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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  good car - 1995 Hyundai Elantra
  By LAN - June 3 - 5:45 pm

  The only problem Ive ever had with it is the trim panels, the buttons that hold the door panels kept comming off. Fun to drive only mechanical problems were brake pad replacements, head light replaced, new tires. I bought it as a second car for local travel, and ended up taking it on a couple crosscounty trips. Would buy from again.

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  Fun to drive, poor fuel economy - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By pedsRN - June 2 - 7:50 pm

  Upgraded to this car from a 2001 Toyota Celica. Like the looks, fun to drive, but the fuel economy is a sham. Best MPG so far is 20mpg on the highway with cruise control on. My Celica got 30+ doing the same driving. Paint is already chipping on the bumper. Also, a creaking/clunking noise started in my rear axle/wheel hub area TWO MONTHS after purchase. I researched this car top to bottom along with the Accord, went for the "fun" car and I regret my decision.

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  Will Never Buy a Hyundai Again :) - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By TBCHOP - June 2 - 3:34 am

  I have had problems with this car from the minute I drove it off the lot. Discovered an oil consumption problem when there was no oil in the car after 1000 miles.According to Hyundai specs it is acceptable to burn a quart of oil per 1000 miles in a new car. I tried to get them to fix this problem under the warrrany but they refused. I was very dissappointed in the corp. They finally admitted and fixed the problem at 60,000m when in the shop (for another problem) it was discovered that the piston ring gaps were lined up. Also numerous power window problems, wheel bearings, new catalytic converter,check engine light constantly coming on. Have had enough it is time for this car to go!

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  Hyundai definitely gets my vote! - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Amy - June 1 - 11:20 pm

  I purchased a 2002 Hyundai Accent GS to use as my commuter car! I had my doubts, but thought what the heck, as long as it gets me from point A to point B. To my surprise, Hyundai has been more reliable then my Audi. Anyone looking for reliability, gas economy and affordability, look no further. Your Hyundai will always take you where you want to go!

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  2000 Hyundai Elantra Wagon - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By robert j. Esposito - June 1 - 8:56 pm

  My Hyundai is very reliablity. It has not given me any trouble in 5 years. For the price I paid ( $12,400.00 )and the miles I have driven ( 90,000 ) I think I made a very good deal.

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  2005 Sonata GLS - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By ms.python - June 1 - 5:26 pm

  The cars engine runs wonderfully. I feel a little surging with the transmission and may have to bring it in to see whats up with that -it could still just be breaking itself in... I dont know. I had to bring it back about a week after I bought it because one of the front passenger map lights wouldnt go off (they replaced a fuse...the service is quite prompt) Other than that, its a well made vehicle and Id buy this car again if I had to do it over again.

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  Just a great car compared - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By kyle - June 1 - 10:56 am

  Im new to the mid-size sedan segment therefor completely unbiased based on history. I drove EVERY competitor and nothing stacked up close to the sonata! 3 months and 6K miles later I still absolutely love it. I get 30 mpg COMBINED and routinely 40+ mpg on the highway. 200 HP is PLENTY of power for this light car to get up the hills (I live in Colorado) No quality issues so far, actually Im very impressed with the quality. No rattles, no squeaks, very quiet, very comfortable, Im 6ft and can easily fit sitting behind myself. I got 10 yr 100,000 mile BUMPER-2-BUMPER warranty out of the deal. I cannot say enough great things about this car. Bluetooth is fast to connect, XM is great. VALUE

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  Never Again Jeeps for me - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Rick - June 1 - 12:23 am

  Only half the vehicle a Grand Cherokee for 3/4 the price. Comes with lots of options but they dont preform very well. The 4wd drive dosent work well if you spin your tires. It cuts in and out and at times the pauses leave you with no power going to any wheel. The interior is roomy but components are lacking in quality. The rear seat bottems are made entirely of foam (no frame) and dont lay flat when folded down. The floor carpet and mats are econo big time. The vehicle must draw its outside air close to the road because the exhaust flumes from other cars get sucked inside big time. Lots of AC in the winter because of using the recirculating feature. The body and doors are quality.

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  Its affordable - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Butch - May 31 - 2:57 pm

  I dont know if you would consider going from a Buick Century Custom to a Sonata a step down or not. But, the Buick only lasted 97000 miles before the transmission went out. 99% of those miles were freeway miles and the Buick was well maintained. The Sonata doesnt ride quite as nice as the Buick, nor does it have the pep of the Buicks V6 engine. But, for the money the Sonata is a nice car. And, I am especially impressed with the warranty, I wish the Buick had one like it. I expect to get many years of service from the Sonata considering the number of miles I drive per week will be dropping from 540 to about 25. I also expect the $250 monthly gas expenses to drop to pocket change.

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  Great choice - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By sberhow - May 31 - 1:09 pm

  I bought my 2004 Sonata used with about 17,000 miles. Also considered Mazda3, Camry, Accord, but the Sonata comes with so many more features standard, and you cant beat the price or the warranty. Love it so far - the ride is very smooth, car is very easy to handle. Tons of space in the trunk. I love the look of the car, and its so comfortable to drive. The only down side so far is that gas milage is not quite as good as my Mazda Protege was, but that comes with a bigger car with a bigger engine.