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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  2 Dr. Hyundai Accent - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By drlove207 - February 5 - 2:00 am

  I have only had this vehicle for about a month but I am continually more impressed with it. It has quite a bit of pickup for its engine size and is pretty fun to drive. Cupholders are great. Not a huge fan of the exterior design but value of the car for the price (with great warranty, good gas mileage, etc.) is tremendous. The good reliability review Hyundai just received by consumer reports put me over the top for buying this car.

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  For Your $$$, Beats Civic & Corolla - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Michael - February 4 - 4:46 pm

  I bought this car after test driving multiple Toyota Corollas and a couple Honda Civics. The Hyundai is typically a couple grand cheaper and you get more bang for the buck. The gas mileage is decent but not great -- I think Toyota and Honda may have this car beat. I average about 23-24 MPG with mixed city and highway driving, though I do drive fast on the highway. The car is very comfortable and roomy. It feels like a midsize rather than a compact. The interior is very classy. The Elantra simply looks a lot better on the inside than the Corolla, which looked cheap and out of date. There is plenty of room in the backseat for passengers and the trunk is a good size. Overall ride is smooth.

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  A lot of misrepresentations in these reviews. - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bryan Kelly - February 3 - 11:27 am

  I know there has been a lot of debate about the GAS MILEAGE this car can REALLY achieve - to the point Hyundai had to issue some corrections, Being honest, if you cannot drive a six speed manual CORRECTLY, you will not get the 43 to 44 on the hwy - AS ORIGINALLY CLAIMED. I am fully aware the vast majority of US drivers most likely learned to drive in an automatic, and I have met many, many US drivers who have no ability to drive a manual gear box correctly. I learned to drive in the UK in the 1970s - the manual was the only option in most cars and engine displacement was always around 1600cc. It is not that I perceive myself as a brilliant driver - perhaps just 36 years of experience in a stick shift. So, with respect - I KNOW this car can achieve 44 to 45 mpg on the highway - absolutely no problem - and I do not think I was given a MAGICAL ELANTRA -- so these complaints are really not legitimate IMHO. If you drive this vehicle carefully using good manual changes -- you will get the original 44 mpg performance - trust me, I have had this car since 2011 - so I do think this is a legitimate comment!

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  Not Bad for the Money - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Anthony496 - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Good reliable transportation. I beat this car like a red headed step child. Lots of high speed, jack rabbit starts and idling. Excellent Heat and A/C. 30MPG also. Have had problems: Both Front windows stopped rolling up (cause was Nylon Wear Strips), Both rear wheel bearings, 3 camshaft position sensors, EVAP purge valve, lastly major engine oil leaks. 84000 miles and still under warranty. 4cyl w/5 spd.

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  Great for the money. - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By tvc - February 2 - 2:00 am

  For the money, this is the best on the road today. This is my second Elantra and I have not had any mechanical problems with either over a total of 4 years. My first Elantra was a 2000 model and it was totalled in an accident. The airbags deployed and my car was flipped over. I got out with minor abraisions from crawling out through the glass but not from the impact. The roof held up and did not crumple after the car came to rest on its roof. The car also has plenty of power for its size.

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  Best Value on The Market - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Ed B. - January 31 - 10:00 am

  My need was to get my wife into a dependable large car. I eliminated domestic cars because I feel they have let the buyers down far too long. I looked at the Japanese cars and wanted more. The Korean cars are the real comers. I went with the XG 350 and could not be happier. It is no Maybach, but does not pretend to be.

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  still on the fence - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By nicole23 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  THe car is a good car, But I have had some problems with it. At 3000 miles the transmission needed to be replaced. the taillight all needed to be replaced, they turned white. I think the head lights are about to as well. the dome lights dont work. I dont listen to the stereo very loud but the speakers blew. the driver chair rocks back and forth

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  So Far So Good - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Ray - January 30 - 4:13 pm

  I have about 1900 miles on my Tucson, So far its been fun to dirve, a little bigger feel to maneuver than my previous Forester, but I am getting used to it. I could use a touch more mpg which is hovering just under 20 mpg (mostly city). I dont expect that to improve though some have said it will. I believe it is a well-made vehicle with a lot of extras for the money. As other have mentioned, a little less engine noise would be appreicated, but its not a problem. The wind noise on my Forester was horrendous so this ride is much quieter. Handles and feels like a car, comfortable to ride and drive. Recommended for any seeking an economically-priced reliable, versatile vehicle.

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  Surprised - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Britt25 - January 30 - 2:00 am

  I couldnt be more surprised at the comfort, styling, and reliability of this car. IF all that doesnt get to you then the warranty should. I feel smarter than everyone else because I have so much for so little. The only crime is not buying this car because youre afraid of the name.

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  A fine vehicle at any price - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By bri777 - January 28 - 2:00 am

  When I travel I often rent out mid and full size cars. More often than not I look forward to going back home to my Elantra GT. The driving dynamics are perfectly suited to my tastes. Not too soft and handles expansion joints with aplomb.