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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  2002 Elantra VE - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Chris Mathews - March 7 - 9:18 pm

  I purchased this vehicle used (lease return)with 83300kms on the clock. It has exceeded all my expectations. The only trouble I have had was the failure of the front speed sensor on the auto transmission. It would not let it shift to 3rd gear. I was able to drive at 80kph to the dealer where it was replaced. The transmission shifts beautifully. I plan on another Hyundai as my next vehicle, and I highly recommend it to anyone who asks.The only downside for me is the control for the cruise. It is not as convenient to use as the buttons on the steering wheel used by other manufacturers.

• 

  great car - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By TW - March 7 - 7:38 pm

  Never had any trouble with this car, I did change the timing belt at about 60000 miles and do timely maintenance as recommended. I would buy this car again.

• 

  Got Struck with this - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By adam - March 7 - 3:30 pm

  Terrible Fuel Economy 15 in city .dash compartment fixed in one month springs gone bad. Head light assembly fixed due to mist /fog build up after 80 miles only.

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  Not happy at first! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Phill - March 7 - 2:22 pm

  My opinion of Hyundai shifted from very postive to less than happy within three weeks of buying this car. This was due to experiencing starting difficulties with the Azera which the dealer was unable to diagnose since the on board computer did not show an issue. I was confidently told by the dealer that this was the only problem that an Azera had displayed in the whole country! However, after several days of in-shop time and frantic calls to their HQ a fix was discovered and for the past month the car has performed flawlessly. I am now approaching complete satisfaction with the vehicle. A very nice car. Docile enough around town but nimble enough for rush hour freeway driving.

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  Nice! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Phil - March 7 - 8:16 am

  Can not beat the price, this car in an equivalant Honda or Toyota would have costed $3,000 to $4,000 more and doesnt even come with roadside assistance nor 5 year warranty.

• 

  One swell car - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Zoots Best Buddy - March 6 - 4:56 pm

  My wife and I test drove the Toyota Matrix and Corolla, Honda Fit and Civic, and various used Subarus. This was the absolute best combination of interior space, looks, price, value and warranty coverage. After the first 2500 miles, were more convinced than ever we made the right decision.

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  Hyundai Rules - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By dan mcneill - March 6 - 3:36 pm

  I am thoroughly enjoying my new Hyundai Sonata and encourage everyone to test drive this innovative and spacious car.

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  Watch Out - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By kwiff1939 - March 6 - 3:28 am

  quality of leather poor, color off on driver seat back within three months. replacement has same problem. dealership will not replace again. driver door weather seal poor. wore away within few months. replaced one time only. replacement worn out as well. same problem existed on 2002 elantra. replaced three times before trading car in.too many ordinary wear and tear answers. headlight and battery replaced under warranty. hyundai usa will not help. states that the district manager has last say. gas milage poor compared to other similar makes.

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  problems with throttle sensor - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By liza - March 5 - 11:10 pm

  I have had the car for approx 3 years now. At about the 42,000 mile mark the car developed a problem. While driving the car the rpm suddenly started revving up and dropping back down. The car lunges forward on its own, then jerks backward. It lunges back and forth as you drive. Wasnt able to make it home. Had the car towed. Dealer said it was the throttle sensor. Fixed it. The car worked for 3 months then developed the same problem. Had it towed again. Same problem. This happened again 3 months later. Im actually starting to fear driving this car. If Im on the highway when this happens I could get killed. Im considering getting rid of the car and getting something else.

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  Steering Problems! Think before you buy. - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By acrossley - March 5 - 3:43 pm

  Overall, this car is not worth buying. Plagued with rattles and wind noise right off the lot, and more importantly, the steering. The Sonatas steering is entirely too sensitive and requires constant correction on the highway. Dont let the dealer tell you its because it has electric power steering, this is not why something is wrong with the steering. Go drive another car with electric power steering and you will find it to be worlds more comfortable to control than the Sonata. My arm is literally tired from keeping it in a straight line. If you go on a test drive, try staying in the middle of your lane; it is impossible. This steering problem is a safety issue.