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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  cant complain - lots of car for the money - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By bubber1 - June 13 - 2:51 pm

  I got a great deal on a 2012 genesis with the premium package - just a hair over $34k. After I got done pricing out an Exl Accord, the choice was simple. This car is loaded -- fantastic sound system, great navigation, adjustable lumbar support, upgraded leather, huge backseat and trunk. Really like driving this car. Its slick and classy looking without looking too sports car-like. I got the rebadging package to add the genesis wings to everything, which looks better IMO. Ive been getting about 23 average on MPG, which is worse than my old 4 cylinder Honda but not that much worse, and better than most V6 cars. Tops out at 29 on freeway.

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  Genesis Sedan 3.8L V-6, loaded - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By boilergonzo - June 12 - 11:08 am

  Test drove BMW 3/5 series, Audi A4/6, Mercedes C/E, Infiniti G/M, Lexus IS/E/G, and bought the Genesis. If dollars were equal, I would now own a loaded BMW 535, A6, Infiniti M37, or MB E350. The challenge became the incredible value of the not-so-prestigious Hyundai! Heated and Cooled seats (not ventilated... COOLED!), back-up camera, Lexicon sound system (AMAZING!!!), HID directional lights, auto-hold brakes, adaptive cruise control... if you can live without brand prestige, the value of this car is off the charts! 20,000 miles, zero problems, accelerates very strong, drives great, and I love it. No regrets at all. Would absolutely buy it again!

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  Real life 29/40 mpg is realistic! - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By himpg1 - May 26 - 4:59 pm

  After 2 months owning the 2013 Elantra Limited and 2600 miles driven, I have found the car will get the 29/40 mpg as listed unless there is strong head winds! Read the 2012 April Popular Mechanics magazine article that tests the Elantra on normal highways and city streets. They were able to easily exceed the 29/40 mpg. This car will do it! It takes a conservative driving style and a desire for good mpg instead of speed or performance. Still very impressed with our Elantra, and no complaints.

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  Ideal Commuter Car for the Larger Guy - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By lleopold - May 21 - 12:56 pm

  I bought mine two weeks ago after conducting extensive research on commuter vehicles to relinquish my diesel pickup to pure recreational status (I tow a trailer). I commute 74 miles per day to and from work and had been using my wifes Mazda 6 for a number of months. Im a larger (250 lbs, 511") guy so I have a hard time getting into compact cars, so I really didnt enjoy commuting using my wifes car. I found that I could easily get into and out of this car! The form and fit were perfect for the commute and I believe this car would also be great for long-distance travel and bluetooth connection is perfect when Im on conference calls. Im seeing 36 mpg average and its increasing.

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  my 2013 elantra gls - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By steven39 - May 19 - 12:27 pm

  I was so impressed with this cars value that i traded in a 2012 elantra base model for a 2013 elantra with the prefered package that offers more standard features.my selling dealer whom i purchased my previous elantra from gave me a great deal that i couldnt refuse.this 2013 basically rides the same as my other elantra that i traded in however i have noticed that this 2013 elantra was built at the alabama plant and seems to be built a little better than the other elantra i had which was built at the ulsan plant.you can definitly tell the difference between the two.

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  Exceptional Value - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By paul2013 - May 11 - 10:03 am

  I purchased an Elantra GLS with the Preferred Package about a month ago. After extensive shopping, even with very little off the MSRP (this car is in high demand) the Elantra really does represent an exceptional value and in my opinion just outclasses the competition in terms of features and styling. I was concerned that it wouldnt have much pep since the engine is on the small side but it is more than adequate and I havent yet had the sensation of it being particularly under-powered.

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  Awesome Car - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By jenniferkay - May 9 - 12:47 am

  I drove this car for the first time and it is amazing....I LOVE IT....

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  Love it, love it, love it - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By tkbeyedoc - May 7 - 9:00 pm

  I purchased my 2011 certified Genesis 4.6 a few weeks ago. There is very little not to like about this car. Performance is excellent, fuel economy isnt bad (averaged 29+ on my first road trip), warranty is excellent, interior is comfortable, and the car gets complements everywhere I go. Only a few quirks (ex: cruise control isnt extremely consistent and the adaptive cruise control - while a great idea - isnt very useful because as soon as someone pulls in front of you in traffic the car does a huge slow down) The navigation and stereo control takes some getting used to, but now I like it. The cooled drivers seat is the bomb in this warm weather. I have no regrets! I love it!

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  Id put Accent at the top of the list - 2012 Hyundai Accent
  By king_james - April 30 - 10:57 am

  I am not sure why Accent was ranked lower than mazda, kia or ford... Id like to put Accent at number 2 with Elantra being number 1 on the list (only because Elantra is a larger and more stylish model than Accent)... The Accent is a greater car than the mazda 2, ford fiesta, kia soul/forte or toyota yaris... Considering the performance and reliability (I got a 10-year/100,000 miles bumper to bumper on mine for a fraction of cost compared to other cars base prices) it is the best option for quality/gas mileage/options... Just because ford provides two extra buttons on the steering wheel does not make it a better car... Id buy a Hyundai over any brand on that list any given day...

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  6 months in my 2012 GLS - 2012 Hyundai Accent
  By - April 26 - 9:16 pm

  I traded a 2007 Azera for this car. The Azera convinced me that Hyndai knew how to build really good cars the Accet is the best little car Ive ever driven. It is sharp- good-looking, economical, safe, and fun to drive. I get 32-35 mpg driving to work I have gotten as much as 43 on a trip. The seats are very comfortable. The steering is a bit loose, ad it is not a sports sedan, but it handles well. Im amazed at how this little motor does at highway speeds. It can cruise at 85. The short wheelbase makes the bumps quite noticeable, but it is unexpectedly quiet.