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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  Amazing Car! - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By mlrollin91 - September 24 - 11:55 am

  I absolutely love this car. Gas mileage is amazing on this vehicle. Only car that I have had that comes even close to the EPA rating. The only gripe I have is that when purchasing the Limited Premium Package, the so called 360Watt sound system is not even close to 360Watt. Maybe 200 at most. Replacing speakers and putting in a subwoofer for the lows and the car is perfect. Recommend to everyone.

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  No buyers remorse!! - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By topoerman - September 12 - 9:27 am

  We put our first 1000 miles on our 2012 Elantra GLS after downsizing from a 2007 Sonata LTD. No regrets yet. The interior space is comparable to the Sonata giving me plenty of leg and head room for my 62" frame. Back seat space comfortably accommodates 2 adults. The new 148 hp 4 cylinder has plenty of pop and the 6 speed transmission operates smoothly. The eye-catching design is a real head turner. We did get the preferred package which adds a few extras. After reading a few reviews, I was concerned about the gas mileage being overstated, but we recently got over 41 mpg on a road trip and average about 36-38 on our first 3 tanks of gas. This is according to the on board avg indicator.

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  All I can say is WOW! - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By lillyv - September 11 - 11:05 am

  I have been driving a BMW 530i and as much as I loved my bimmer, it was not such a reliable vehicle. I truly expected more quality in the BMW. I traded it for the 2011 Genesis 4.6 and could not be more pleased. The Genesis out did the BMW 530i as far as the interior. It is roomy, well appointed and has many more features than the bimmer. This model is fully loaded. I could not ask more, what else could I want? I will updated my post in a couple of months.

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  2011 Genesis 3.8 - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By albion729 - September 6 - 3:07 pm

  I am updating my last post. I have had the Genesis almost 3 months now. I have no regrets about trading my MB E-350 for this car. Truth be told, this car does not out handle the Benz. But, it has met and exceeded the benz everywhere else. The Benz had the P-1 sports package on it, so it was not very quiet on the road. This car is ultra car on the highway and all you have to do is step down with the right foot, and she is waiting to do her thing. I am truly impressed with this car in all aspects. My wife asked me if I would buy another Genesis and I told her no. She then asked what I would buy next, I told her the Equus. I can only imagine what Hyundai has in store for that car.

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  2012 GLS Elantra w/preferred pkg - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By mrsrochester - September 5 - 4:44 pm

  So far, I love this car. I bought it 6/5/11 to replace a 2000 Ford Escort ZX2. I started my search by test-driving a 2012 Ford Focus, Chevy Cruz, Mazda3, and the Hyundai Elantra. In the end I went with the Elantra because, for the amount of money I could spend on a car, it had the most features (bluetooth, xm, tilt/telescopic wheel, cruise control, auto mirror w/ homelink, ipod jack) for the most reasonable cost. It also had the best leg room, which surprised me. I am finally able to have adult passengers in my back seat w/out having to send them to the chiropractor after a road trip.

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  2011 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By moodyj0 - September 4 - 9:01 pm

  I have owned Jaguars, Mercedes, and five BMWS. They are all good cars and fun to drive. I did the research on the Genesis and read all the reviews and was convinced this was the car to test drive and give it a try. I drove the car and was completely sold on the car in every way. I bought it and am more than satisfied with the performance, ride, quietness, comfort, roominess and quality. It is all that the other cars are and more and 25k less to buy.

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  Great Value so far. - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By 96tahoe - September 4 - 6:12 am

  Overall the car is great. Im commenting on those people crying over not getting 40mpg. Umm...drive more hwy miles and your sure to get 40mpg or more. Your dash board says "Avg." That means the average gas mileage your getting. So if your getting less, your probably making too many trips from your house to mcdonalds. Get this car it looks great and so far the reliability is good.

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  A great find - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By pension - September 2 - 3:17 pm

  Only have it three days. Great deal, traded 2009 MB E350. 28mpg on first long trip. Love buying regular vs premium. Connected Blackberry to bluetooth in 60 seconds, took days with MB. iPad cable/interface awesome, even names songs in medley! Lexicon better thsn Harmon Kardon. Acceleration is smooth and fast. Tight car great fit and finish.

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  Best car for any age! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By mylefttoe808 - August 27 - 1:08 pm

  I left my Lexus is250 to my mom when i moved and she got me an azera. At first it was a bit of a downer. However this car is a much better fit now that im a father. Great family car and preformance is awesome. I understand the complaint about ride comfort. Get different tires. Thats all. Sumitomo HTR Z III are cheap and amazing tires. you can get them for under 500 bucks for all 4. The Azera is my favorite car overall.

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  4 Year Review - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By ccbloome61 - August 23 - 7:25 pm

  My 2007 Sonata has just turned 4 years old in July of 2011. When it was new I did have a wheel balance problem which was fixed by the dealer at no charge. The battery started leaking acid this summer and I replaced it. Still on the original Michellins and have done no other repairs as of yet. Still looks like new and drives like new. I have 40,000 miles on it now. Really have enjoyed it. Powder White Pearl and I had the windows tinted.