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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  2007 Azera Ltd - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By whigbee - February 24 - 9:13 pm

  on 02/24/11 19:08 PM (PST) I had both Plastic engine shrouds fall down while driving. I drove it home with them pointing forward hitting the ground. I unbolted the remaining bolts and removed them and took it to our dealer( Poor Customer service), and they questioned me, but I showed where they broke. The car radiates a lot of heat when you get out of the car, by the drivers door, from underneath. I had the Door panels replaced, the Rear shade replaced, the rubber around the sunroof replaced. The battery replaced after 2 years. The ride can be rough, but the power is great.

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  Great car - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By 76mini - February 23 - 8:02 pm

  I have owned my Genesis for over three months and love this car. I have had four BMW 5 series and this car comparesfavorably in every way to the much more expensive 5 series. In addition, it has more interior room, features, better interior quality and so far reliability. The last BMW Iowned was a 2008 535I which was nothing but trouble with the twin turbo engine and electronics. The only thing this car does not have is a luxury badge but everything else about the car is on par with or better than the best in the luxury class.

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  Best value in Vans - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By beenaround60 - February 20 - 2:56 pm

  I bought my Entourage in 2007 after comparing it to the Dodge, Chrysler, Honda, and Toyota offerings. I had a 1990 Dodge minivan for 19 years and it still had more zip, and better handling than the Dodge and Chrysler vans. The Entourage has great road feel, plenty of zip, was nicely appointed and was $7,000 cheaper than other comparable models. The seat felt better than those in other vans and that was important because I have back problems and must do long drives. The only problems I have had in five years is a buzz in the AM reception that I attribute to had tuning, because FM comes in clear. The other problem is the passenger grab bar that came out when a passenger exited. I replaced the two small metal screws and have not had a problem since. Resale value is a problem for those who trade every few years. I keep my vehicles for ten to fifteen years and when I get ready to buy another Hyundai will be at the top of the list.

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  not one problem @ 30,000 miles - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By sssannndmannn - February 20 - 2:24 pm

  We chose this car over the Kia Soul (headrests were too far forward, pushing on our heads) and the Honda Fit (too small inside, too few features for too much money). The bad: no glove box light no temp gauge too little storage only 28 MPG (my 89 Integra got 33 on my exact same daily commute) drivers center armrest is too low and the steering is too sensitive when youre just going straight. The good: best sound system and best cupholders Ive ever used in a car, very comfortable, and not one problem yet at 30,000 miles. I change the oil myself and the attention to detail and quality is everywhere, even under the car. All around one of the best small cars, but still miss my Integra.

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  2.5 years owned, so far so good - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By trunkmonkey - February 19 - 9:33 pm

  1st new car, bought July 08, after end of model year. MN driver, 38k+ ODO now. Good car, growly @35-45 MPH. Sluggish & rough when started in -10 to +5 degrees, until warm. Factory tires, got stuck in own driveway in 5 inches snow! Now new Coopers, well see. W/o ESC car would be bad in MN winter, with it pretty good. Handles fine in rain. Summer 36hwy/29city, winter 29hwy/24 city, better than my old Buick but still. Good ergonomics interior-have chronic back issues & no problem on long drives. Smooth ride at cruise speed, no trunk popping - mystified by that complaint. Spilled drinks, no electrical short-but not big spills. Trunk poor drainage on opening. Good cargo space seats down.

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  Great Hyundai! - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By hyundai2002 - February 19 - 7:49 pm

  I honestly dont understand all these reviews. I guess their previous owners didnt take care of their little Hyundai because my car runs great and is in great shape. The transmission and engine runs great. I dont understand the comments on the handling. The brakes could be better, but they have no problem. People need to realize that Hyundai was still not a very large company when the 2000-2004 Accents came out. And the Accent was Hyundais least expensive car. The interior scratches easily and the paint gets dings and scratches easily as well. But this was meant to be a realible INEXPENSIVE car for people that want a decent car and have money to put gas in it too. =]

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  lot of car for the money - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By koptm - February 19 - 6:47 pm

  easy & fun to drive, reminds me of my motorcycle only is has comforts. bought it jan.7th under blizard conditions, does great in the snow. quiet, smoth comfortable ride. no radeles or squeks. sounds solid. milage range from 18 mpg (cold weather 10 to 15 min warm ups) 31 mpg on the road. I live in WV so not much interstate driving. im getting 26 mpg on the average and i love it. enough power to pass coal trucks in a short space going up a mountan, (thats the test). easy enough on gas im not afairade to go to the filling station anymore. doesnt feel like a compact car when im driving, excalent audio system, all controls heater & so forth easy to use. well desinghed id recomend it.

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  Wouldnt Buy Another One - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By tombea75 - February 18 - 7:47 pm

  The drive train on this one is awful. The car has a difficult time finding the right gear. As a result it is always shifting. Shifts arent smooth and many times the transmission tries to catch up with the engine, resulting in a lurch forward. The cruise control cant keep a steady speed. The engine is extremely noisy. My 2002 Infinity I35 is twice the car this one is. Also the radio doesnt show the artist and title of songs played. This is ten year old technology folks. I would not buy another one.

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  Competent Commuter Except in Snow - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By waldteufel - February 15 - 8:59 am

  I bought this car new in July 2009 for my daily commute and to run kids around town for music lessons, sports, you name it. The positive reviews, incredibly low price, and long warranty make this basic piece of transportation ideal for my needs now. MPG varies from 28-33 combined depending on the weather, really expected much better. It took a long time to get adjusted to the clunky, sticky manual transmission nothing like the Mercedes 230 or VW Golf sticks I used to drive. I tried to find an American brand vehicle of similar cost and quality but nothing came close.

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  2011 Genesis - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By informatics - February 12 - 7:43 pm

  I have now had my new 2011 Genesis for 1 week. I got it at Jim Hudson Hyundai in Columbia SC. I got the base 3.8 V6 with no options. I will not give the exact price but I was out the door for under $30,000. Price aside, it is truly a wonderful car. I am in my upper 30s and I feel like a teenager again when I drive this thing. Being excited about driving is something I had forgotten about until last week. I also love the attention this car affords. I have had so many compliments and typically the reaction is WOW, I did not know Hyundai made such a nice vehicle. I did research for weeks and the only thing people can say bad about this vehicle is that they dont get the prestige. Get this car!