4 Star Reviews for Hyundai

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.45/5 Average
13,764 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 2321 through 2330 of 13,764.00
  • Steaming in the South... - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    I liked this car at first, then at 66,00 miles , just out of warranty, it broke down. I paid for a new crankshaft ($975.00),then after two weeks, it broke down again, new timer belt, timer ($500.00), after three weeks it wasnt running again, this time it was a pulley (449.00, $300 just for the mechanic to tap the bolts back into the engine block!) The cassette player broke after warranty expired, and paint started chipping off the sides, and I live in the South. The sonata still drives funny, I think it might be the trans. I drive this car with kid gloves, I know longer feel confident in these cars. I am going to trade it in asap.

  • Review of a 2003 Sonata 4 Cylinder Sedan - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    Overall I think Hyundai builds a very nice automobile. For the first year of ownership there were a few minor things that had to be fixed, but nothing major.The major complaint I have is comfort of the front seats. It is not comfortable. I have a 4 cylinder car and it has ample pep and drive even on the highway.I would recommend thia auto to anyone.This car came well equipped as standard equipment and a great warranty.

  • excellent value - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
    By -

    The warrany is excellent, theyve taken care of any problems (faulty sensor recall, corroded chrome handles, interior door panel) It is very reliable, and better in slippery weather than my husbands rwd/4wd truck. the downside is that there is a lot of highway noise, so if youre on the phone or listening to the radio, the volume needs to be turned way up.

  • my fun car. - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
    By -

    fun to drive.gives you a feel of real ruggednees.intera greater desinged very well.agreat pricei love it. for agreat suv.i love it.

  • Who needs a Hybrid? - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    One of my specs when car shopping was it NEEDS not less than 35 mpg. Since I bought this a month ago, Ive been to Tn and back with a total mileage of 1950. Most fill up worked out at 40 mpg or more. My last fill generated 44 mpg. My previous car gave 27, so this is quite impressive. This has ample trunk space, great a/c and the front seats may not be fantastic, but they are very sufficient. I plan on owning this car for 20 years.

  • 96 Elantra Wagon - 1996 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    Overall the vehicle performed well. It was reasonable on gas. It seemed to require more brake maintence than normal. The extended warranty was worth the cost as several items needed to be replaced before 75,000 Scheduled regular maintenance by Hyundai is pricey, especially the timing belt. The Dealer fixed items at no charge that were no longer under warranty for Good- Will. I would recommend the purchase of an Elantra if you get rebates and a good price.

  • Good Car - 2002 Hyundai Accent
    By -

    Get a standard performs much better.

  • Cool SUV - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
    By -

    I have enjoyed driving the Santa Fe for nearly a year. I have taken it on trips and drive in heavy traffic. I holds up well and comfortable to ride in. It has separate cup holders so it is easy to reach your drink not the passangers. The down side so far is the back seats when folding them down you have to take off the head rest and the seats still dont lay down flat.

  • Good Car, if you have a child graduating - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
    By -

    If you have a child graduating from High School or College and plan on buying them an affordable SUV. You cant beat a Hyundai with its value. The new Tuscon is a great car. I would recommend it to anybody.

  • 02 accent no problems - 2002 Hyundai Accent
    By -

    I have put 67,500 highway miles on my 02 accent. At 35,000 the car had a tune up, and I replaced the front pads and had the rotors turned at 48,000. The car runs fine with no breakdowns. It starts fine in below 0 weather.

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