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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  Better than I thought - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By SkipperL - December 3 - 10:38 pm

  Really a nice looking car in and out. Jet black\ gray interior with moon roof with the touches of chrome and pin stripping being a nice addition. The SE rides very well and accelerates better than expected. It has no problem getting into traffic and the cab is very quiet. The upgraded stereo sounds very good. MPG is averaging 30+ so far around town. Lots of room and storage. Very similar to my maxed out 2001 VW Jetta GLX VR6, without the leather and V6 power. Cost, warranty and added MPG make up for both and I get to use reg unleaded gas now. Front\rear seating very roomy and comfortable. Trunk plenty big and fold down rear seats help as well. Very pleased with this purchase.

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  Nice car overall, but quality lacking - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By G-man3000 - December 3 - 9:23 pm

  I have owned my 2006 Elantra for 3 years now (approx 50,000 miles on it), and I am the original owner. Overall, the car is nice, comfortable and economical. However, quality has been a disappointment. When I first bought the car the headlights were aimed too low, and the steering wheel had a vibration at highway speeds. Several months later, the armrest cover material peeled off, and I noticed the passenger airbag light stays on when a fairly lighter adult passenger is seated in the seat. The weight sensor is a bit out of spec I believe. Most recently, the CD player broke. Overall, Id buy a Honda or Toyota...for a little more money, you get much better quality/resale value.

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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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  Ride and Road noise!? - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By oldboyscout - December 3 - 1:51 pm

  After 3000 miles am very happy with SE Except for Ride (any bump is transmitted to my a..) and Road Noise (sound of tires against asphalt ((no concrete here)) very high on freeways and state/local roads.) Wonder if stock tires on alloy 16 rims to blame? Sidebar: Ive been driving 50 years.

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  tucson - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Retired - December 3 - 8:46 am

  Style and features are excelent comfort is good but gas milage for the 6 cylinder is about 18 mph

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  C.D. Player does not advance - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By fcolby - December 2 - 4:16 pm

  The C.D. Player (six disk) does not advance. Apparently this is an endemic problem and has existed for some time. I have been asked to accept this as "it is built to factory specifications"!! I have also had troubles with the navigational system. Wow! for a43k you would think the C.D. would work.

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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.

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  Just got it. - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By Bill - December 1 - 12:56 pm

  Bought it as a tow vehicle for my RV. First tank of gas got me 38 MPG. Only has AC. Basic Accent Blue. Runs good at 65 mph. Pretty quiet. Tows well.

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  My new 2013 Santa Fe is a lemon - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By naenae1 - December 1 - 9:26 am

  The new Santa Fe 7 passenger was everything and more. We loved the vehicle that we purchased in April. It provided a great car and towing capacity which suited our families needs. I was in heaven until Nov. with less than 6000 miles. I am currently in discussions with Hyundai and the BBB since the car is considered a lemon. End of Oct my vehicles fuel injector went out. It has been in the shop for over 30 days because it had to brought in another 2 more times for seals on the fuel injection system that failed. Currently there is no repair date because the parts need to come from Korea and are on back order for a new rail for the fuel injection system. The car is not drivable now.

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  Crap on wheels - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ash - December 1 - 12:25 am

  This car has been to the shop once a week since I bought it. There is a squeak in the front wheel and they cant find the source. The visor broke, the power window broke, the manual shift broke, very poor quality. I will not own another Hyundai. I plan on trading this off as soon as the warranty is up.