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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  FRONT SEAT SO UNCOMFORTABLE..WONT DO A THING! - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By NANCY WARNER - May 12 - 9:39 pm

  For such a new 2016 car the front seat is so uncomfortable and went to the dealer 3xs and they wouldnt do a thing except tell me to buy a cushion...That would get in the way of the heated and A/C seat that I paid for? And Hundai themselves only noted this and so far wont do a thing??? So I am to drive for years and be uncomfortable after paying so much?? That is not a good company if you ask me!

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  Sick Of It!!!!!!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Anita - May 12 - 9:28 pm

  I have had this car for two years. I absolutely loved it when I first got it but that soon changed. First, the power window motor went out which the dealership replaced. Second, the alternator had to be replaced. Third, the engine had to be replaced. Fourth, the flywheel had to be replaced. Im just waiting to see what goes out next. I called the dealership to try to trade this piece of junk and was told to come down and they would help me trade and give me the employee price. That was a joke. I purchased a lemon from them and I was stuck with it. I wouldnt recommend this car or the dealership.After reading the reviews, most people seem to be satisfied. Now I know I purchased a lemon.

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  Very Poor Reliability - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Paul - May 12 - 12:59 pm

  DO NOT PURCHASE (2007 model) Problems to date 1) Power steering gasket blew (under 2 yrs old) 2) Reversing sensors are unreliable and do not work consistently.. Hyundai can not reproduce and therefore are not willing to replace under warranty (we have even sent a video of the problem to them). 3) Unable to start van.. power & battery OK.. had it towed to dealer... next day van started ok. 4) Brake calipers under sized for weight of van.. rotors wearing down fast and warping under heat. 5) Customer service a disgrace. If anybody else in Western canada has these problems with Hyundai please drop me a note.

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  id rather have a yugo. - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By bgbstrd - May 11 - 9:13 pm

  No fun, no power, and phantom electrical issues. Been ok reliability wise, but is no fun. Steers like a Mack truck, rides like a Jeep with mud tires, and even after you sacrifice all the enjoyment of driving you only get about 24 miles a gallon. Thats not good enough for me. If it got 30 or better, then ok.

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  Great car until 100K mile, now very disappointed - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By John - May 11 - 5:45 pm

  All schedule maintenance had been done on my car and despite that. Right after my 100K warranty ran out in year number 3! 1. Starter failed at 105K miles 2. Engine replaced at 135K miles after usual hwy trip the engine light flickered went off and then followed by engine noise *(knocking or ping). Other than that great car. I thought this car would have been as reliable as my 2001 Hynadia Elantra which is still running with 207K mile on it.

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  Best Investment for lowest dollar - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jbond - May 11 - 5:11 pm

  Minimal cost other than routine maintenance, oil changes, tires, brakes. Gas mileage better than stated on sticker in fact, at 145,000 miles better than when first purchased. Handles excellant, rides like new after the miles. Best vehicle I have ever purchased. Mistaken for much more expensive vehicles - BMW, Mercedes and jag with the price of a Yugo.... LOL workmanship much better than any vehicle I have driven, including multiple rentals since I drive approx 100,000 per year for work. Have never had to use the warranty other than for a dead battery which was on my behalf.

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  good car - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Sheri - May 11 - 9:05 am

  Excellent car, good gas mileage, did regular oil changes but did not have to do much else maintence wise. Very reliable, only reason to trade it in was my kids turned into teenagers with long legs needed bigger car with more room, but now that I am a mom and my kids are moved out of the home gone off to college I am now in 2008 going back to the accent 4 door the 2008 model. Good safe car.

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  Best Buy Ever! - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Duncan - May 10 - 11:03 pm

  Ive owned 4 Hyundais. I currently also have a 2007 Azera. I bought this one as a left over in early 2003. In 142,000 miles, Ive put $200 into it for non-maintenance repairs. The reliability has been unbelievable. All Ive replaced are tires, brakes, and the battery. And I service the tranny, cooling system and oil regularly. The last time it had a full tune up, it was still in South Korea! The body is still good (paint just starting to weather), the interior has held up fine. The electronics have been good. The cruise control occasionally goes into a funk (it wont resume properly), but its straightened itself out every time. If it died today, it would still be the best car value ever.

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  Great Car Very Safe - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sheri - May 10 - 10:37 pm

  Excellent car had it for 4 years only had to replace battery , thermostat, and brakes, only maintenance i did was change oil every 3000 miles, change out coolant ,change timing belt and all other belts and air filters and of course oil filters and wiper blades did NO other maintenance . Car saved my life in a major accident recently. Did excellent job in crash. Was hit by other vehicle going 80 mph. and I walked away with only minor bruises and a little soreness, of course was wearing seat belt, But the car was totaled but I was unhurt for the most part. Could not ask for better car. Great gas mileage and reliability. Get Gap Protection it is worth the investment!!

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  Rich Womans Taste, Poor Womans Purse - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By MNorris - May 10 - 5:26 pm

  While my dream car WAS a Mercedez Benz, being a hard working professional, and single mother I couldnt afford it. In doing my initial car buying research I discovered the Hyundai Azera! An exisquite car for an exisquitely decent price! Ive had it for a full week now and have turned quite a few heads. And while my ego would love to believe that the men are looking at me in my car, I know that they are checking out my ride and saying to themselves, "Nah, that cant be a Hyundai!" Well move over Buick LaCrosse and Toyota Avalon, and Mercedez Benz, you all have some competition!