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:

• 

  Great for high mileage drivers - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Renee - May 25 - 6:56 pm

  I bought this car "new" (it was a demo car with 160,00 KM on it) in 2005. Currently, its traveled 300,000 KM (just over 200,000 miles) with only maintenance service so far. I had to service the clutch at 250,000 km - and have had the breaks done 2x (unfortunately full replacement due to the salted roads in Canada). As far as reliability goes its been an awesome car for me, though its not luxurious, it does get the job done!

• 

  85,000 miles and here is the reality - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By ben - May 24 - 10:06 pm

  This car either drifts dramatically or catapults, hard on tires my receiver went bad Hyundai wants 1900 wont do a dam thing for me called lexicon what a joke voice activation also connected to receiver bottom line Hyundai says I use the radio too much. Not all bad though still have 15,000 mile warranty on power train yippee!

• 

  Third Van, Sad it is not sold now - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By KellyB - May 23 - 7:47 pm

  I bought my Hyundai brand new May 2007. Also owned Dodge and Pontiac vans, comparable to both. Just turned 66,000 miles. Commute 35 miles per day, can cruise easily at 70+ mph, consistent 21+ MPG, will sometimes get to 80 mph+ without realizing it. Plenty of room for big guy-I am 62", 300 lbs+. No kids, just 2 dogs, but wife and I love using the van to go tent camping and fishing with them. Outlets very handy. Never used DVD system, but sound system so good it must be used at less than 30% volume. Lack of parts availability for warranty work in Alaska frustrating. Only complaints: Remote door operation, fixed. TPMS monitoring system, not yet fixed. Drivers power seat a little rocky

• 

  Love This Car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kris K - May 17 - 2:21 pm

  I bought my 04 Hyundai "used" as a lease vehicle previously. This is the most reliable car I have ever owned. I like all of the standard features that on other models would cost extra. I have had to replace the radiator at about 90K, replaced the back brakes and rotors at about 100K, and have needed to replace headlights about every 6 months. The biggest inconvenience has been replacing the headlights, but this pales in comparison to the overall reliability of the car. I recently totaled this car (not due to the car!) . One thing that concerns me is that the airbag did not deploy in my head on collision. But I like this car so much that I am looking for another Elantra to replace it.

• 

  Fun small car, but loud! - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By reddotblackdot - May 15 - 4:49 pm

  I purchased this car used in 2005, and therefore all the warranties on it were void. it had 30,000 miles. It now has 92,000 and the transmission blew out. It is a $2,000 repair as the whole transmission needs to be replaced. That is almost the worth of the whole car so I am just going to buy another car. It is not a bad car, it is small and that is what i like. It is also quite zippy, i think, however it costs me $22 to fill up and i have to fill it up about every week and a half. I have a 20 min. ride to work from where i live. So you do the math. It is a good used car but i wouldnt pay too much for it.

• 

  No problems - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By None - May 13 - 5:47 pm

  Like very much, very reliable so far. Cheap to maintain at independent garage [former Hyundai dealership mechanics run garage]. Have only done oil changes, and recommended Hyundai maintenance. Much better car than a Camry.

• 

  A Good Car - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By rusl - May 13 - 11:32 am

  I have had this car for almost three years now and have got 51,000 miles on it. I average around 34 highway and 26 city. The only problems so far were the air conditioning vents breaking and the dealership replaced those immediately. Hyundai has been really good standing behind their warranty. The only real problem that I have is the car uses oil. It uses about 3/4 quart every 5000 miles.

• 

  Dangerous braking - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By brad - May 8 - 3:18 pm

  This car does not seem to have two separate braking lines. We had a back brake line leak, that left us with no braks at all. This could have caused a accident if it had not happened on our drive way. I thought it was a required on all cars to have separate lines coming from the master cilider to the front and back,so that if you get a leak you dont looses all your braking. This car has only one brake line out. This would be a good reason not buy this car. We like the car other wise but did have trouble with fuel pump $800 worth and trans mission sensor $400. After market Parts are hard to get thus forcing to go to dealer and pay there prices.

• 

  More car for the $$$ - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Stixcharmer - May 1 - 2:23 pm

  The 2007 Azera Limited is a fine car for the money. This vehicle is compared in construction to some of the BMW series and won! The Korean car maker is certainly headed in the right direction by providing a luxury vehicle without the high price tag. The door handles are nicely designed and convenient. The Infinity sound system rocks! Areas to improve: Car is heavy when applying brakes, emergency brake light needs a sounder to alert the driver, no auxiliary input for your mp3. The leather seating is too thin but lumbar support helps. If your electronic gizmos starts to go wacky, try changing battery first before spending $ at dealership if your warranty runs out. Enjoy your Azera!

• 

  Best Car Ive ever owned - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By EGKG - April 25 - 11:29 am

  Previously owned a Pontiac Bonneville, didnt ever think I would find a car as comfy as my Bonneville, but this car has surpassed it in the Comfort Zone! I test drove 7 different cars before I drove this car, and it was by far the best!! The steering is so precise you feel like its doing all the work for you! The power side view mirrors the heated seats with lumbar support for the driver and passenger, the adjustable pedals, the auto settings for the mechanical steering wheel for 2 different drivers,the back seat has great leg room, I just cant say enough about how much we are enjoying this car!! This is definitely a Luxury Car!!