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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  2,351 dollars including tax anad tags - 1999 Hyundai Accent
  By TrogdoR! - September 25 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car 3 days ago so I know i cant really say anything about reliability but for having only a 92 hp engine this car flys. I bought it for 2,351 dollars including taxes and tags it has 75,000 miles on it has no leaks oil and transmission both look good clutch is nice and firm the outside of the car is still shinny and the inside is clean as ever for my third car id have to say i enjoy this the most.

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  Just Got it - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Norm - September 24 - 1:33 am

  Although we only have a couple of hundred miles on it so far, Ive driven many cars over the years and feel I am qualified to offer my thoughts on this car. While many wish for more HP, I feel it is satisfactory for what the car is designed to do, get you from point A-B as economically as possible with as much comfort as possible. This car achieves these goals. The steering is certainly lacking that "Hug the road" feel. The brakes work well with plenty of stopping power. I think youd be hard pressed to find a better bang for your buck. The best thing is that the S.O. loves it and when shes happy, the world is happy! Safe Travels.

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  High depreciation means used car bargain - 2000 Hyundai Accent
  By Albany New York - September 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 16K on it although it had been in service for three years. I purchased for $4,900 from a Nissan dealer who took in on trade. It looks and drives like new and is bumper to bumper warrantied until 60K or five years. I have found it to be very pleasant, much quieter than other similar basic transportation. While it does not accelerate very quickly, it cruises on the highway very solidly and comfortably at 70 mph. Seats are very comfortable. Radio sounds great. Feels zippy around town. Perfect for a basic, no frills commuter car--and risk free if you buy a low mileage used one.

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  Great used car buy - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Hyundaihoosier - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Looking for a good used car to commute with that was $6,000 or under with low mileage. Found this 5-speed with A/C, spoiler, as a trade-in (not even on the lot) with only 25,500 miles on it. Paid cash. I was a little apprehensive but the people I knew who owned a Hyundai said they were good cars. Well, theyre right. A great little compact with plenty of pep. Fun to drive and not a bad looking car as a bonus.

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  i would definently buy again - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By scottyspamman - September 22 - 3:21 pm

  i work out of my car and spend alot of time in it. 40k,yr that being said, i am 6 1, 230 lbs, and this has alot more room than any other car in its class. seriously. i looked at accord and camry, but if you spend 2 minutes in this car you will LOVE IT. again tons of room, a slap shift when you want power. it get 30 mpg at the pump. ive gotten 39mpg on a long road trip. the engine is quiet, it is very comfortable, it doesnt look like a grandma mobile, i carry 3 duffel bags of medical supplies in the trunk with room to spare. and it has a 5 star crash rating. its alot cheaper then its copetition. but, you will notice a difference in build quality. nothing substancial though

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  Great Value and Very dependable - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By WWLJR - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my sonata in july of 00. I currently have 110,000 miles on the odometer. This has been the most reliable car I have owned to date. I would recommend this model if you are in the market.

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  A bang for your buck - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sonata Owner - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I almost bought a Toyota Camary, but felt like i was giving money to the wrong place. I stoped into Hyundai, expecting a noisy,tinny little econobox, but I was sure wrong. The styling attracts many people. I continously get compliments from Lexus and Jag. owners. Engine is a little noisy, but not annoying. Acceleration is pretty good. Interior design is high quality, but has some cheap bits in it.Comfortable. Hasnt caused me any problems but a popping speaker. I would recomend this car to anybody.I constantly do 250, 500 mile trips across the state and feel very confident.

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  At first we were afraid - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By AprilW - September 18 - 2:00 am

  At first we had a lot of problems with this car. I think a lot of it had to do with the dealership more than anything--we had to take it back 4-5 times before they fixed what was wrong. Ever since it was fixed, though, we havent had a problem with anything except the usual maintenance. We had to have a tune-up pretty early, plus other things that would typically last a little bit longer.

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  Worth-A-Look - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By FlaSun - September 18 - 2:00 am

  We bought the 2003 Sonata LX w/ the "homelink" feature. The "homelink" is a very nice feature. It lets you open your garage door by pressing one of three button on the rear view mirror. It can operate three different doors as well. It comes with the automatic dimmer feature, so at night the mirror cuts down on the glare from the car behind you. Very impresed with the warranty. Probably the biggest selling point of the car. DEFINATELY go for the V-6 over the V-4.(standard the LX)

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  Too much road noise! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By quiet pls - September 17 - 9:00 pm

  Yikes. Too much road/tire noise! I have insulated the trunk and under the back seat--to no avail. Went I hit the slightest bit rough pavement the sound just overwhelms me. I owned a Camry before and I must say I miss the softer quieter more refined ride of that car even though its steering was a little too soft. Has anyone tried anything that worked to lower the noise level?