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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  A few problems - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mike - June 8 - 10:07 am

  Leased in 2007 for two years. Returned in June 2009. Needed new tires and brakes by 22,703 - in less than two years! Car had nice acceleration and was a smooth ride. The car had a nice look. However, the quality of the tires it came with and brake problems have soured me on the Hyundai brand. And, since my replacement tires werent matched to the original brand, Hyundai is charging me a second time for two tires. Im sure its standard lease policy, but it feels wrong. Ill probably shop for another brand and avoid Hyundai all together since I anticipate having problems with any of their cars within only two years of purchase.

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  Very disappointing! - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By nattygirl - June 7 - 5:46 am

  I bought the Sonata for its snazzy looks, technology and the promise of good gas mileage. Other than its looks, its been a disappointment. The ride is bad - I feel every bump in the road. The gas mileage is not what was promised. Im only getting an average of 22-23 mpg. overall. And, its performance in snow was so poor the first winter I had it that I ditched all 4 tires and bought new ones with the promise of improvement. The 2nd year wasnt much better. Granted, there was alot of snow in Rhode Island this year, but - hey - it performed way worse than my old 1999 Camry in snow! Uncharacteristically, I will probably be unloading it way sooner than usual or as planned.

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  Hatchback Heaven - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By maddelin711 - June 4 - 8:14 am

  Bought the car with 54,000 miles and had no problems with it until it hit about 82,000 miles and the reverse drum went out causing the transmission to need replacing. I figured it was worth it for $1300 because I really had no other problems with the car and thought a new tran would last. Now that Ive had the new tran its driving great. I love the car it handles well and as long as you keep up with oil changes it will do fine. It does have a very slow acceleration off the line, but what do you expect right? it handles well and Im very surprised that it still performs in the winter. I have heard from passengers that sitting in the passenger seat the car seems to be flying, but its not!

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  Was basically told this is a disposable car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By upsidedown2011 - June 2 - 6:47 am

  2 yr old lease well maintained...had problems throughout lease with different check engine lights ...never found cause.eventually would go off by themselves. Car hits 130,000 miles engine shuts off, Im told its seized and has electrical issues. 8-12k in repairs.contacted 3 dealerships & customers service. Was basically told by customer service and regional that car is disposable. They provided me a car with a 100,000 mile warranty & they are off the hook. Will not even consider help w/ repairs or the requested assistance or incentive to buy another Hyundai .This was my 6th Hyundai + I recommended at least 6 other people to buy hyundais..NEVER AGAIN ....dont buy Hyundai they dont care

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  I should have bought a Toyota/Honda - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sal - May 31 - 4:43 am

  It would be a really nice car if not for the road noise which is terrible. I have a ghost in my car that appears at 60-65 mph (sounds like your blowing in an empty bottle). The dealer cant fix it. It is so annoying that I look forward to traffic so that I wont have the "Howl". The best advice I can give is: "you get what you pay for". Beware

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  Tin Can Feel - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By ScottNYC - May 30 - 1:09 am

  This car has been reliable, but it has one of the noisiest suspensions I have ever encountered. Each bump in the road is met with a crash and a bang. Edmunds high rating for this can only be explained by an obsession with foreign cars.... Disappointing fuel economy. I thought Korean cars were fuel efficient!

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  Do NOT buy or patronize this Product - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Shana - May 27 - 12:22 pm

  Its not good to say that I was cheap because I just happen to get my moneys worth paying less which is 10,000 to 15,000 dollars compared to Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey. We bought and wasted 31,000 dollars for this PIECE OF JUNK. After sales service is WORST. They always advertise how great their warranty is, but, its just an advertisement. Auto sliding doors are always jammed. Instrumentation panel is not reliable. Cruise control does not work properly. Sharp edge on the steering wheel.

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  My Last Hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By fernellav - May 25 - 8:17 am

  Bought a 2011 on 01/15/2011 started experiencing transmission prob late 2011, Jan 2012 vehicle no longer wants to go into park or reverse need to turn off and turn on. only driver and 8000 miles. Customer service is non-existent everyone bouncing me around cannot provide me with a loaner to get around my sales rep tells me he is no mechanic the dealer where bought sends me to another dealer really? I traded it and got me an escape trust this works better at least I know their customer service is way better having had a ford before

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  Entourage - 2008 Hyundai Entourage
  By Hyundai?? - May 22 - 10:45 am

  I find the Van to be acceptable for the price and features. Nothing fancy to it. Good enough for my family of 5.

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  Beware of quirky problems in new car - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By ccoady - May 14 - 7:36 am

  Loved the look and feel of this car but have had serious problems for a new car. First week TPMS light went on and had to be reset by dealer,within one month quirky electrical problems, keyless entry would not work, passenger seat heater not operating. Dealer had to remove dash to get to problem. Just this evening with only 13000 I had to have the car TOWED to the dealer, the transmission seems to have gone, with my foot to the floor the car could only go 15 MPH and could not get up my slightly included driveway. Too much headache for a new car