. Unfortunately my post purchase experience has been somewhat disappointing. Interior materials are cheap and are showing premature wear. Upholstery is especially poor. One recall on fuel pump. LR window track fell off, oil leak. Engine is very noisy when pushed and has a very dated design...still has a timing belt to be replaced. Decent drive but you do indeed get what you pay for...

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  Bad car - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By shadow - December 1 - 1:51 pm

  This car is very uncomfortable. I bought car new and tires were bad from the start. Brought the car back to dealer several times to get different tires, and never got anywhere. Had to buy new tires myself. Then 2 sensors went out at 30,000 miles and had to go back twice. Back hatchback door wont close properly and have to spray wd-40 on that to get to close. Now brakes and rotors are totally warped and that isnt covered. The 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty is a joke. They find ways to tell you that it is "regular maintenance" so you have to pay. Getting it home tonight and putting a for sale sign in it....Very unhappy with car. Runs like crap and air is gone. 45,000 miles on it now.