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:

• 

  Nice Car - But Quality / Reliability Disappoints - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By scbob1 - October 6 - 8:58 pm

  I want to really like my Genesis but it is not happening. It has many good things going for it - nice stereo, great gas mileage, peppy engine, nice ride. The down side is the quality and reliability disappoints. The windshield wiper blades went bad within14 months. The windshield wipers then failed and had to be replaced. It has a sturctural / noise issue with the unidbody which took Hyundai two years to find. Stuff that should not happen. I now notice the resale is not too hot so I guess I am stuck with it. Wish I had purchased an established brand llike Toyota or Honda while someone else worked out Hyundai start up problems. If the problems would go away, I could love it again.

• 

  62% decrease in value in 1 months!!!! - 2013 Hyundai Genesis
  By gwhite4075 - October 6 - 2:10 pm

  I purchased my Hyundai Genesis from Hyundai of Asheville, NC in Sept. 2013. By the time the dealer made their "add ons" and taxes, I paid a little over $50,000 for this vehicle. It rides and drives like a dream! Since the last part of 2013, I have become disabled by a neurological disorder that came on suddenly. It is becoming harder and harder for me to get in and out of the Genesis because it is low to the ground. My solution would be to trade the Genesis for a Santa Fe Limited, which would make it easier for me to get in and out. I found out that I was horribly upside down due to the Genesis depreciating 62% in 11 months! Stay away from this vehicle!!

• 

  The best car if you take Care of it - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By kaylabandy - October 5 - 10:28 pm

  My hyundai belonged to my dad before he gave it to me. He bought it new and it has never had any major issues. Just did regular maintenance. The only thing I dont like is the headlights dont seem To be very bright! But other than that I love the car and its always been really reliable. Just watch out for the timing belt, because of the interference engine. Dont replace it late. Other than that the car is amazing and has never failed me. Already has 190000 miles on it and runs beautifully.

• 

  Excellent choice... - 2014 Hyundai Azera
  By woodsfortysix - September 28 - 6:28 pm

  Previously had a 2009 Genesis 4.6 - great car but rear wheel drive was a problem for Indiana winters. After four years, switch to another brand auto, but neither the car or the service was what I had with Hyundai. The Azera is the only front-wheel drive from Hyundai that is in this class. Extremely comfortable, fun to drive, great features, and extremely good value. This is our fourth Hyundai, and their customer service is equal to or better that what I experienced with my three BMWs, one Infiniti, and one Acura - I have absolutely no reason to go to another brand.

• 

  I will never buy Hyundai again!!! - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By katm05 - September 25 - 1:24 pm

  Im so disappointed in my purchase of my 2013 Elantra. I had Volkswagans before and I loved them but was tired of dropping money after they hit about 100k and thought let me buy a "reliable" and "responsible" car. The only 2 pros I have are the outside appearance I still like and the gas mileage. The cons. I have 22k miles on this car and it hasnt been running too good. I get my oil changes and dont drive a long commute at all. It been running bad lately so thinking its such a new car and their "amazing" warranty everything should be covered. They are telling me I need to replace the PCV valve already and that is why my car got stuck at 40 mph on the freeway. and its not covered.

• 

  best car I ever had - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By mbarwick1 - September 25 - 5:38 am

  Brought July 2004 have how done 240,000 km always been reliable and very cheep to run just changed normal thing tires,brakes,radiator and clutch. I would buy another Elantra when I can afford it.

• 

  My second Genesis - 2015 Hyundai Genesis
  By genesis15 - September 24 - 2:08 pm

  I had a 2009 Genesis 4.6, then anEquus 2011 Signature, and have just gotten a 2015 Genesis 3.8 RWD, tech package. So far it is a great car the one thing I do not like in this car is that the drivers side seat belt connector is below the height of the seat and therefore neccitates rubbing the side of my hand against the console to secure the belt. This being done repeatedly has caused an irritation on the knuckle of the 5th digit. Would like to know if there is some way to extend the connector. Even the 2014 has theheight higher not causing hand to rub on console.

• 

  I love my car - 2012 Hyundai Accent
  By jg523 - September 23 - 7:50 am

  Ive had my Accent for a little over three years now, and Ive gone over 80,000 miles in her. She has not given me ONE problem with the engine. Even when I havent taken her in for regular service in WAY too long or have been driving her long distances with a lot of weight, she is entirely reliable. Now, shes had trouble with other people hitting her, but even those repairs have been perfect and shes back up and running in no time and with no after effects. She also gets great gas mileage on one 8-hour interstate driving trip recently I filled up before leaving and then only once more when I got close to my destination. My husband is 64" and even he fits comfortably in the car.

• 

  I really enjoy my new Elantra - 2014 Hyundai Elantra
  By red_rider28 - September 22 - 12:38 pm

  I purchased the Elantra SE on June 8th and so far I have put about 4700 miles on it. It is a very comfortable car for my commute of about 50 miles round trip daily. I have taken several long road trips of over 300 miles with no issues. Over all I could not have asked for more from Hyundai. I am a loyal customer as I also own a 2012 Hyundai Accent SE.

• 

  Class - 2011 Hyundai Equus
  By livi - September 20 - 9:33 pm

  My Equus Ultimate is one of the nicest cars Ive owned. Quiet, handles well and very nice design. Had the S Class Mercedes but stepped out of the box for the Equus. People said "skeptical paying that for a Hyundai" but after riding in it and enjoying the amenities, nothing else said. Case closed. One guy stopped who had a Rolls Royce said he was considering buying an Equus. People often ask what is it (wing emblem on hood) and "heard about it, nice car." I have not been disappointed. It is truly a very nice car and the Equus Connect customer service is top notch, every question answered and any concern taken care of immediately. Love my Equus -- class extraordinaire.