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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  Great little car - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Crystal - September 29 - 2:24 pm

  This car has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. I have put 80,000 miles on it so far and I have had no major repairs. Only maintence type repairs have needed to be done. Very good car for the price.

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  Hyundai Santa Fe - an great buy - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By twludlow - September 28 - 7:16 pm

  Except for fuel economy the Hyundai Santa Fe is a best buy. Ive only driven it a bit over 1,000 miles but thats enough to know that this a fine handling SUV that, fully equipped, is as well appointed and comfortable as the BMW I owned previously. The fuel economy isnt as advertised however. The literature promises 16/17 in town and 22/23 on the highway. Sorry to say that is way off reality. Im getting more like 16. The dealer is ready to check it for necessary adjustments, so hopefully that will improve the situation. If so, Ill be a Hyundai fan for life.

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  A Little Disapointed - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Billy Lewis - September 27 - 5:56 pm

  After being high pressured by the dealership, we finally signed on the line. Now with 13000 miles, we are beginning to wonder if we made a mistake. at 10,000 miles we had to return to the dealership, because my wife (primary driver) got stranded. At first they said it was the transmission, next they said it was the throttle body. After a week in the shop we got it back, and every time we slowed down for a red light, the transmission would jump and slip, then the drivers seat quit working. We have never gotten better than 22 mpg on a 500 mile trip, and around 1+ in town!I am not a happy camper at all!

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  Excellent car, but bad fuel economy - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By MRP - September 26 - 12:29 am

  Bought the car new trying to same some money. The car comes loaded with a reasonable price comparing with a Toyota Corolla. But then I realized that my car was doing pretty bad for fuel economy inside the city (between 14-16 mpg). I went to the dealer 3 times and the last time I was able to speak with the regional maganger and his answer was... "you buy what buy"... there is nothing we can do to improve the mpg... my answer to him was... "you just lost a customer".

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  3rd Santa Fe. Second 2007 Santa Fe - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Marty Ce - September 25 - 11:41 am

  Try and make sure that all recalls are taken care of before you purchase. Also, even though there has not been a recall. Look into whether or not the fuel sending units have been replaced. In some states they will cause your car to fail inspection. Repair at a reputable shop is not terribly expensive. We have owned 5 Hyundais since 99 An Accent, Elantra, 06 Santa F and 2 07 Santa Fes. 1st one was totalled and I loved it so much I bought another. Not the cars fault it has high mileage (138k now) and needs repairs. But repairs have been things that a car with this mileage needs. ie wheel bearings, brakes, the afore mentioned fuel sending units. Engine still runs well. Transmission is tight. Heated seats and sun roof are tremendous.

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  What a gas - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Eric - September 18 - 6:53 pm

  I have had my Elantra for 11,000 miles and are very pleased with performance. Especially fuel. Dont understand some other complaints on Edmunds about gas mileage as I get 36-37 on the open road. Went to Vermont and did almost 500 miles and still had just under 1/4 tank left. I have had trouble with rotor noise that the dealer fixed but now its back.

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  Noisy engine - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Alex Povolotski - September 17 - 6:20 am

  Very good design, both outside and inside of the car. Feels a little on the smaller side inside, not too much room in the back but OK. Very good dashboard layout. Visibility is OK but Ive seen better. Ont the downside, the engine is too noisy to my taste. The power is sufficient for this small vehicle but engine noise is intrusive. Im more used to Buick and Lexus-type serenity.

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  Good little car - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Phil - September 16 - 1:17 pm

  I got my Accent in May 2006 as a replacement car after I wrecked my cheap (price-wise) Aveo and got about $4,000 insurance from it. I did not expect the interior quality and engine reliability to be so good for a cheap, 5 year old car with 85,000 miles on it. With the 5-speed manual, it is a fun, peppy little car to drive and it delivers exceptional gas mileage. I average from 34-38 mpg combined city and highway driving. I never have any problems with the car. The only thing I notice is the brakes are kind of lou and Ive even had them looked at, but it doesnt really bother me that much because they still stop the car well. I would recommend it over any 2001 Cavalier or the equivalent

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  Hyundai warranty is a joke!! - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By KK - September 16 - 5:43 am

  At 69,000 miles, the transmission broke. They wouldnt pay for it, because, changing the fluid twice was not enough. Since I didnt also have it flushed, they wont pay for the repair! AAMCO repaired it for $2600 and assured me it had nothing to do with flushing. It was a part that went bad and he see it all the time because its the kind of transmission they use. Also,I had the dealer check my brakes a couple of time and they said theyre ok. Then a few months later tell me the whole cylinders were broke and they wont pay for it because its neglect!! Hyundai does not honor their warranty! Ill never buy a Hyundai again!

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  The Sante Fe - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By bostnbruins - September 14 - 2:51 pm

  The 2.7 liter V-6 is underpowered, and not good for towing at all. This suv revs high when you want to accelerate quickly, like out of a toll both for example. The interior is compact and not roomy for taller people at all. And I am 57". The seats do not go back far enough for the driver and passenger....thats the Biggest complaint. The seats are very uncomfortable as well. Limited rear storage area. I had a 05 Chevy Silverado before the Sante Fe, I switched thinking our kids would have more room...big mistake. I live in snow country, and this is by far the worst vehicle I have ever driven in the snow. Who ever says 4x4 and all-wheel drive are the same are sadly mistaken. By American.