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:

• 

  plush,luxurious, and quiet - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By randolphsmith - July 14 - 10:56 pm

  Im a jazz man and I love music. The interior is so quiet it enhances the sound of the already top quality speakers. Im riding in first class with a coach ticket. You cant beat that price. Thanks Hyundai for the Genesis, I dont have to pay a mortgage payment for a ride in luxury.

• 

  Love it - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By kforcade - July 14 - 6:20 pm

  I was looking at other performance used cars, such as BMW or Infiniti, and came across this. As much as I wanted the other cars I looked at, I have been very pleased with this purchase. I get constant stares, as many others here have, and the performance is amazing. Ive modified it a little as well. The ride quality is nice, a little bumpy as expected with a sports car. Fuel economy isnt great, but it isnt bad either. Overall, I really enjoy my Genesis and hopes Hyundai continues to deliver such great vehicles

• 

  Steering Wheel Squeak - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Jim - July 14 - 4:20 pm

  Car is reliable. Main concern is a annoying squeak in the steering wheel whenever I turn the wheel. Dealer says its the clockspring and a problem in all XG350s that wont go away...even with a new clockspring. In other words, there is nothing the dealership can do. I wonder if other owners have same problem. CD player also died shortly after warranty expired.

• 

  PURE VALUE - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By B Miller - July 14 - 2:30 pm

  WOW... A lot of car for little money. Lots of Power, no lag, transmission shifts at the right moment when power rolled on ( no lag). The car goes where its pointed with do under or over steering that I could tell, very quick to respond. Fit and finish is very good. Price...ahhh the bast for last, My GT autos only options were floor mats and locking lugs...price $28122.17 which included Tax, Tag Title, that $599 dealer fee, optional 100,000 mile 5 year bumper to bumper option (std is 5 year 60,000). Try to fine another sports coupe for that price. A good value that a blast to drive.

• 

  2 adults--1 baby - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jimmy - July 14 - 12:03 pm

  Sonata GLS manual--3 year Lease: 15k mi/yr (45k total) no money down (36 payments) $229/mo I have had the car for less than 1 month--greatly enjoying it. We compared the sonata to the accord, camry, mazda6, & altima. The sonata is a wonderful car if youre in the market for a safe family car. The interior is large enough to hold a baby carrier in the back and lots of leg room in the front. The outside looks like an entry-level lexus to me. Gas milage has been more like 24mi/gal so far :( We received a wide range of offers, most of which were near $300. I hope we got a good deal on it; I did the best I could. I dont trust a car salesman further than I can catch him with my wallet.

• 

  Buyer Beware - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By atmyheels - July 14 - 10:41 am

  This car has been a huge disappointment: it looks sharp but is not mechanically sound. I purchased the car certified pre-owned just over a year ago with under 30K on the odometer. It has been a series of unending problems ever since: all interior windows must be cleaned every 3 to 4 weeks with rubbing alcohol to remove a greasy residue that continually builds up (dealer does not know the cause), the interior smells similar to a wet dog when it rains, the battery was replaced at 35K yet still occasionally dies, both rear tail light assemblies failed causing the tail lights to stop working, and several rattles developed in the dashboard. This is in addition to two recalls.

• 

  EXCELLENT!!! - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By randy w - July 14 - 2:00 am

  For the money, I cannot imagine a better value. This is a great car with an extraordinary warranty. It runs great and is fun to drive. When I tell people how much it cost they dont believe me.

• 

  Pleased buyer - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pleased owner - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I read the reviews from the pros and was concerned about the noisy engine remarks, but when I drove it, I was pleased. Engine noise is not so bad, specially if you drive with audio on or drive around busy streets. Noise is no factor, and for the buck much better.

• 

  I love it!!! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By timraynicoleigh - July 14 - 2:00 am

  This is the first car that I have personally bought and I love it. I have driven many other cars: Buick, Ford, Saturn, Honda, Chevy, and Oldsmobile and none of them can compare. The price was awesome and the leather interior rocks. For my first car I think it has been the best inverstment the my husband and I have made.

• 

  Smooth Rider - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Dr BobRX - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I have driven the Santa Fe over 3000 miles and it has been just a gem. I have to keep reminding myself that this is not a $30K+ SUV. My longest trip was 400 miles and I arrived very refreshed which was a pleasant surprise.