Hyundai Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.45/5 Average
13,764 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 8961 through 8970 of 13,764.00
  • Best in the class - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    I was shopping for a compact car with auto transmission, A/C, and in $13000-$16000 price range. First, I test drove Cavalier - very disappointed. Then I took for a test drive Corolla - better, but dealer was unwilling to negotiate the price. The third test drive was with Elantra - WOW! - better than Corolla!!! And the price is lower than for any of the previous cars. So, I made my choise and now drive Elantra for more than a year and I am very satisfied.

  • Its a bargain - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    I wanted a good vehicle, roomy, and under $17,000. The Sonata fit the bill. Every new vehicle I ever owned went back to the dealer during its forst month of ownership. My dealer saw my vehicle for its first oil change. I love this vehicle. My son has an Elantra and will be trading it in for a new 2003 Tiburon. Does that say something about quality

  • XG300L - 2001 Hyundai XG300
    By -

    I Love my XG it is a great buy for the money. I had it back only 7 times, 3 times for the same problem with EGR system and 3 times because of tires where bad from Michelin tires. I had it back once for electrical but they got it fixed right away with a free loaner. That was great! The transmission def. can use improvments and also the suspension could use some improvements to recall the suspension would be a great Idea and make consumers happy. To many clunks and feel even little bumpes, but the 02 is a little better but still needs a little bit more on suspension, and the transmission still is no good.

  • xg350 - 2002 Hyundai XG350
    By -

    Superb car and a tremendous value.

  • Santa Fe 3.3 AWD - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
    By -

    What a great SUV! Incredibly well thought-out, love the exterior and interior design. I test drove all the competition, and the Santa Fe offered everything and more, at a lower price! JD Powers ranks Hyundai just below Porsche and Lexus, this was a no-brainer decision.

  • good little SUV - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
    By -

    All in all its a great value. Roomy for a small car. Nothing is exceptional, but nothing is poor either except for the gas mileage. Im getting 17 to 19 mpg.

  • I love my Tiburon SE V6 hatchback 2DR - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
    By -

    I personally love the car not just for its looks but for its potential if you put just about 5 grand under the hood. the car would be insane on power and speed. needs better rear anti roll bars and better brakes too. if you take a look online youll find plenty of parts for it. i plan on getting my v6 up to 520 horspower with a hella turbo haha new cams and a bunch of other performance parts. just dont look at her like a piece of crap look at her for wat she could be

  • Love It! - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
    By -

    Have had it since March, Love my Ride!!! Turning Radius is so small its like driving a go-cart, so much fun to drive. 6 speaker stereo is awesome too. I really have no complaints except the drivers seat could have been filled with firmer padding on the sides, seems to be wearing out already. Getting 25 MPG around town and 30 on the highways so very pleased with that.

  • Hyundai Rocks! - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
    By -

    I purchased for my wife,and she loves it.The ride is good, dependable, roomy and the interior and exterior design is good.I highly recommend this vehicle to my family and friends.We first looked at the Toyota Highlander.The price we would have paid for it compared to what we paid for the Sante Fe is probably 5k more.

  • Dont purchase vehicle until they find a solution - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
    By -

    I purchased this car last year and I wish I wouldve bought a different car. I started experiencing jerking issues a few days after I purchased the car. Not safe at all! The acceleration is poor as well. Also, my dashboard light changes when Im traveling at different speeds. I always keep the lights on the lowest setting and it randonmly changes without me touching it. I only have a little over 4k miles on this car. I rarely drive the car because I work from home now. However, I dont see this car lasting two years without having major mechanical issues. The transmission will be the first to go! Please, consider other options before purchasing this vehicle.

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