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 Bargain At This Price - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By shabadoo25 - July 11 - 11:33 pm

  I special ordered a black Limited with nav and black interior on Super Bowl Sunday, and just got it on Tuesday. Good luck getting all these features on any other car for $25,750, which is what I paid before tax, tag and title. The car hugs the road like a Mercedes coupe and looks a little like one, too. Gas mileage and smooth acceleration are top notch. I spend a lot of time in my car for work, so it is like a second office. Now that my car is this nice, I no longer enjoy going into my ACTUAL office. Note 1: pay the extra $ for the upgraded stereo and nav. The car looks much classier with the full color touchscreen. Note 2: you can make calls with the voice command.

• 

  LOUD - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By fudge - July 11 - 9:50 pm

  I purchased my Sonata 3 months ago. About a month ago I noticed that it was running really load - almost like an exhaust leak. I brought it into the dealer to find nothing wrong with it. It didnt make this noise when I purchased it. Four other people at the dealership listened to it and compared to other Sonatas/ I am told this is how it is, new fuel injected systems.I hate the noise and dont want the car for the money I paid. Should run as smooth as the day I bought it.

• 

  2010 Preowned Former Rental - GREAT DEAL - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Atomx71 - July 11 - 11:30 am

  It isnt often that I buy a car new off the lot. I saw this 2010 in the preowned area and inquired. It was a former rental which at first most people balk at when seen. I will say that I will never buy a used car that WASNT a rental first. It was immaculate, like new and had 30,000 miles on it. The dealer had all the maintenance records and CARFAX report on-site. The rental company changed the oil every 3,000 miles and did all manufacturer recommended maintenance religiously. I have had the Sonata a week now and it drives wonderfully. The handling is fine for a car of its size. Also, Hyundai allows the transfer of the 10/100,000 to another owner; so I still have 30,000 miles left to go.BRAVO

• 

  Much more than youd expect for the $ - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By mcmfb - July 11 - 2:00 am

  The car has been great. The only headache Ive had with it was caused by a service tech error. I got 90m on it now. It had a small oil leak about 10m ago but it was covered under the warranty. Suggestion to future Hyundai buyers. Dont get the EXTENDED bumper to bumper warranty. Use that $ instead to do the scheduled maintenance.

• 

  Accent beats all - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Sueson - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I have nothing but praises for my Accent. Weve owned several new cars of all price ranges and this is by far my favorite. The seating is very comfortable, car accelerates quick, smooth driving, controls convienent and styling is up there with the compact, exlusive models. My only complaint (as with most cars, too) is the seat belt. It rides too high across my chest and neck. Only one warranty situation. My rear brakes needed replacing within the first 2000 miles - were making a scraping noise. Dealer knew right away what it was and were replaced at no charge. Excellent and polite service. Had no problems since then. I get 32 mpg.

• 

  My Elantra - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Gus Fernandez - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Most comfortable car I have ever driven Handles nice and it is quite good on the gas mileage. Didnt like the color of the car at first because it was a midnight gray but it grew on me for being very different. Sometimes it would like like a dark blue or purple under certain lighting conditions. Seats are quite comfortable and the engine has pep. Easy to maintain, my only complaint is why did they have to put the fuel filter in a place hard to get at. Warranty is also quite good. overall value of car I would purchase again.

• 

  What more could you ask for - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By timmym1 - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Hey folks want a solid car with big time features for small time bucks look no futher I was a Honda Toyota guy and my Hyundai is just as good as them.Loaded for about 13k with a roof and abs civic ex around $18k+ with less horsepower I may add. have had 38 k roll so far with no interuptions. GOING STRONG. OH YAL THE WARRANTY !! ARE YOU SERIOUS HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT THE OTHER DAY MY COST $0 I HAVE HAD IT OVER 2 YEARS! THANK YOU HYUNDAI

• 

  Best I ever purchased - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By cmazgo - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I purchased it for gas mileage--I got much more. Surprised to find that it was fun to drive, very reliable and well built. I drive 100 miles/day highway and am averaging 32-34 mpg (One tankful even reached 36.4!) I presently have 49,000 miles on it. The only problem was a burned up windshield wiper motor. Was replaced promptly. I have never had a better experience with any other car AND the service department from the dealer where I bought it. I never thought any dealer would care about quality after the sale- --I was wrong. If this is the new "HYUNDAI", I will be buying another!

• 

  Great Car - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By nell - July 8 - 10:23 am

  This is a great car, but i may not be able to keep it, the lumber support is killing my lower back.... I definitely would purchase this car if the seat could be fixed. I am completely surprised by this car, it is definitely worth every penny.

• 

  Fun to Drive - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By mmccabe - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had this car foe 4 weeks now but really like it. Not fancy but comfortable. Easy to drive, easy to manuever. Can make sharp turns, no problem. Fun to drive. Yhe only thing I dont like is the positioning of the cup holder in relation to the ashtray.