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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  Zip, Zap but no Zoom - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Prit - June 25 - 2:22 pm

  Just recently bought it 2nd hand with 82k on it. I loved its light body and they way it moves around city. I drove 2 heavy cars before, 96 Camry and 2000 infiniti both v6. This car is feather light. I love it driving around city where it is more fun. It zips and zaps around corner. Heavy driving is boring with this car, where heavier car excels for it comfort. Good mileage. Younger generation will love this car it feels like i am driving a go cart. Highly recommended it will put smile on your face.

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  Great to start with - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By rjallen - June 23 - 12:11 pm

  We bought our Hyundai when it was a year old. We were well pleased with it until it hit about 35,000 miles. We had 4 throttle body sensors replaced under warranty. This was a tow to the dealership on each occasion. Luckily the tow was also covered under warranty. However we had the 5 sensor replaced at 80,000 miles and this was on us. Hyundai part only and the repair was $555.00. At 75,000 miles the sun visors would not stay in the up position. Even though this seems to be a common problem, Hyundai does not cover them under warranty. The cost to replace was $307. I drive my cars for years and close to 300,000 miles. Never had this much problem with my supposedly poorly built US cars.

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  Sonata Happy in Las Vegas - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dion120632 - June 21 - 1:40 pm

  I purchased my 2006 Hyundai new from the dealership in June 2006 and can say that the vehicle has been a steady and dependable vehicle. The V6 provides plenty of power when needed and the interior/trim look well and continue to work without fail. The valve cover gasket was replaced by the dealer under warranty at 55,000 miles - the only major repair to the vehicle. Otherwise, the car requires routine maintenance to keep it humming. Like many, I purchased the Sonata because I did not have enough coin to spring for a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. As I look back on it, purchasing the Sonata was a sound decision and Ill continue to drive it until the wheels fall off and I buy a new Sonata!

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  Good Car - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By 02Guy - June 20 - 6:59 pm

  I purchased my car brand new back in 2002. It now has 123,000 miles on it and Im now just experiencing a few problems. The power steering line is leaking power steering fluid. From other reviews, it seems like this is a common problem and should possibly be a recall because of a poor design flaw. The paint is also peeling on my roof. A few other minor complaints were the antennae broke, but it was still under warranty, the O2 sensor went out a few times and chrome inside door handles peeled, all covered by a recall. Also, the maintenance is a bit pricey. Now for the good. It handles great and has such a smooth ride. No major problems the first 7 years of ownership. Ill buy a Hyundai again.

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  Bad Fuel Economy - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By Bob - June 18 - 10:16 am

  The car is driven 98% highway doing the speed limit of 55 mph to 65 mph I watch the tachometer for any major changes in engine speed. The gas mileage is not even close to the sticker. I average 30 to 32 mpg, the sticker states 37 to 43 mpg.

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  Its been fairly reliable so far - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By John - June 17 - 5:10 pm

  Bought new in Dec 01. So far, no MAJOR issues with the car its been mechanically sound and reliable at 104K miles. The couple of times I took the car in for warranty-related work, the dealer refused and wanted me to pay (it was electrical issue). Seems like warranty work is a hit/miss with dealers. Ive had only minor annoying electrical problems so far, like the dash clock not working (took it apart and repaired myself), turn signal switch intermittent (repaired myself), side mirror heaters no longer work, air blower switch position 1 doesnt work, several bulbs in the dash burned out (including the headlights numerous times). Steering vibrates at above 60 MPH intermittently.

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  Looks Great, But..... - 2010 Hyundai Azera
  By shagnat - June 8 - 2:15 pm

  This is a great looking car. Performance is very adequate. However, the ride is horrible. I dont know why some peeps find the ride so good. Mine is like a buckboard. The rear suspension is so rough till I cringe every time I hit any bump. This car feels EVERY expansion joint on an Interstate. I dont know if Id buy another one at this point. It would have to be a vast improvement, otherwise Ill stick to my wonderful and dependable Toyotas.

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  No sign of wear at 80,000 miles - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By David Levine - May 31 - 11:46 pm

  I am almost at 80,000 miles on my Sonata and I still havent had one problem. Just had the car detailed and it looks great - almost no signs of wear. This is right around the point where my Mercedes started having crazy electrical problems but I think my Hyundai will go until I want to replace it with something more fun. The real debate is whether to sell it before it hits 100k miles or drive it into the ground - which could be years.

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  Great car! - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jay - May 30 - 9:04 pm

  I bought this car used a few months ago and couldnt be more pleased. I routinely get 37+ MPG on the highway and it handles great in the deep MN snow. Great storage with the hatchback and the interior is great. Cant beat the leather, sunroof, etc. that you wont get with a Civic or a Corolla.

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  Better than a Honda - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Dominic - May 28 - 12:30 am

  If you are looking for an economical fully loaded minivan, I strongly recommend that you look into the Entourage. My family and I thoroughly love our van. We have family friends that own one as well and they love theirs as well. My only knock on the vehicle is its gas mileage. Other than that, it is an outstanding family vehicle. Go drive one and compare it to a Honda. Once you have driven both vans and you look at the cost difference, I am sure that you will understand why I recommend this vehicle. By the way, this is the 7th Hyundai that me and my extended family (brother-in-law, grandparents and second for me) have purchased.