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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  Nothing but problems - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By pinache2 - January 8 - 11:15 pm

  On one hand, I have made this little car work hard. This car has driven from Florida to California and halfway back pulling full 5x8 Uhaul trailers. It has driven from Northern to Southern California and back. On the other hand, I have had this car since 35k. In that time I have replaced the power steering pump 6 times. I have replaced everything else power steering-related at least twice. I have replaced many aspects of the exhaust system, the wheel bearings, anything and everything brakes including the brake lines, most fuses, the controls for the locks and windows, and more. I continue to average a few thousand every year in repairs since I bought this car.

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  nice ride II - 2013 Hyundai Genesis
  By ytown - January 4 - 8:24 pm

  Updating my previous review from August 2013, now have 27k miles on the car. Still have the same opinions as before, it could use a little better handling and maybe brakes that werent quite as soft, but overall an excellent car. I have had no problems with the car and only have done oil changes and tire rotations, so very low cost to own. I actually average about 23 miles per gallon, but most of my driving is highway. If you can put aside the the lack of name brand, this is an excellent car for the money.

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  Girlfriends Car and I Want to Kill It - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By kobiewan - December 30 - 7:43 pm

  Ok this car was bought by my girlfriend in January 2014. Well, from the start it drove great. The handling was good. The transmission was smooth shifting, and it had great gas mileage. Well... February we had issues. Rotors are going, oil control valve had to be cleaned, ecu was replaced along with all coils and spark plugs. We now have a possible head gasket issue. The engine leaks oil like mad through the timing belt case, and we are also losing coolant at a fast rate. Now the engine is misfiring again, and with all the other issues, I am not sure if the car is worth keeping. It is sad that more throw away cars are being built. My 99 Honda Accord is still going strong at 170k miles. Sad

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  2015 Hyundai Genesis w/ Ultimate Package - 2015 Hyundai Genesis
  By djc2015 - December 29 - 6:04 pm

  Before purchasing my 2015 Hyundai Genesis with ultimate package I did extensive research and took several test drives including one in which the dealer gave me the opportunity to keep the vehicle overnight. I read dozens of reviews and every last one praised the interior luxury including the real matt wood, aluminum trim, extremely comfortable soft leather 12 way power drivers including thigh extension, effectively heated and cooled , heated steering wheel, 9.2 inch infotainment touch screen with manual controls for those who prefer them. I have no idea what vehicle was being reviewed as subsequent Edmonds reviews praise the Genesis as an exceptional value.

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  Never Thought Id Own A Hyundai - 2012 Hyundai Accent
  By larryw1978 - December 20 - 2:34 pm

  I bought my Hyundai Accent Pre-Owned. The color got my attention. The test drive stole my hear! I wanted something affordable and easy on gas - was reluctant at first because I am big guy and didnt to drive something I could barely fit in! Wasnt the problem at all. I drive quiet a bit in Houston daily, so traffic traffic traffic, so I guess getting 31 mpg is good for me - fill up roughly every 4 days and the most it has cost $24.00. I love how it handles and everything it offers. My only complaint is how low it is to the ground - the rear view mirror is level with almost everyones head lights - people here are to cheap to repair headlights a lot drive with brites on - annoying!

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  just purchased - 2015 Hyundai Elantra
  By mrsbarr0802 - December 15 - 6:18 am

  My husband and I bought two new Hyundais this past Saturday we purchased a 2014 accent and a 2015 elantra se I am driving the elantra so far I love the way it handles the seats are comfortable, as far as head room it seems to be plenty. It is a great fit for three children in the back or will seat or two adults comfortably with plenty of leg room all the way around. The radio sounds great from the speakers there is plenty of storage also all the way around the overall style of the elantra is great inside and out. One thing I have noticed that I dont like is all the road noise inside the cabin at highway speeds almost as if I have the Windows down. We can also feel and hear every bump

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  Bought two and they are a great value! - 2012 Hyundai Accent
  By xmix - December 11 - 12:03 pm

  So my husband and daughter were in college. They needed dependable transportation with great gas mileage. She iives in snow country. We live in city. Both have over 50k on them and run great. We bought these because of the gas savings and warranty. For those things they hit the mark. The road traction is great in the snow. Neither car has needed repair. Just tires at 50k.

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  Great car for the money - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By waxahachiejoe - December 9 - 10:35 am

  I am a leasing agent for a leasing company and get to drive every kind of car out there. I recently leased a used Elantra a client of mine traded in. This is no Mercedes, but its the nicest car Ive driven for the money. The styling is great, has lots of power for a small 4cyl car, and gets great gas mileage. I regularly average 33 overall. I have to seriously abuse this car to get under 30 mpg. The handling is so-so and it tends to dart from one side of the road to the other if Im trying to eat and drive with my knees.

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  Awesome 1st car! - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
  By avi8r - December 8 - 9:24 am

  This was my first car that I ever owned. I can remember seeing it sitting in the used car lot while going to high school. I loved the way it looked and at the time(2001) it was only 2 years old(99). After graduating I went and looked at it. Has 8,000 miles on it and I bought it. Family was hesitant since it was a Hyundai. I didnt car. It was a fantastic car to go back and forth to school every week. Round trip was 400 miles a week. Traded it on a new 04 Elantra that was left over in 05. The 99 NEVER gave me a problem and was bullet proof. As was my 04 Elantra until I traded it for a 06 Sonata that was new. Still drive the 06 Sonata. Love Hyundais!

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  wouldnt want anything else - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By drvn2mddnss - December 5 - 12:33 pm

  bought mine used in 2010 it had 175,000 miles on it. i change the oil every 3k it now sits at 221,200 miles and is still going strong, ive only had to replace both the front drive axles at around 75 bucks a piece and the transmission sensors that were a little salty at around 180.00 for both. but still is an awesome running vehicle i use it to commute to work. looking at a 2004 model 5 speed now to upgrade. i would recommend this car to anyone.