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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  Regretful - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By jmk1109 - June 17 - 2:47 pm

  I purchased this car mainly for the fuel economy. My 60 miles per day of driving to and from work only get me 32 mpg. I did get 40 driving from Harrisburg, PA to Pittsburgh, though. My biggest disappointment about the car is the steering. I blow around on the highway when there are strong wind gusts. The handling is horrible and I feel like I cant even control my car. I feel unsafe. My tire also blew out while on the highway - and to my surprise there was no spare tire. I cant believe Hyundai doesnt make it standard to provide its customers with a spare! I regret buying the car and I would rather pay more money for gas in a less efficient car than drive a car that is unsafe.

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  Best car Ive owned in my 39 years! - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By greywethr - June 16 - 6:37 pm

  I bought one for $10,000 w/29k miles. I wrecked it at 142k miles. At 40mph, I T-boned an SUV, and it still started, but Esurance totaled it. :( The water pump died at around 80k, covered. Between 100k & 142k, I replaced the front wheel bearings in 2011 (I drove offroad a few times), battery, alternator, rear brake calipers. Thats it, nothing else major went wrong. Minor things the past year or two, tape deck died, radio display flickers (I have Sirius, so that doesnt matter), antenna only goes half-way up.

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  No Spare Tire, Give me a break. - 2012 Hyundai Accent
  By gilb - June 15 - 6:38 pm

  After we got a flat about 100 miles from home, late at night, I discovered that the car didnt come with a spare tire or donut. Spent a fun filled night at a motel dive waiting for the tire store to open the next morning. Id like to know who the genius is at Hyundai that made the decision that a spare tire shouldnt be a standard item in their vehicles. This should be illegal. At least I now know what type of car I wont be buying next time.

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  Good comfort, reliability, economics, value - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By jay_laz - June 14 - 8:25 pm

  I purchased this vehicle in 2002 with 15,000 miles from the original owners estate. It presently has about 50,000 miles, including 4 cross-country trips from SFO to ORD and back. Hyundai reported no warranty claims prior to my ownership, and Ive had none. Owner 1 did only basic maintenence, according to Hyundai records, and Ive done the same: oil and filter, coolant, trans and filter, battery, tires. Its a solid, comfortable, reliable, economical and completely practical car, and its served me well for nearly 10 years. Its not as much fun to drive as my Miata, but I cant carry lumber on a roof rack of a Miata. Ill gladly purchase another Sonata, with even better value.

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  cant complain - lots of car for the money - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By bubber1 - June 13 - 2:51 pm

  I got a great deal on a 2012 genesis with the premium package - just a hair over $34k. After I got done pricing out an Exl Accord, the choice was simple. This car is loaded -- fantastic sound system, great navigation, adjustable lumbar support, upgraded leather, huge backseat and trunk. Really like driving this car. Its slick and classy looking without looking too sports car-like. I got the rebadging package to add the genesis wings to everything, which looks better IMO. Ive been getting about 23 average on MPG, which is worse than my old 4 cylinder Honda but not that much worse, and better than most V6 cars. Tops out at 29 on freeway.

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  Genesis Sedan 3.8L V-6, loaded - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By boilergonzo - June 12 - 11:08 am

  Test drove BMW 3/5 series, Audi A4/6, Mercedes C/E, Infiniti G/M, Lexus IS/E/G, and bought the Genesis. If dollars were equal, I would now own a loaded BMW 535, A6, Infiniti M37, or MB E350. The challenge became the incredible value of the not-so-prestigious Hyundai! Heated and Cooled seats (not ventilated... COOLED!), back-up camera, Lexicon sound system (AMAZING!!!), HID directional lights, auto-hold brakes, adaptive cruise control... if you can live without brand prestige, the value of this car is off the charts! 20,000 miles, zero problems, accelerates very strong, drives great, and I love it. No regrets at all. Would absolutely buy it again!

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  Just bought a 3.8 Genesis Sedan - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By ibuy4u - June 10 - 12:28 pm

  I was skeptical of Hyundai just like you. I wouldnt even look in the direction of this brand before BUT in these times...if your credit is shot due to the economy and cant get the car you drove before or want then this might be the car for you. After driving the Genesis I was pleasantly surprised! 3 main factors that caught my attention. Driveablity, Technology and Accessories. It drove like a cream puff. Smooth "very" smooth engine and tranny with kick when you need it. Technology available is just as good and plentiful as the rest with BMW and Audi hand controls. Accesories you would normaly have to buy as an option is included in the Genesis. Great value and warranty for the buck!

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  Best value for the buck - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By anwarma - June 9 - 7:40 am

  I get 38 mpg easily on highway but if you drive like maniac with aggresive driving style with frequent rapid acceleration then dont expect high fuel economy. I easily 32 in the city but then my commute to work is very small and most of the time car sits on Metra train parking lot.I do have one disappointment, the leather on the steering wheel is coming off and I have made a claim but looks like Hyundai is still working on a permanent solution and has told me that I will be contacted once the new steering wheel is shipped to the dealer for installation. Otherwise a superb car for the price. Kudos to Hyundai for learning from their mistakes to build a amazing machine.

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  Huge Disappointment - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By illinoisbear - June 6 - 9:18 pm

  I bought this car for one reason: fuel economy. I wanted a car that actually delivers 40 mpg on the highway. Imagine my disappointment that this car actually got 30.45 miles per gallon on a recent 200-mile trip. Tell me Im a bad driver or whatever, but 30.45 is a far cry from 40. Oh, Im right around 3,000 miles. This car replaced a 2003 Saturn L200 that was getting 30-32 mpg mostly in town with some highway mileage. Im extremely disappointed in this car. Wish Id read the reviews before buying.

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  Never again - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By jancielubert - June 4 - 10:09 pm

  I have never gotten the 40 MPG touted by Hyundai. Best mileage is 33. Also the cloth seats are impossible to clean and Hyundai dealer wont try to clean the seat, they say it will cause a stain. When parking you cannot see the front end in relationship to the parking spot and the same with the rear. It is hard to get into the front seats without hitting your head. I am only 52". The car did not come with a spare that had to be purchased fo $300.00. They include a pump for flats but if you have a side puncture, it wont work. This is my second Hyundai and I am planning on selling it as soon as possible. Bluetooth is not compatible with all phones.