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:

• 

  A whole lot of ok - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Dan - February 28 - 1:23 pm

  The Accent is a tough little car it handles me, which is a feat. You get little by way of comfort but if you want a cheap car thatll get you there, then its hard to beat. Ive used the warranty already. Twice for wheel bearings that became loud, an exhaust leak, and a leaky valve cover. With all that in mind, it kept running and never gave me that "its gonna die" feeling. I wouldnt buy this car new, I would find one as cheap as possible and go with it. Be careful of the dealer, they are very good at slipping in costs that you might not be aware of, slick little suckers they are. Im off moving from 0-60 in 15.2 seconds.

• 

  Why not - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sonata GLS 4 cyl Aut - February 28 - 7:56 am

  I purchased the car with mats, mud guards,wood trim, power seat $16,252. I am finally after 11k miles starting to get good mileage. On a recent trip I hit over 34mpg then drove some in the city overall avg 32. Normally 24- 25 around town. I baby it. It is smooth. Wife says it glides down the road. I still have my 02 Elantra with 160k I am a big Hyundai fan now they just need something super economical.

• 

  Fun lil Car - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Edgey - February 28 - 1:47 am

  I bought a 2000 Elantra used with bout 58k on it. I only had to replace the altenator, battery, and the front left wheel bearing. Great car, ran great, was a lil sluggish to shift under heavy acceleration. I bought it in 9/03 and then totaled it 1/05 with 86K miles on it, when some twit in a rental made a left in front of me. Seemed to crush a little to easily, the whole front end was trashed. Sounded good, handled good and no repairs, except the aforementioned ones. For reference the wheel bearings suck to do on your own. The old filter isnt the easiest to get at. But it has a nice ride, comparable smooth to some smaller cars. OH and the air bags work great :)!

• 

  Reliable but Terrible in Bad Weather - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By curt123 - February 26 - 6:59 pm

  I got a great price last year on my previous 2004 GT Hatchback with the Automatic Tranny. Not much pep and transmission was confused easily. Tires lost tread very quickly and gas mileage was a major disappointment average 22mpg due to having to floor it often. Inside is very nice but leather showed distress within a few months. Last winter spell was its last, nearly crashed serveral times going to work on light snow covered roads. Good cheap college car in dry flat climates but in Pittsburgh it was not going to cut it, got a 2005 Subaru Forester this weekend (7,500 more), no comparison and I finally dont have sweaty palms in snowy conditions.

• 

  03 Sonata Review - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By dukefish33 - February 26 - 6:43 pm

  Great car for the money. I bought this 03 Sonata (6cyl AT) new in 07-03. I now have 30k miles on it. It looks as good as an Accord or Camry but costs about 8k dollars less. My car has had NO Problems. I do regular oil changes and tire rotations and thats all I have needed to do. The car has adequate power and when you need it too it will rev up nicely. The ride is great and whenever I haul passengers around they always ask me (after 5-10 min. in the car) "What kind of car is this?" The back seat will hold two full size adults comfortably. The trunk is huge. Mileage is average for a midsize car with a 6cyl.Overall a great value.

• 

  One of the best I have onwed - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Rosebud - February 26 - 2:16 pm

  From the first time I drove this automobile I was suprised and happy. Lots of folks asked what kind of car was it ? Most guess Lincoln, a car I used to own. This car ridea very quite and smooth Have to wath how fast I am going as it seems like I am driving slower than I realluy am. Over all this car is the best value on the road for todays dollar I am satisfied with this car overall.

• 

  edmunds reviews have head up something - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By alex h. - February 26 - 12:10 pm

  17000 miles and we LOVE our XG300 The power is fine, its EXTREMELY quiet, very easy to maintain, and drives smooth. Comfort is excellent, heating and cooling are fast, tires squeal before they lose grip, traction control and ABS are solid working. Auto heating cooling is excellent, though requires a quick read of the book. The shifttronic is very cool, with built in overrev protection.

• 

  Sonata hybrid - 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By Sbremer - February 25 - 10:19 pm

  Stitching on leather seats questionable

• 

  Great Value - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By WMassOwner - February 25 - 2:26 pm

  I purchased the AWD Tuscon in January 06, just in time for a huge New England blizzard. The Tuscon performed magnificantly, and has continued to be a great vehicle. Its a lot of vehicle for the sticker price, loaded with all the options except leather seats. I love how it looks, it handles like a car and has enough quickness to get out of any situations. Its a solid buy, great value and you cant beat the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty.

• 

  Will not buy Hyundai again - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By cole - February 25 - 5:43 am

  Driving is decent for an SUV along with the looks however I have owned my "first-time Hyundai" 2 months and it has been in the shop over half of that due to a sunroof issue. I am on my 5th sunroof and the problems are still not corrected. I contacted the consumer affairs department and received a case number and that is the last time I have heard from them. I have called to update information and have been told repeatedly that my case manager will be in touch and this has been going on for a month with still no contact. The sunroof still leaks and when open rattles to the point it sounds like the glass is going to brake. Now, I am again waiting for them to decide what to do. Horrible!