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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  BAD CHOICE - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By P.Deleewerk - December 30 - 9:03 am

  Bought this car for fuel economy. Did not get it. 14 local and 16 highway, if Im lucky. No pickup whatsoever. Dealer took it in 4 times and claims there is nothing wrong with it. If this is running as they say it should, dont waste your money. You can get a much larger, better built vehicle and get the same or better mileage out of it. I am so sorry I bought this vehicle

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  warranty fail - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Anna - December 18 - 8:08 am

  I was in love with my car. I took out extended warranty, bumper to bumper warranty(inside and out). I convinced 12 of my family and friends to buy a Hyundai. I serviced my car religiously. Warranty ran out at 100,000 miles and at 110,000 I now need a new transmission. Paint starting peeling at 108,000 headlights fogged over at 102,000. If it werent for so many Hyundai transmission problems I would look for a new transmission. Now that Ive read about all the other people that have had the same thing, why bother.

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  08 Accent GS AT - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By Michael34 - December 4 - 8:52 pm

  I bought this car because it was very inexpensive. I put 4500 miles on it so far and discovered it has a large blind spot and the drivers seat is uncomfortable on long trips. I do get pretty good gas millage but other compact cars do better. The Chevy cobalt, Toyota corolla, and Ford focus all do a little better. I would not recommend buying this car unless it is a last resort.

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  pulling issue - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By eirehatfield - December 1 - 7:37 am

  In June of 2011 I purchased a sonata with 40 miles on it. since day 1 it has had a pulling issue. Struts have been replaced, camber bolt kit has been tried. New tires settle the pull issue mostly but still has problems and does not drive straight. Key cylinder has been replaced due to key sticking. Gas gauge has been replaced because it showed I always needed gas, even when i just fueled up. I have argues the pulling issue with dealearship since day 1. I am being told there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. All my family and mech. friends have driven this car with the same feelings as mine. Something is wrong!! It definetly does not drive straight. Horrible customer service.

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  Dont believe the hype! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By nottagain - November 19 - 10:00 am

  Hyundai does not stand behind what they make. The 100k warranty is a joke. Talk about a noisy ride and a rattle box! They are no Toyota. I am waiting for the electrical problems to start. Stay away from Keffer Hyundai of Charlotte!

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  I shouldve listened to my father - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By mrskenny - November 18 - 11:14 pm

  Ive had problems with my Veloster after hitting the 25,000 miles range. I had to replace my tires, twice, and after complaining to consumer affairs, I was sent a reply email basically telling me nothing is their fault. The Veloster does not come with a spare so I had to call road side assistance. Road Side assistance told me to go to the nearest Hyundai dealership....it was Sunday, theyre closed. So, basically, Hyundai uses really bad tire manufacturers and then claims to have no sort of responsibilities for the types of tires they put on your car. The "touch screen" screen stopped working, even after having a recall and getting it fixed. I will never again purchase a Hyundai!!!

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  First Time Buyer - Worst Purchase Ever!!! - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By wendeez - November 5 - 9:19 pm

  Where do I even begin... Bought my Veloster June 2012 and have put about 22,000 miles on it since then. 19 days after having the vehicle I was going down a major highway when my sunroof shattered on me. Glass EVERYWHERE! Dealership claimed that it was my fault but "since I am a first time buyer they would pick up on the cost". Dealership had my car for 14 days and I had to battle with them to get a renal car. Since then I have had it in the shop to replace the Climate Control Unit and the third time fixing the touch screen radio unit. Bought this car because I thought it would be reliable, great gas mileage, and fun to drive.... Boy was I wrong on that! Waiting for Lemon Law to take it away!

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  Hyundai - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mkrentzin - November 4 - 12:46 pm

  Engine light kept coming on. Returned to dealer 6 times. Dealer kept saying they found the problem. Within two weeks engine light came on again. Once would not start at all. Then the oil light started to come on and finally it started to heat up. All this with 22000 miles. Finally the dealer admitted they could not repair the car and they had problems with the four - cylindar engine.

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  I WILL NEVER BUY HYUNDAI AGAIN!!!!! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By NEVER AGAIN!!!!!! - November 1 - 7:50 pm

  Having previously owned a 2003 Santa Fe, when the new 2007 came out I had to have one. It was the biggest mistake I have ever made. Hyundai Motor America has been completely uncooperative in regards to warranty issues. Hyundai may offer a great warranty but dont be fooled. I was sold a lemon! The car has been in the shop EIGHT times since we bought it nine months ago. The car had a faulty engine coil, misfiring in the 5th cylinder (4 times), entire fuel system malfunction, improperly installed computer software and finally two bad oxygen sensors. We are so fed up that we are now selling the 2003 because we just need to cut all ties with Hyundai. Buyer beware!

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  Hyundai Warranty and Brake Quality - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By John Got Beat - October 8 - 8:56 am

  I have a 2002 Santa Fe GlS with less than 30,000 miles and had to get 3 brake jobs and 4 new rotors for the SUV. Hyundai says it is the way I drive but my Toyota Highlander is driven more, gets better gas milage and pick up and has no issue with its brakes. Each change is $700 to $1200 dollars. Add that to the price of the car every 9,000 miles and see if you are happy. My engine is now sounding as if the lifters are going which they can not hear untill the warranty is over. My radio display is gone, Just missed warranty! Nothing was covered by the "warranty" which they tell you to read the fine print! GOODBY HYUNDAI AND WELCOME BACK TOYOTA!!!!!! AT LEAST THEY HAVE PROVEN QUALITY.