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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  My first Hyundai - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By jduffy09 - November 1 - 3:55 pm

  20 years ago Hyundai was a joke. How times have changed. They are now building some of the best, most reliable vehicles in the industry. I took the plunge and bought a 2012 Elantra Limited. The styling is beautiful and Im convinced there is no better value on the market. Mine was nicely equipped with leather and sunroof for $21,400.

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  Now Have 41,000 miles on near perfect car. - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By whiterocket2 - October 31 - 12:14 am

  I must say I never get tired of driving the Genesis. The power has kept me out of at least two crashes. Its is an outstanding vehicle. I use the adaptive cruise control most everyday and it works flawlessly in traffic. The sound system is the best I have ever heard in any car. Would I buy another Genesis? Yes, without hesitation. As an aside I also own a BMW and the fit and finish of the Genesis is better and so far the Genesis has been much more reliable, In fact the Genesis has only needed routine service.

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  Not flashy, but real value - 2012 Hyundai Accent
  By gmsparzo - October 28 - 2:15 pm

  I had an 09 Sonata that was totally with no injuries. So impressed with safety after the crash as well as quality and MPG, I bought another Hyundai. Originally I thought it was too small, but it has grown on me. Fun to drive. AMAZING gas mileage. The 6 speed is fun.

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  Texas Guy in Maryland - 2012 Hyundai Accent
  By vykerdse - October 26 - 9:03 am

  Due to economy had to sell my new 2011 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 coupe. Got $21,500 (best value from Orisman Hyundai). I needed cash for family, and a car, so I checked price on Elantra and Accent. After price of new 2012 Hyundai Accent with all features, taxes, fees, etc... I made a few thousand. Bought my car Monday October 17th 2011 and so far it does not seem to be like the old Hyundais from the 1980s early 90s. Good safety features, excellent warranty, decent styling, and strong engine made me giving up my Honda a little less painful. I checked the Honda Civics/Fits, but the dealer would not give me as much for my Honda...and would not budge on his 2012 car price. Oh well...

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  Still Smooth and Quiet at 37000 - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By hyundaidan - October 25 - 7:33 pm

  Bought the 2010 Elantra GLS with 1500 mi as a dealer demo...now have 37000 mi over a year later. No repairs yet just oil changes (Mobil 1) and had the transmission fluid and coolant changed at 30,000 miles. Still have original tires, down to 5/32 of an inch of tread...I recently drove a 2011 Elantra (new body style) and was surprised how much harsher and noisier the ride was than my 2010...must have something to do with the 2011s not having an independent rear suspension.

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  NOT COMFORTABLE - 2012 Hyundai Equus
  By kfd1 - October 25 - 12:13 pm

  The long distance comfort of this car is of serious concern. I bought this car and took a 900 mile trip a day later. Three hours into trip, my back was screaming in pain. By the end of trip, I was incapacited, with shooting pains in legs, back and arms. I am a long distance driver and convinced the Hyundia Dealer to buy the car back after showing them the articles on Autoblog about the seats (google Equus Long Distance). The dealer purchase a Lexus LS460 (14,000 miles) and I traded up. I just completed a 600 mile trip in the Lexus. No back pain or any other pain. The front seats in the Equus are poorly designed. No way to modify them, I tried and even had a pad made with memory foam.

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  As Good as an Aerostar - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By mikehs2 - October 25 - 10:29 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. 133,000 miles, 40 mpg, yes 40! on the highway. I checked it 3 times! No oil burn. Only service issue was the rear brake cylinders which Hyundai happily replaced. Have to service the car every 7,500 miles and due the proper maintenance. Make sure you change the timing belt at 90,000, and if you have an auto transmission, it has to be serviced every 30,000. Dont be shy to buy one used, if its the 5 speed manual. Im sure ours will go at least 250,000.

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  Great Econo Transportation AND FUN to drive! - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By fl_lead_foot - October 24 - 11:06 pm

  Im replacing an 06 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which we loved except for the 20K miles per year at an average of 18MPG! When I first saw the new Hyundai Sonata & Elantra "twins" I was near a MB dealer and knew what the "new" 580s looked like. I saw a Sonata and thought, gee, Ive not read that MB brought back the 190, then I saw the H badge. Ive never owned a Hyundai (and have to think about spelling it), BUT when I saw their new styling and read the rave reviews, I thought, self, the Jeep must go! Granted, this is NOT my driver, it is my wifes daily driver ... BUT ... I DO commandeer it on the weekends! Gas mileage is great, ride is great, driving experience is great ... car is great!

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  So Noisy. OMG! - 2012 Hyundai Genesis
  By rumbling - October 23 - 8:14 am

  What is all this raving reviews about the car being so quiet! Both the regular v-8 and the R-Spec have unacceptable road/tire/wind noise, especially on the driver side. Changing tires from Michellin to Continental did not help. It is a constant hum/rumbling which should not be there, if Hyundai wants to compete in the "luxury" car market.

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  Overall Very Pleased... There Are A Few Items, Ill Explain... - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By wmjlambert - October 22 - 3:58 pm

  To start the previous automobile was a 1997 Buick Park Avenue Ultra, 190k trouble free miles, tranny went. Too pricey to replace with Lucerne. Nearly entire family drives Hyundais now. Bought Sonata. Transmission: Wish it had a "winter" mode, button to start in 2nd gear... Feel fifth could be leaner. Excellent acceleration, smooth and quiet, nicely laid out with high enough quality feel and look. Have near 60k, had one mechanical issue and dealership has been great. Niggling, but access to high mount stop lamp bulb is crazy, tires have worn out very quickly(not the cars fault)... Have not had an alignment and I live in Buffalo, which amazes me.