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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  Terrible Purchase - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By leafsrule - August 9 - 1:39 pm

  I have owned this car for 1100 kms and so far the two front seats needed to be repaired as they came lose and wobbled. But my biggest problem is the car has no heat in the rear vents. An issue for car owners in Canada! Took it to the dealership and they said it was a design issue and nothing they could do? So, I am stuck with a car that doesnt heat the back-half of the car. Actually it blows cold air, which makes it worse. The car looks great, but stay away from this one, looks are deceiving.

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  Trade in values for hyundai - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By danpatt2 - August 8 - 6:01 pm

  I can see why Hyundai now has a trade in assurance program so you can get some value for ther cars. I bought a 2010 genesis 3.8 fully loaded with navagational for $30,000. They still sell 2011 and 2012 for around the same price. Bottom line, dont expect much for your trade. My 2010 was show room condition with only 5,250 miles when I traded it in, after fighting for about a hour, I recieved 21,000 for my trade in. This car performed well, great power, so so handing, was totally un-comfortable on the open roads. With all the commertials from Hyundai saying they where #1 in customer satisfaction, I would never buy anoyher Hyundai again. unfortunatley both my sons bought Hyundai, never ag

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  Dont go 100k or get in a crash - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By jnorlund - August 4 - 5:46 pm

  We bought this as a inexpensive first new car. Overall, I had thought it was ok...until we owned it a while. MPG was about 27/29. Prior to this year we had to repair the door handle, the key broke off in the trunk, brakes twice and engine stabilizers once (regular maint). Then, as soon as we got to 108k, the tranny started to act up. $350 later we found out an overdrive part had broken off inside and demolished it. Cost to repair $2500. Guy said he had to do the same thing to his daughters 01 last year. So, if you think this car will go 100k+ or more than 5-7 years without major problems, think again. I know I will before considering Hyundai.

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  Good for few years if your a new driver - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By boulevard226 - July 31 - 3:58 pm

  I was a fairly new driver when I got mine, and this just may not be the car for me, but I do not like it. I had a nice Chevy Cavalier before this car and it was amazing so maybe I am comparing them unfairly. The engine struggles to accelerate. The dash is beyond plain and boring. The Sony Explode system I installed makes the car vibrate like crazy. I am tall and it limits my passengers cause if the seat is all the way back, I lose the seat behind me. All and all I only recommend this car as a starter for a youngster. Only thing good about this car is the MPG of about 30. Cant wait to get my 2010 Chevy Silverado! Think American.

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  Look for something else!!! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Dayna - July 24 - 1:46 pm

  I bought this vehicle almost totally based on looks then the problems started i put a new transmission in it at 22,000 KM then i got it towed to Saskatoon cause the speedometer was bouncing up and down and the check engine light came on got it there and they said nothing was wrong then the found that the brain was not working they replaced that then the sunroof started to leak so they replaced that after they did that it leaked worse now they say there is nothing they can do to fix it then i broke down on my way to Edmonton the fuel control throttle went on it and they had it for about a week to fix that i have had nothing but problems i talked to Hyundai Canada and they wont do anything!!

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  Hyundai Accent = Lemon - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By JoJoF8c - July 21 - 8:06 pm

  This was my 1st new car I bought in hopes it was a reliable car and wouldnt break down cuz its new. Since buying it, I have put in $5000 in just repairs. The dealer refuses to listen to me, cause Im a girl & car was in a cosmetic accident a yr after buying it. Exterior of car was damaged only, but a year later it just refused to start and continues to have the same problem. Plus the radiator, water reservoir, thermostat all went out and now it wont stop overheating and it gives no notice that it is overheating, it just shuts off. In the last 2 weeks I have spent $2000 on it & been to mechanic 4 x. Never buy a hyundai again, not a quality car.

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  shoot this car - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By hundai azera - July 21 - 6:17 pm

  I loved this car for the first two months. Since then I have had nothing but problems. So many rattles and clicking noises. I hate this car now. I have had it in the shop so many times I have lost count. I am sick and tired of the dealership telling me the car is fixed and then driving it home, the same noise occurs. I am ready to shoot it and put it and me out of misery.

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  Engine Shaking and Vibrating - Becareful..! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By andress360 - July 21 - 4:24 am

  I bought a my first Hyundai ever.....2013 Sonata 2.4 GLS with 9,700 miles, after a couple days (( 85 miles )) I noticed and Shaking, Vibrating sensation that comes from the engine. This is very irritating and disturbing since Hyundai is suppose to be coming up with better quality, sad to say but this gives me much to worry about since it can only get worse as I add miles to the car. I never had this issue with cars., so Ill be taking back to the dealer for service. After finding about this issue I wish I would have bought from Toyota, or Nissan. Very discouraging. If you do decide to buy this car make sure that you get their Top Service Warranty.

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  Great little car - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By Dodger - July 19 - 6:19 pm

  I have had my Accent for over a year now, I bought it when gas was near $5.00 a gallon. The car is great for running around town in but not so good on the freeway, I am getting 26 and 32 MPG. I still like the car but it has some flaws. The 5 speed is a must but the clutch really takes some time getting use to, the plastics of the interior are the worst I have ever seen, scratch very easily, the ride is quite and comfortable but you do feel most of the bumps and holes in the road. Reliability has been outstanding so far and still have no rattles. If your on a budget or looking for a cheep 2nd car then this is a good choice.

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  Mix bag - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sinai - July 17 - 6:50 pm

  I bought this car almost three years ago.First owner was an old guy, so I think he didnt drive it too harsh. during past three years I had to change the whole Starter package, whole AC compressor and accessories, front struts, windshield wipers water pump ( its broken again) and replaced the battery twice. CD player may work only occasionally and can not read half of the tracks for no good reason. I changed the front shock absorbers, and it just got a little better for a while,, its just driving me crazy that how noisy and uncomfortable the car is over small bumps. I took care of the car really good and still its not reliable. when I bought the car it had 93000 miles on it and now its ~ 117000. thats stupid,,, I wont ever but any Hyundai products and will not recommend it to anybody.