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:

• 

  Bad electrical system - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By hs - September 28 - 7:36 pm

  Started having electrical problems within four months. Battery completely dicharges if vehicle is not used for 72 hours. Dealership has replaced battery numerous times and they can not figure out the problem. Changecd the radio/CD head unit for malfunction.Replaced the central console for malfunction. Seats are too small and stiff. Front passenger seat has very few adjustments. Air conditioning is not adequate for hot weather particularly when using in auto mode. CD functions are limited. CD does not change automatically from one disc to the next. The data stored in the memory, like phone numbers etc., are lost if you disconect the battery.

• 

  Keep Improving - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Keep Improving - September 20 - 12:30 pm

  Car is well equipped for money compared to other car companies but the fabric on seats has poor durability and the noise from road is loud in hatchback model unless you are on very good pavement. Traction on snow wasnt as good as equally equipped front drive cars from other car companies Ive driven.

• 

  Over-rated - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Stapleford - September 15 - 6:45 pm

  My 08 has several issues, and all seem common with my fellow owner. Loose molding strips, a failed oxygen sensor, failed tire pressure lights. The warranty is attractive, but read the small print, I was disappointed with a transmission issue. This car looks nice but is sluggish around 30- 40mph. It really should not be compared to a Accord or Camry,, unless of course you can measure intangible issues with the cost savings. It does not have the re-sale value associated with Japanese vehicles.

• 

  car - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By monkpank_83 - September 14 - 11:06 pm

  well ive had this car for 3 1/2 years and i had nothing but problems with it right know the car is in the shop getting the trancemition worked on again the head lights i have to replace them evrey 2 to 3 months other than having good power and in my own opinion i think that, thats the only thing good with the car, clutch has gone out on me 2 time already

• 

  stuck - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Dennis Aron - September 14 - 5:30 am

  Get a good. Dealer

• 

  New Transmission at 87,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By unhappysonataowner - September 4 - 12:18 pm

  This is the first Hyundai I have owned. It is an 02 w/87,000 miles. It needs a entire new transmission, which the dealer said would cost $2800. I have owned Ford, Chrysler and Jeep vehicle and never had a problem of this magnitude. The ford even has 223,00o miles. When I took it to the dealer the first time the check engine light came on AutoZOne told me it was a Shift Control Solenoid code.

• 

  Gas Mileage is terrible - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Shawn Rutherford - August 16 - 4:23 am

  I have owned 3 Hyundais and always buy from the same dealership. But the Tucson is the biggest rip off. The gas mileage is terrible. Please beware before buying if you care about gas mileage. It was top on my list and I got stuck with a car that costs an arm and a leg.

• 

  2008 veracruz - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By SG - August 14 - 12:16 pm

  overall its a decent vehicle; however it developed multiple rattles which the dealer can never seem to find. Not very comfortable driving position for tall drivers. I do like the entertainment system w/dvd, however headphones are flimsy & can easily break..both of ours did...the front seats could be more comfortable.Reason we purchased is it gave us more features for less money than the cx9 which we strongly considered. Those rattles take all the joy out when driving the car, which to me is a sign of workmanship

• 

  Diappointed - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chiquita Gallion - August 13 - 3:21 pm

  From the time I drive my sonata off the lot the air has never worked properly and when I go to the dealer to have them look at it they want to charge me, Nice I bought it that way why should I have to pay. Every time I touch something it breaks. (sun visor broke after 1 week). My mother-in-law has one and when it rains she was getting soaked. My check engine light came on for two days.

• 

  Broken door handle, door lock, fuel cap and counting.. - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By raka1212 - August 12 - 9:54 pm

  I was excited initially with the value of the car but after four years I am now wondering. First problem I had was with engine light code 442, went to dealer two times but they keep claiming it is a loose fuel cap issue. I am making sure the cap is tight after every fill and even changed cap with new oem cap still this issue is persistent. Then I had one remote door lock issue which was fixed with a new lock. Now I have one broken door handle. When I searched about door handle, it was surprised to know that it is a known issue with this car as the door handles are made of cheap plastic not metal like other car and easily breaks. Not sure if I will consider Hyundai brand again.