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 9141 through 9150 of 13,764.00
  • elantra best economy car - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    its fun to drive easy on the wallet has the power when needed.

  • My first Hyundai - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    I have owned Hondas and Toyotas and never thought I would ever own a Hyundai (remember the Pony). But the quality is every bit as good. It will soon be 3 years old with very little in repairs required. Gas mileage is OK for a car with 140 HP, I get 40 Hwy and 30 City. It has a lot of extra features for the money.

  • My second one Santa FE - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
    By -

    I had never thought of buying a Hyundai. Now this will make my 4 one. I adverage 60k miles a year and only done gereral maint. I have told several people about these cars. I rate the over all preformance and handeling very good.

  • A Whole Lotta Car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    Bought this car for my wife .... to replace her 97 Neon. Price was about the same as a new Neon, but what great additional features. The drivers seat is fully adjustable, and has lumbar support! It is a pleasure to drive, and the whole family fights to see who can drive it to work. I was attracted by the price/features .... Im now sold on the features/quality/enjoyment driving. This is one fun little car that can easily handle a 500 - 1000 mile trip in comfort.

  • I should have kept my Lada - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    Lots of useless bells & whistles. If you wear fake Rolex youll probably love a Hyundai. Scheduled maintenance expensive. MPG no better than my 20 y.o. VW. Couldnt get a comfortable seat position. No comfortable place for arm rests. Shoulder belt uncomfortable. Steering wheel only adjusts up and down not tilt. AC takes a long time to cool the car. Lots of road noise. I like my old car better. Great car when compared to a Yugo.

  • Awesome! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    Just bought this car for $10,700 and really should/could have paid more. Drives great, nice features. Much better than spending 12k on a used car with 50k milage!

  • Cabin Noise - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    While driving on freeway, too much noise inside car for new vehicle.

  • Josh review - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
    By -

    Fuel efficiency is great. The warranty is the best on the market. The exterior design is appealing.

  • low car maintenance/ cost to own - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    I average 30 miles per gallon and have had no unscheduled maintenance costs. I had the car for 3 years now.

  • comfort & safety - 2016 Hyundai Azera
    By -

    The car is comfortable, very roomy. The technology & electronic features are over whelming..Not easy to set up.

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