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:

• 

  Hyundai #9 - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Jeff - February 26 - 3:19 pm

  Excellent quality and value for the dollar. Performs well in town and on the highway with great MPG. Styling and options equal to BMW and Lexus. Turns peoples heads and they ask "What kind of car is that"? This is my ninth Hyundai and I love-em.

• 

  Clutch-death, Best Warrantly? - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bob - February 26 - 11:10 am

  There is a reason Hyundai does not cover the clutch...it goes out, soon and they know it. Ours went out at 60k and the dealer said it is not covered since a clutch is a wearable part. I said, a defective and very expensive part which is not covered under "Americas Best Warranty?" If you dont have a problem with a $900 bill to fix your clutch, buy a Hyundai. Else read the fine print on the warranty. Because of this, we will not buy another Hyundai.

• 

  Awsome Car - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Josh - February 26 - 8:23 am

  This car is great, it has good gas milage, reliablity is flawless, its very fun, its fastit turns heads as you drive by, it sounds nice, and is very exotic looking, inside and out. I would highly recommend this car. You cant go wrong with the Hyundai warrenty. You most definatley get more for your money, I got mine for 15300 out the door, and all my friends envy me. I am very happy with this car, thank Hyundai!

• 

  Very Fast, Quiet Engine, Smooth Ride - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Love it - February 26 - 3:33 am

  This car rides very good, very fast too, got a lot of power. I had a hard time adjusting my foot on the pedal, because it moves very fast. Other than that, the A/C is so powerful, big trunk space and lots of features. But its really a good ride.

• 

  One of the finest cars for the price! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By carfanattic - February 26 - 1:06 am

  I traded in my 2004 Honda Accord EX V-6 for the Hyundai because it looked as if it would be a good buy. I was skeptical, but having it now for a little bit, I can say it was the best move Ive made! I have a Mercedes sitting next to it in the garage, and the Hyundai gets more WOWs by my friends! The ride is unbelievably smooth in the city, its quick on the highway, the interior is comfortable beyond belief, and very refined for a foreign car. I would have never thought that a Hyundai could be so good! I have owned a Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon, and I would recommend the Azera over those two very similar vehicles!

• 

  Main bearings let loose. - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By Robert Sarti - February 25 - 2:01 pm

  Updated my review... I have own multiple vehicles over the years. I average 100 miles a day just going to my office. I also drive that vehicle for my job. I average about 35,000 miles a year. I have never gotten rid of any before 250,000 miles and never had any major issues with any of my previous vehicles. At 103,000 miles in this 2013 Sonata, the main bearing burnt up. Originally I was told my a mechanic that it was the oil pump. (Took it a different place to have the engine replaced.) The engine has been burning oil since 40,000, at 60,000 the engine starting chattering. The transmission has been slipping since 80,000 miles. Ive heard that Hyundais engineering/manufacturing has come a long way, but they still have a long way to go. As soon as I replace the oil pump, its getting traded in for anything but a Hyundai or Kia.

• 

  08 Santa Fe - Love it! - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Reesemurphy - February 25 - 11:56 am

  Had my vehicle for over a month now, and I LOVE it. Nice interior, nice ride, great style - especially for the price. You just cant beat this spacious SUV and its 10 year warranty. It has a luxury feel with an affordable price. Beats Saturn Vue, Honda CRV and Toyota Rav 4 in all areas. Great family vehicle!

• 

  Vibration - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ken - February 25 - 6:56 am

  I now have 3000 miles on my 2008 LTD. The car is great for design, both interior and exterior. The only problem is a vibration between 45 - 75 MPH. It is not the tires or wheels and Hyundai service has not been able to locate the problem. I rode tested other 2008 Santa Fes and have noticed the same problem. Has anyone else run into this problem?

• 

  Vehicle review - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jennifer H. - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I am been really pleased with my vehicle. Excellent warranty and seems to be well made. Standards features are wonderful. A bit of a gas hog. Overall, it is a great car for the money.

• 

  Good So Far - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chambers - February 24 - 6:10 pm

  Purchased new in Feb 06. Price was great, dealer was willing to negotiate when we told him we were cross shopping Hondas and Toyotas. Avg MPG 25, which is good for that V6, it moves. Crack in dashboard at 4k, passanger seat replaced due to rattle at 8k, oil leak fixed at 12k...little worried about the quality. Have had more issues than wifes 99 Camry with 170k on it. God Bless the waranty and cross your fingers. This is our first Hyundai purchase and so far would purchase another if the price is right.