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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  I loved my Elantra! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By pagan_born87 - April 13 - 1:38 am

  This was my first car and I got it back in 2006 with 110,000 miles on it. Drove it back and forth from WV to VA and never had a problem with it, it handled great and got really good milage (a full tank could get me from VA beach to the mountains just fine!). It was really reliable and the only things Ive ever had to replace on it was the timing belt and recently the battery (at around 147,000 miles). It was recently totaled (the front end pan caked but that was my fault!) and I miss it a lot. I loved it so much I find myself looking to trade in the fantasy kia I got so I can buy another Elantra. It is a really great car and I would recomend it to anyone!

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  Loving My Hyundai in Hawaii - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By 808hyundai - April 11 - 11:34 pm

  After doing research I drove a few cars which I will not name to save them embarrassment and settled on the Hyundai GLS (Desert Bronze w/Preferred Package) without reservation. Ive had the car for one month and 1000 miles. It continues to impress me as well as turn heads. Many people have asked me what kind of car Im driving or theyre surprised its a Hyundai. The car has a quiet interior, rides comfortably and drives great in the horrible Honolulu traffic, a definite plus! Surprisingly I am averaging 32 all purpose miles per gallon, even with the A/C on. I am thoroughly pleased with the car and everything it offers. The other compact cars in this class need to be worried!

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  Elantra save my life - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By auntdawnie8 - April 10 - 10:48 pm

  3/21/12, I totaled my 2008 Elantra. Seatbelts and airbags saved me life.

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  2012 Azera with Tech - 2012 Hyundai Azera
  By samborambo1 - April 9 - 1:37 pm

  It has been a week since i picked up the new Azera and so far it has been a pleasant experience. I have only purchased Japanese premium brands until now. I was looking for a large sedan or a CUV (I have a two year old boy) for greater space for the family. I looked into Avalon, Edge, Explorer, Venza, etc but none of these cars could even come close to matching the amenities and the build quality that of the new Azera. I have to give it to the hyundai for vastly improving and becoming one of the market leaders in many areas including build quality, warranty, reliability, etc. Overall I am quite satisified with the purchase.

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  Excellent. - 2012 Hyundai Accent
  By accent12 - April 8 - 2:17 am

  I love this car. The quality, value, performance, styling and efficiency are first rate for the class. It doesnt even hydroplane. It took a while to break it in to get the best fuel efficiency - 3,000 miles. It averages anywhere from 35-45 m.p.g. The shiftronic is fun to use. The highest m.p.g. is attainable @ 60 m.p.h. on a highway with the cruise control on. It will get 40 m.p.g., by slowly getting up to speed. I wont even post the highest numbers because it will make the Prius and competitors look bad. Leave eco-mode on if you want the highest efficiency. Driving it the fastest I couldnt get less than 28 m.p.g. This is the best car Ive ever owned. I recommend it over Fords Ive owned.

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  Meh - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By joetshmoe - April 5 - 11:46 pm

  Personally, I think my boxers are nothing more than a piece of fabric between my body and my zipper. Try telling that to someone that just spent $50 on underwear. If you have a similar attitude towards your car, as a piece of metal between the road and your bum, this will satisfy you. The car has plenty of power for a 4 cyl sedan, more than the 0-60 time leads you to believe, because the transmission is so slushy that you can spin the front wheels at will thanks to a 2000-rpm spread between cruise and go. Textbook slushbox. The steering and directional stability are horrible. The interior fabric still smells like cigs in very hot sun over a year after ONE cigarette was smoked in it.

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  Bought for warranty - 2012 Hyundai Accent
  By redsedan - April 3 - 8:24 pm

  I bought this car for the warranty. I had good luck with my last Accent (2003) and hope to have as good luck with this one. However, I much prefer my 2003 Accent over the 2012 one.

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  Best buy. - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By flyhigh2 - April 3 - 3:07 pm

  Test drove 2012 model sedans of the following: Acura TL, BMW 5, LExus 350, Hyundai Genesis, Infinity G37, Audi A4.... purchase the Genesis. heres why: Quiet... felt better than ES 350 and unlike the Infinity since I dont want to sit on top of a chariot, riding the highways and hear the engine. Comfort... seats, lumbar support adjustments, heated, head room, leg room I am 64... you get the picture Open... most spacious and largest of all the other models, very comfortable on long drives. Performance... Quick, love the comute to work. I feel the speed, acceleration and dont hear the noise. Gadgets... everything that I need. located in the right places Looks... front, back, inside

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  I replaced a Saab with this and I wont be looking back - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By captainbrown - March 31 - 4:55 pm

  I needed something cheap, practical, and reliable and I got it. This car has two dominant personalities. The first is a sensible car for the average adult. Gas economy is on par with 2009, the ride quality is exceptionally smooth for a compact, and the cabin is quiet and spacious in town and on the freeway. However, under the surface the 2009 Elantra is one of the funnest rides you can get for an MSRP under $20,000. I would compare it to a go cart. Its nimble, quick, and firmly planted. Unlike the 2011 Elantra, the steering is connected, responsive, and no matter how you drive it, she wants more. Give it an honest test drive, because you have to drive it to experience it.

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  My 2004 Accent - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By jann6 - March 31 - 11:38 am

  I bought mt Accent in 2005 as a new car. It has never let me down, I now have 126,000 plus kilometres. I have always serviced it at 7500 kilometres or every 6 months and have had no trouble. The only thing that worries me is that the tyres wear out a lot faster than other cars I have had, I am onto my 4th set of new tyres, maybe I should have had more wheel balances done, I think this could be a downer. Still it is a great car and I would recommend it to anyone seeking a used car. ps it is a manual and my 17 yr old daughter has found it really easy to drive!!