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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  Cant go wrong - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By WORLDBFREE - August 26 - 7:47 am

  This is my 3rd Hyundai, just sold my 2002 Elantra with 193k miles - bought it new. I looked at Civics, Focus, Fiesta, Mazda 2 and 3 plus Subaru. I qualified for $3000 in rebates. I just bought a 2010 Elantra GLS PZEV, automatic with cargo net and mat for #13,100 plus tax, tags and docs. The sticker was like $17,870. You can buy other cars but $3-4k more. I own a 2008 Sonata with 62k miles. Hyundais are reliable.

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  Perfect car - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By fred - August 25 - 12:34 pm

  I traded in a 2005 Accent (that I bought new also) on this car a year ago. This car is even better than the 2005 was. Solid quality in and out, superb warranty, fun to drive, economical, and sharp-looking. I love the hatchback. My wife and I just returned from a 4000 mile vacation with no problems. For the trip, I removed the rear seats to make even more cargo room! Fantastic automobile that handles very well.

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  Still going strong at 116,000 miles - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By runner_chick - August 24 - 4:43 pm

  I bought my car 4 years ago and I have only replaced the ambient air sensor (warranty work) and an O2 sensor (out of warranty) my only complaint at the moment is that my steering wheel is coming apart. I has been such a great car. Recently made a 4,000+ mile road trip and not one problem. Average 36 mpg on the highway and 28 in town. Just need to figure out why i am going through oil a little faster than normal. Definitely a good car and highly recommended!

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  Love my GS - 2000 Hyundai Accent
  By jimh - August 24 - 4:33 pm

  Bought new as a drive-to-work car. Had 2 minor problems long ago-throttle sensor and driver window motor. Fast fixes under warranty. Ive treated it well and it has returned the favor. This is not a race car nor an SUV so you cant abuse it. I suspect this is where most oil and other problems come from. Changed oil every 3-5K, the timing belt at 45K service. Clutch pedal throwout bearing started minor chattering at 65K. Warranty covered and dealer did clutch (not needed but did it while warranty covered disassembly and reassembly). Wont set records but accelerates just fine. 33 mpg city, 36- 43mpg highway depending on grade of gas. Age is setting in but it is still strong. Never leaked.

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  Now I am concerned! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By liss - August 24 - 12:48 am

  I purchased the Sonata on May 28th of this year. I was ecstatic about the value and what I got for the money! I have owned an Accent in the past, and LOVED it until I was rear-ended and it was totaled. My daughter also owned an Accent. I dont put much mileage on the car as I am disabled. I just recently hit the 1,000 mile mark (since May!) This car is wonderful! I couldnt have made a better choice. I will, however, have the rear brakes checked tomorrow when I take the baby in for routine maintenance. BOTTOM LINE: Great Car!

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  Excessive road noise inside - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By CALIFGUY - August 22 - 4:39 pm

  Ive had my 2008 Azera for 9 months, and have noticed the road noise inside the car to be very loud, compared to the 2006 Azera I still own, and my wife drives. I have adjusted the tire pressure on the Michelin tires, and still see no improvement. Both cars have the exact same tires, and maintain the same tire pressure. The dealer says "it is what it is", and couldnt explain why both cars would vary so much in road noise. I still have 1000s of miles wear left on these tires, and hope when the time comes to replace them, it will make a difference

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  Love it! - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By jrpath - August 22 - 12:44 pm

  So glad we chose this wonderful car. We traded in a 2008 BMW 328I for this and are so happy with the space, XM stereo, price and smoother ride.

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  As Good as a Genesis - 2011 Hyundai Azera
  By Jim Exum - August 20 - 5:31 pm

  This car is better than a German and much less expensive with a superior warranty. Very elegant.

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  My Hyundai Genesis - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By triple c parker - August 19 - 2:11 pm

  The car is a real beauty, with lots of nice features, the sound system is great, the gas mileage on the highway is exactly what is on the sticker. My only complaint so far is with the leather seats. I have had the car for 1 month, and have put on 1700 miles, and the drivers seating surface is stretched, and appears puffy, not tightly stretched like when i bought it. I took it back to a dealer, and the service manager showed other vehicles with the same leather seats doing the same thing. I would think for the price of the vehicle, the leather seating would not look sloppy and loose in such a short time. The dealer I bought the vehicle from was great to deal with.

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  Sonata is THE Best car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Donna - August 19 - 6:43 am

  Sonata is THE Best car even-though I used to have Mercedes and Lexus.