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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  I love my Azera - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Ken - October 5 - 4:35 pm

  I bought this car from auction with 12300 miles. Ive driven it from Kansas to Canada, and loved every minute of the trip. We got about 28 mpg on the interstate, and about 27 over-all on the trip. Im 6 and about 220 lbs, and find the car to be very comfortable, something I was worried about. I cant believe how quiet it is, whether on the road, or just idling in the driveway. The sound system is quite nice, and the driving controls are very handy and easy to get used to. Ive owned two Lincolns and would rate the Azera right with them for much less money. It beats the Accord I owned by a mile. You might not want this car if you care what other people think.

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  Defective transmissions and poor ride - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By dbqfan - October 5 - 2:37 pm

  I have had the transmission replaced twice in my 2010 Santa Fe. The new transmission has the same problems and Hyundai will not fix it. They have to "replicate" the problem which is there way of not fixing it. I have never had a car with this many problems in 50 years of buying cars. The dealer is just as bad as Hyundai. The vehicle has many squeaks and rattles which shows poor build quality. The GPS unit is useless in cold weather as you can not see the screen. This is the last non American car I will buy. Poor quality as the floor carpet is just cardboard covered with a poor quality fuzzy material.

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  Awesome vehicle - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By ddiverd - October 5 - 4:46 am

  I received the first hybrid Sonata to be sold in New York state. I immediately bonded with this car, it is one of the best vehicles I have driven, given the type. The styling is great and I will be using it to commute on a daily basis. The ride is firm, but also tight, handling is straight on. I traded a 2007 Camry, and it far surpasses that car. The interior fit and finish is superb, with brushed aluminum accents on the door and dash. The car looks like a much more expensive ride, and is styled differently than a regular Sonata. I wanted this car ever since I saw it in Motor trend. Averaging 39.5 mpg at this time, on the road and 35.5 in the city. Amazing car, leaves the Prius in the dust.

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  My Sonata Hybrid is a major disappointment - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By bnaiman - October 5 - 1:37 am

  I previously had a Toyota Camry Hybrid that I consistanly got 31 mpg in town. My new Sonata gives me about 22 to 24 mpg. I have had it in 3 times and they always tell me that everything is performing as it should and that I am the only one who has complained. I was also told by a mechanic that I could do just as well with the regular Sonata for les money. I made a terrible mistake in buying this car but for them to tell me that they have not had any complaints is an insult.

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  Happy with purchase - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Recommend - October 4 - 10:00 pm

  Wish I had the V6. However, I got a great performing 162hp 4 cyl. w/ excellent MPG and price paid was below invoice. Cost savings offset my preference of V6. I must be a performance oriented driver. 2nd wish: Stiffer suspension. Im not looking for stiff suspension. I would prefer variable rate resistance that increases when the springs and shocks reach compression. It would improve cornering on rounded on-ramps. Interior noise levels could be quieter. Depending on road surface, noisier than expected on anything but smooth surface roadways. Still, satisfactory. Overall, a GREAT car. The foregoing are acceptible consequences of cars budget orientation. Terrific car!Happy overall.

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Finetooner - October 4 - 2:51 pm

  Thus far, it does practically everything better than any similar car I have owned. It is loaded with amenities, has a huge backseat, is peppy, handles very well, and has been dead-reliable. It is an ideal commute car...very nimble, meneuverable, and squeezes into places other cars cant. Yet, it cruises the interstate with ease and is very steady and predictable. Drawbacks? Very few but here are a couple: It eats high and low beam lights. The CD player is inop and AM reception is poor. Wow, thats about it. A great little car and a great value.

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  Nice while it lasted - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Liz - October 4 - 1:17 pm

  My 2001 Hyundai Elantra has just 65000 miles on. I have done regular maintenance, including just doing all of the manufacturer suggested 60000 mile maintenance. Now, at just 5000 miles out of warranty (I am the second owner, bought it at 18000 miles), it has a cracked piston!!! This repair is estimated at 2000. I called Hyundai and they said there is nothing they can do for me. I have enjoyed the car and have had few problems with it up until now, but PLEASE a car should go at least 100,000 without having any major problems like this. What a rip off. I have also been very disappointed with the cheap paint on the car that degrades under any sort of pressure (bird poop).

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  Worth the price - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bekka - October 3 - 9:28 pm

  I bought the car @ 64K from my sister, the original owner. I really had no major problems with this car until about 128K, and even in the past 3K miles Ive had to replace (the original!) timing belt, serpentine belt, upper ball joint and crankshaft pulley (which I think was mechanics fault) I had several things replaced by the warranty, no problems-the most major one was the alternator. I think that the transmission is starting to go, and the performance has dropped a lot now, but @ 131K for a less expensive sedan, I dont think its that bad. Up until 125K I absolutely adored this car, worry-free.

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  Big Car Like Ride and Quietness - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Paul Cherubini - October 3 - 6:07 pm

  I travel alot and rent cars alot and I was truely amazed by ride comfort and quietness of this 2017 Elantra. On Portland, Oregons coarse and inherently noisy freeway road surfaces the ride was remarkably free of excessive road noise and vibration - definately better than any other midsize car I have driven (Corolla, Sentra, Focus, etc). The front seats were larger and better padded than any of those other cars too. And the front seats felt roomier (Im 62" and 250 lbs and did not feel cramped). The instrumental was more complete (gauge type tachometer, engine temp, fuel level). The engine is so well insulated against noise that its barely audible when accelerating moderately around town. The car was easy to control at freeway speeds even during 30-45 mph crosswinds. The suspension soaks up sharp road bumps well without the uncomfortable stiffness of most new cars nowadays. I used to think the Toyota Corolla was the most comfortable and refined Asian midsize car, but the 2017 Elantra has clearly surpassed it - and by a long shot.

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  BMW Replacement - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dallas - October 3 - 3:39 pm

  I traded in my BMW 328i for this Elantra and I really couldnt be happier. I do miss the luxury of the BMW, but I love the gas economy of this Elantra. I am getting about 38 MPG combined city/highway. The comfort is very nice and the interior is put together very well. Just yesterday I drove this car through very heavy rain (it was practically a monsoon), but I didnt lose traction even once while going in excess of 75mph through standing water. I have owned a Honda, Acura, Ford, BMW, and now a Hyundai, but I would put the Hyundai at the top of the list because of its handling, reliability, and gas mileage.