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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  Power Steering Hose Issue - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By neil2002 - February 27 - 3:32 pm

  Well, Ive been starting to have power steering fluid leaking all over the place. Took a look up under the car and the high pressure power steering hose is spitting out a lot of fluid. Judging from these reviews this is a very common problem with sonatas. Usually seems to happen around 100K (my 2002 has 105K on it). Definitely a design flaw, but dont know if it meets criteria for a class action. Would do this myself to save some $ but cant really save that much as this is a dealer part thats about $300. Ill let the techs install as Im sure theyve done plenty and the labor (although its not a 2 second job) is not the brunt of the cost.

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  Great car - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By 76mini - February 23 - 8:02 pm

  I have owned my Genesis for over three months and love this car. I have had four BMW 5 series and this car comparesfavorably in every way to the much more expensive 5 series. In addition, it has more interior room, features, better interior quality and so far reliability. The last BMW Iowned was a 2008 535I which was nothing but trouble with the twin turbo engine and electronics. The only thing this car does not have is a luxury badge but everything else about the car is on par with or better than the best in the luxury class.

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  Best value in Vans - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By beenaround60 - February 20 - 2:56 pm

  I bought my Entourage in 2007 after comparing it to the Dodge, Chrysler, Honda, and Toyota offerings. I had a 1990 Dodge minivan for 19 years and it still had more zip, and better handling than the Dodge and Chrysler vans. The Entourage has great road feel, plenty of zip, was nicely appointed and was $7,000 cheaper than other comparable models. The seat felt better than those in other vans and that was important because I have back problems and must do long drives. The only problems I have had in five years is a buzz in the AM reception that I attribute to had tuning, because FM comes in clear. The other problem is the passenger grab bar that came out when a passenger exited. I replaced the two small metal screws and have not had a problem since. Resale value is a problem for those who trade every few years. I keep my vehicles for ten to fifteen years and when I get ready to buy another Hyundai will be at the top of the list.

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  not one problem @ 30,000 miles - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By sssannndmannn - February 20 - 2:24 pm

  We chose this car over the Kia Soul (headrests were too far forward, pushing on our heads) and the Honda Fit (too small inside, too few features for too much money). The bad: no glove box light no temp gauge too little storage only 28 MPG (my 89 Integra got 33 on my exact same daily commute) drivers center armrest is too low and the steering is too sensitive when youre just going straight. The good: best sound system and best cupholders Ive ever used in a car, very comfortable, and not one problem yet at 30,000 miles. I change the oil myself and the attention to detail and quality is everywhere, even under the car. All around one of the best small cars, but still miss my Integra.

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  lot of car for the money - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By koptm - February 19 - 6:47 pm

  easy & fun to drive, reminds me of my motorcycle only is has comforts. bought it jan.7th under blizard conditions, does great in the snow. quiet, smoth comfortable ride. no radeles or squeks. sounds solid. milage range from 18 mpg (cold weather 10 to 15 min warm ups) 31 mpg on the road. I live in WV so not much interstate driving. im getting 26 mpg on the average and i love it. enough power to pass coal trucks in a short space going up a mountan, (thats the test). easy enough on gas im not afairade to go to the filling station anymore. doesnt feel like a compact car when im driving, excalent audio system, all controls heater & so forth easy to use. well desinghed id recomend it.

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  2011 Genesis - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By informatics - February 12 - 7:43 pm

  I have now had my new 2011 Genesis for 1 week. I got it at Jim Hudson Hyundai in Columbia SC. I got the base 3.8 V6 with no options. I will not give the exact price but I was out the door for under $30,000. Price aside, it is truly a wonderful car. I am in my upper 30s and I feel like a teenager again when I drive this thing. Being excited about driving is something I had forgotten about until last week. I also love the attention this car affords. I have had so many compliments and typically the reaction is WOW, I did not know Hyundai made such a nice vehicle. I did research for weeks and the only thing people can say bad about this vehicle is that they dont get the prestige. Get this car!

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  Best purchase ever... so Far!! - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By pa82 - February 9 - 11:18 pm

  I absolutely love this car, it combines comfort with sportiness and excellent on gas. Definitely the best purchase I made to date. I traded in my 2003 Infiniti G35 sedan and have no regretted it one bit. Everything on the new Elantra limited seems like its standard. Sunroof, blue tooth etc. You only find these options on mid level and top of the line luxury cars. Hyundai was really stepped up big time in the compact market.

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  John of Columbus NC - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By jaacolumbusnc - February 5 - 8:33 pm

  I purchased my 2011 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 from Dave Edwards Hyundai, Spartanburg, SC. The dealership is one of the best I have done business with. The car is truly outstanding in every respect. Color is Titanium Gray Metallic with Saddle leather interior. Traded in 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited purchased from same dealer. I really liked the Sonata but after driving the Genesis it was impossible to resist the purchase.

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  5 years and still love my car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By concordenerd - February 5 - 11:05 am

  I have had my Sonata for 5 years now and still like the car very much. I wish it would have some of the newer features, but no big deal. Gas is a plus as well.

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  Nothing but just Praise. - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By ucool80 - February 3 - 8:29 pm

  I cant say enough good things about this car. There is just no other car in its class that comes even close to the features, fit and finish of this vehice. The car on its first trip on the highway from the dealer, showed that it was using only 7.6l/100km. That was on a very short trip, I am sure it will be in the low 6 if not below the 6l/100km mark on a longer highway trip. The doors and trunk close with a thump. The doors are quite heavy for a compact car. With two car seats in the back there is still enough room for an adult to fit in between the car seats. I have got nothing but compliments from everyone who has seen it.