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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  At Least it Was Under Warranty - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Marie Beck - March 20 - 11:00 am

  When I drove my car home the fist time, I had to turn around and take it back because the brakes were bad. Did not test drive on the Interstate - wont make that mistake again. Since then, I have had the car towed twice for different problems. One was the sensor for the gas pedal, and today for the check engine light and skipping. Only 5K miles left on my Warranty and I will have a Toyota or a Nissan before I hit that mark. I definitely got a Lemon. Each time, the Service Manager knew exactly what the problem was, because he had seen it SO many times on this make and Model.

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  Its been a good car - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Kris - March 19 - 11:55 pm

  Year 6 of ownership and Ive been satisfied. The touring has been a good car for my family of four. I was looking for something with versatile cargo space but not an SUV since I like to ride low to the ground. Pros are the spacious cargo, excellent breaking, nice interior layout and price for the amount of car. In many regards its a hidden gem. The cons are bumpy ride, thin fabrics make light dirt stains stand out, and OEM tires wore quickly and did not do well in the snow. However, with good all seasons or snow tires this car does well. At 45,000 miles only 1 minor repair (break pedal was making a little noise but nothing dangerous) that was included in the warranty. I narrowed down to the Prius And Subaru Outback, but did not enjoy driving the Prius, and the out back boxer engine was too loud and I didnt like the sitting position. Also considered golf and matrix but the cargo space was too small. No regrets so far.

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  Ignition Problem - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By FionaCameron - March 19 - 8:36 pm

  Great mileage at 41 mpg - we drive almost exclusively long highway miles. Have had car for 2 months with 6 "no- start" ignition events and 2 trips to dealer about it. Second servicing seems to have fixed it - something to do with a harness connection with the brake, which needs to be depressed to start engine.

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  Great Car - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By ArlingtonTx - March 19 - 8:10 pm

  I have purchased GLS Automatic with convenience package. I have only driven 600+ miles. Very smooth, quite and comfortable ride. Great acceleration even better brakes. Lots of room, and two child seats can be easily moved to over-sized trunk. Great visibility and very very good gas millage. The only complain from passengers(wife)is that passenger seat is too low and lacks vertical adjustment. I have tested Camry Accord and Sonata. For the money and based on initial drive comfort going with anything else is throwing money away.

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  Disappointed by the little things - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By steve in MD - March 19 - 5:45 pm

  While the fit & finish are nice, I find the front drivers seat to be extremely uncomfortable and Im only 59". The auto headlights are sensitive enough the auto windshields wipers behave erratically the heating- /A/C defaults to A/C "compressor on" and most of the settings on the trip computer reset every time you start the car. On top of that, the Check Engine Light came on after only 24 hours with the car. had it only 3 weeks but considering a trade in. On the whole disappointed by the little things.

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  Very good car for my needs. - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By EdmontonHyundai - March 19 - 12:26 pm

  Ive had the car for about ten months now, and it has been excellent, good mileage, no mechanical issues, its my first Hyundai, so I wasnt exactly sure of what to expect, very satisfied. I live in Canada, and unfortunately, the 4 cylinder cars dont have traction control or stability control? not sure about this, standard on all cars in the states, come on Hyundai, were the ones who really need these features! So, Id be sure to get those features in my next one/or if I could start over, as winter traction could certainly have been better. Otherwise he car has been great, drive lots, runs great, could have an oil life monitor, more headroom, and a power passenger seat, next car will.

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  I LOVE IT - LOVE IT - LOVE IT! - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By LadyLindaK - March 19 - 5:53 am

  This car is amazing! I have a 1999 tiburon - which I love. That was the best car I have ever had - so I knew I wanted another Hyundai. I was looking at the sonata - then I spotted Azzy. There was no going back! The price - for all the features was terrific. I did look at the Genesis - just for fun - but to tell the Truth - I still preferred the azera. I have had no problem with the suspension. Best of all-this is a car that "fits" me. The controls for the seats - with a memory is amazing - and the pedals move too! I dont have to try to get my seat perfect time and time again after "he" drives it. "He" insists he loves his ugly Chevy truck - but he jumps in my car every chance he gets!

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  Poor Choice - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By cody - March 19 - 3:33 am

  At 10,000 miles calibers stuck had to have all new brakes and drums, then at 14,000 front breaks had to be replaced. Dealer said it was my driving that cause the brakes to crumble. Needed new belts already, gas mileage stinks. Paint came off door handles so they are now White, all four of them. Interior worn, and I am a single person. Would not recommend this car. Now at 48,000 need new breaks again, rear calibers stuck once again, but then it is always my fault. Dont buy a 4 cylinder, you have to turn off heat or air to get on the freeway, and pray when you go up a hill. No matter what a salesman says this model in a 4 is not like a 6. Have driven my daughters Toyota and her 4 has no problem.

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  Still a "WOW" - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Julien - March 18 - 9:23 pm

  This car has the quality, reliability and performance of a Lexus for thousands less. In 3 years, weve changed the oil and 1 light bulb. Thats it! It goes like stink (that might explain the gas mileage), does it quietly (allowing us to truly enjoy the cars great audio system) all the while feeling secure (even our son loves how the car handles). Incredible Bang for the Buck. 3 people have bought an Azera on our recommendation and love their car as much as we do. Hyundais Best Kept Secret.

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  Bought another Hyundai. - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By Scott - March 18 - 8:58 pm

  This will be my 3rd Hyundai. My Son drives my old 2003 Sonata with 160K on it. I traded my 07 Santa Fe AWD for this car as I commute to work almost 100 miles a day and need better MPGs. I didnt need or want the Limited as the GLS have all the options I preferred. I have owned it only a couple days and the mileage is 25 mpg but that is a lot of highway. I expect even better once the car is broke in. If you are looking for an Azera, the deals are out there. I got about 5K off the MSRP.