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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  Ultra-Reliable, Great Purchase - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By balconyinthesun - June 17 - 12:37 pm

  Bought this car in 2007, so it was 4 years old with about 70K kilometers on it. So far, there has been NO major work needed. This car starts immediately in -40 degree Celsius weather, a better track record than our 2005 Volks Jetta which needs to be boosted at least twice each winter. This car is pushed really hard with many road trips carrying full loads. Fuel economy is better than our other car, so we take this one on long road trips. There is no a/c, no power anything, but that means that any repair costs are much lower. Were having issues with the wiper motors right now, but we live spitting distance from freight trains, so there may be tons of dirt. Overall, I LOVE this car.

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  80% - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By MissMissouri - June 16 - 3:03 pm

  I seem to have had the same experience as Mrs Barrett. Bought @ 25,000, currently @ 85,000. I run synthetic oil, keep up all maintenance religiously, and overall take care of my car. About 1000 miles ago (2 month.), I was driving home from work and my radiator reservoir tank blew a leak. It scared me. I was on cruise control late at night and suddenly I hear a loud POP and I see steam escaping out of the back of the car. The next day, and $500 later, I have a whole new radiator (reservoir tank alone cannot be replaced w/o changing the radiator!).

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  Love My Sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Charles P - June 15 - 12:34 am

  Love this car. Also own Lincoln Town Car. 72,900 on it now and have only replaced the headlights (3 times) but I drive with them on all the time. Bought it 2 yr old with 18,000 miles and it has not whimpered one time. Car cruises at 75-80 on a regular basis, the ac is always cold, suspension is tight and I have only replaced tires and a battery. Use it as the community car when company comes and they love it. Even the BMW and Audi owner. The car is heavy for its size and hugs the road. Did a 3500 mile road trip without fail, no issues. It gets about 26 mpg and growls when you really romp it.

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  Luxury & Performance at This Price? - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Thomas - June 14 - 3:02 pm

  My last 2 cars were an Infiniti and previously, an Acura. I go through cars every 3 years by choice so Im pretty discriminating. After replacing my wifes SUV last year with a Hyundai Veracruz, we really fell in love with Hyundai. So when it came time to give up my G35, I was excited about the new Genesis. I looked at BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus, but like the Veracruz, I am shocked and overwhelmed by the level of luxury appointments, features, and performance that you get for the money in the Genesis. Family and friends that know how much I like cars were shocked when I came home with a Hyundai. But after one ride, I have many of them asking me for the salesmans name at the dealership!

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  Beautiful Car - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By SouthDakotaGuy - June 13 - 5:33 pm

  I bought this car used at a really good price. I was impressed with its handling on the road. The only problem is the ESC is worthless in mud and snow. I live in South Dakota and I find it to be a great car on the highway and in town, but would not recommend it off road. This car has great gas mileage and starts up wonderful.

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  Long-term Update - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By TNCPA - June 13 - 8:34 am

  Ride quality appears to be the most negative comment by owners. Replacing the Dunlop OEM tires with Pirelli Pzero Neros ) at (13,000 miles) essentially solved any harsh ride issues that I had with car. The change in the handling and ride quality has been simply amazing.

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  Honest Review - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By jnall321 - June 11 - 12:36 am

  Ive had my car for about 3 months now. I got this after my 97 Saturn SL1 bit the dust. Overall I LOVE my car! About 2 months after I got it, an idiot on his phone slammed on the brakes and when I hit him, the bumper of his SUV popped my grill in and dented my hood. Repairs shouldnt be horrific. Exterior is great, love the rear. Interior is average. Nothing special. Tape player? REALLY? My 97 had CD stock! Handles very well, brakes arent super sensitive. Fun to drive! Fits 2 car seats very easily. Solid body-no flimsy fiberglass. Overall I LOVE this little car! I payed far too much through the dealer, but thats life...Overall very pleased. Great for daily driver!

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  21,000+ miles in 9 months - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jeff WV - June 9 - 11:57 am

  This is my first Hyundai, and I love the car. It is well built, and gets the advertised mpg. On the trip computer my avg is 31.4 mpg. I mostly drive highway. It handles very well, especially compared to its competitors, I love the stick shift, tight shifter, short throws. Very roomy, even for four adults. Low road noise, but the back window creaks when I go over odd bumps, like pulling out of a steep driveway. Otherwise no problems, and would definitely recommend. I will buy from Hyundai again, and would recommend the same to anyone. Did great in the snow for a low sitting car with low profile tires.

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  Hu - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By Hyundai - June 9 - 9:06 am

  I just purchased a new 2010 Hyundai from Rock River Hyundai in Rockford, IL. I really like the car. It drives well. Its sporty looking and comfortable. I really like the option of extending the warranty to cover almost everything for 100,000 miles along w/ the powertrain coverage. I just purchased the car this Saturday so Im just beginning the journey. I worked w/ wonderful people at Rock River Ford especially Pat Carter so I have assurance of good people standing behind their product. Thats a good feeling. Thanks Hyundai for standing behind your product!

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  185,000 miles and still going strong! - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Blondie - June 8 - 12:57 pm

  I bought my car used in 2002 and have not had any problems with it whatsoever except the front middle console lid breaking off since I bought it. I have 185,000 miles on my car and have never had anything go wrong with it (knock on wood). I would highly recommend this car to any commuter. Best car Ive ever owned. If Hyundai made an AWD car instead of the larger SUVs Id go out and buy one in a heartbeat!