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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  Honeymoon is over and Still love this car - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By troy26 - January 8 - 8:39 am

  I have just over 14000 miles on my Genesis 4.6 sedan and love this car. Its used everyday for a 100 mile commute, around town and long trips for business. Driving this car never tires me out.

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  Wow! - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By buddy904 - January 5 - 6:49 pm

  Just bought a 2011 Elantra on the 23rd of December. It is my wifes car - she traded in a 2008 Civic Coupe (weve had 5 Hondas). This is our 1st Hyundai, and it is very impressive. It is quieter than the Civic (which I expected - Civics are loud & I like them anyway) - it drives beautifully, smooth, a bit more powerful than the Civic, and it handles very well. We drove to South Florida for New Years - about a 600 mile round trip - and got 37 MPG overall. When I kept it at 70, I was getting 41-44 MPG. Of course, I usually drive 80+ down I-95. It has safety features only available on top level Hondas, it looks great, is comfy has features I never would have dreamed of for 18K. I am a Honda guy and a Ford guy, and was considering the redesigned 2012 Focus, Civic, or an Accord. But the new Focus seems like it will never be released, Civic apparently wont be redesigned for another year, and frankly, the Accord - as good as it is - is too big, and doesnt do it for me style wise (except for the coupe). I sold Hondas and Fords, and like both companies. I never saw a Hyundai in my future, or my driveway. That has definitely changed. This is a truly nice automobile, loaded with features, my wife loves it. It is safe, efficient, a smooth driver and a good looker. Look out, I think Im hooked.

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  Can believe its a hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By danik1978 - January 5 - 5:17 pm

  If someone told me 3 years ago i would be driving a hyundai i would laugh in their face, but I am not laughing anymore. I am flat out impressed. After 10 years of running a nissan/subaru dealership i have seen and driven them all. When my legacy lease was up i looked at 6 different cars - Civic, Corolla, Sentra, Elantra, Mazda 3 and Cruze. Impreza would have been on a list too but it was too expensive for my limited budget. I wanted something roomy (i am 60 and got two kids in boosters), economic, safe, stylish, nicely equipt and inexpensive. Sounds like impossible task? Elantra delivered and then some. its eqiupt like a 40 grand car, gas milage is superb. Car looks sharp. Way to go hyundai!!

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  Best bank for the buck - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By frank_pendle - January 5 - 4:20 pm

  This car blows away the competition. Ive had my share of 5-series BMWs, an Inifiniti and a Lexus. None of these compares to the Genesis comfort, refinement, engine response, interior elegance, ride quality and - especially - price. If you can get over the fact that youre driving a Hyundai, youll find that no car this side of a Mercedes 5-series, BMW 7-series or a LS 460 can compare with it.

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  Hyundai is going to sell a zillion of these! - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By cdavidhess - January 1 - 9:16 pm

  I have had my Elantra for 2 weeks and driven over 1500 miles. I am thrilled with this car! Its interior is larger than a Nissan Maxima. Its fuel economy is better than a Honda Fit. My worst tank has been 25.8 mpg (all city driving). My best tank has been 39.6 mpg (highway, 70 mph). Performance is peppy. The ride is comfortable. The car handles WV curvy, hilly 2 lanes with aplomb. The automatic transmission is a jewel! It is smooth and responsive. The 4 wheel disc brakes turned a potentially disastrous collision with a deer into a mild bump. The car, inside and out, appears more expensive than it is. The switch gear has a nice feel. The seats are all day comfortable. Noise is unobtrusive.

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  Wow...what a great car - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By oleman - December 22 - 7:31 pm

  Great car at a great price. I am averaging 35mpg so far and that is combined. Great warranty and a great looking car with a quiet ride and really nice leather seat heated front and rear.

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  Best Little Car! - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By 2010_hyundai - December 19 - 1:46 pm

  After owning my F250 Ford Crew Cab with a 460 gas burner, it has been nice to get the bleeding stopped. I looked at this car many times. I also looked at the Toyota Yaris. I kept coming back to the Accent because I felt the quality was the same and the price was better. I am so pleased with everything about this car. It drives so smooth. I love the simplicity too. I plan to have this car for a long time. Its all I need in a car. The interior has a high quality feel and look to it. Lots of little storage compartments. The back seat can fit 2 adults comfortably. I may have cruise control added later.

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  Great MPG/Great Bang for the Buck - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By rkovach51 - December 18 - 5:21 am

  Love it.I bought my 2003 Elantra 5-speed manual w/35,000 miles in March 2003 from the dealership have 7000 more miles on it. (Hyundai is THE benchmark for customer service in this market!!!). I get 31+ mpg city/hwy and 33+ mpg on freeway travel from Chicago to Northern Ohio at 75+ mph. Great car! Room enough for the single person or small family great handling heater brings up good heat in cold weather within 1/2 mile or so front SIDE airbags. A little noisy in the manual 5-speed. Runs remarkably smooth on mid-priced tires (Barum Tires). Caution: It does take a crowbar and body builder to yank the tire off the wheel! I would buy a new (and now larger) Elantra in a heartbeat. Enjoy.

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  Happy owner! - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By k14k - December 17 - 11:21 am

  bought Elantra GLS on 12-14-10, and love it. Handles great, averages in high 30s on fuel overall, and looks very sharp. Would like more power, but its good enough, and is the tradeoff for great fuel economy, which matters more to me.

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  Very Good Buy - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Anonymous - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 2006 Sonata LX in April of 2007. It had about 3,000 miles on it. Since then Ive driven it nearly 35,000 miles. This car has performed well and has had very minimal problems. The ride is great and the acceleration is more than adequate. The only service I have done to it besides regular maintenance was: power mirror replacement(under warr.), brake light sensor (under warr.), passenger sun visor broke(under warr.). I also had to replace some air valve in the engine due to stink bugs crawling up inside it...ugh. Thats nothing against the car tho. Overall, I love this car and its been very reliable. Would definately consider buying again!!