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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  none - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By AndyKorson - August 15 - 9:25 am

  My real only issue at this time is the low mileage I am receiving. Its all considered city, but it is only 20-23 miles per gallon which is so much lower than that average number listed on the sticker display.

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  99 Accent - 1999 Hyundai Accent
  By Allison - August 15 - 8:31 am

  I bought the car with 10300 kms on it for $4400 in Canada. The hub caps rusted very easily and needed to be replaced almost right away. The car is small and comfy, but if youre a tall person I dont recommend this car.

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  Over 2 Years and Still Doing Good - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By LLE - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Bought in early 2001, this car has been a good affordable ride. Good gas mileage, and everything has gone well....except Hyundais warranty isnt truely 10yr/100k miles...look in the manual, because some items in the car are only cover until 1,200 miles. I had to pay for a repair within the first month....idle sticking when starting! Outside of that there has been no problems though.....Good car Overall. Now have 25k miles on it.

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  Nice car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Haidong - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Nice car with its price and features

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  Kinda Bought it on Impulse - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By albragg - August 12 - 8:56 pm

  The dealer called up and said they had one in stock we could look at. (They couldnt keep them in stock in 2012.) We are glad we ended up buying it. Its been a good car. No big problems. We did put on a set of tires after about 28,000 miles. Its fun to drive and the visibility and headlights are pretty good. Its OK in snow, but its a lot better with all weather tires. We have a sunroof which came with the deal, but we seldom use it. Our grand kids think it has a good design (How about that!). The only thing I would change is the low profile tires. They look great, but I would just as soon have regular tires. Thats not a big deal though. It get about 30 miles per gallon, which is a little less than Hyundai predicted, but is fine with us. We are pleased with this car.

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  Good car, bad dealership - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By trkdrvr330c - August 8 - 2:13 pm

  I love the fuel mileage, I average 34 on rides to, and from work, and around 26 in town, unbelievable power for a 4 cylinder in a car this large. I wish I had bought the upscale, as the s/e is a little rough riding, and would like the extras on the limited. My only disappointment is the dealership the lied to me, telling me it had an upscale radio, me thinking the premium, my bad for not doing my homework. I do enjoy the bluetooth feature. Kent Dobbs failed to send money for referral to my friend, and numerous other lies. Love the car would recommend buying from another dealer.

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  Cute, but Costly - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Josie - August 8 - 8:16 am

  I really liked this car, but ever since i got it i had to do repairs! first things that was replaces was the trans! after 104000 the trans went. then now the converter is falling off. which sounds like somethings draggin if i go over 20 mph. i like this car cuz its cute and easy to drive but wayyyyy to costly

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  Great car regardless of cost - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By motosys - August 7 - 10:07 pm

  I got the touch and go package I really liked the Wheels and really wanted the proximity key. The Voice commands are the best of any that I have used and really like it and use it. The performance is acceptable and can get out of its own way. I went in to the dealership to look at the velositer and was very disappointed by the performance. The sales lady showed me the Elantra GT and it was much snappier and better. The fuel economy I get isnt as bad as others I have owned it for 9 months and 20000 miles I have seen in 45MPG in summer using summer gas and going down hill most of the way. most of the time combined would be 32-33MPG on summer gas on winter gas 27-31.

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  Excellent value - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Connecticut Yankee - August 7 - 3:29 pm

  Escellent on gas (30 mpg with automatic transmission), but not a "flashy car." Inside in basic, synthetic materials. Stereo is pretty good, however. Plenty of leg and head room for front seat drivers (Im 6 feet, 190lbs). Overall, a great value. OH- and dont think this car is slow! If you want to do 85 on the highway, this car will satisfy the speedy traveller.

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  A quantum leap from the old version - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Franc - August 5 - 11:03 am

  Traded-in 2002 model for new one. 2007 is so much better. Loaded model with everything except the third row seats (you get a really neat under floor storage system instead). Quiet inside with tons of comfort features. Good leather seats front and back. Not a barn burner re. performance but plenty of oomph for daily driving. Handling is sound and much improved over vagueness of previous model. Taking comfort in substantial safety features. MPG within EPA rating.