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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  great first car - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By idrivemeghan - March 21 - 2:00 am

  My Accent GL, whcich has come to be known as "Meghan," is an excellent value. One of the few cars I could afford at 16, the fuel efficiency and reliability have proven extremely sanctuous for my wallet. The car is fun to drive, great on long trips, and does not stick out to state troopers so you can speed all you like (passed one at 20 + idiot in Hummer was distracting cop).

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  Second Hyundai in the family - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By way older man - March 21 - 1:50 am

  Mostly, I am very impressed with this car. I have owned 6 Hondas over the years...they were all great. This mfr has come a long way with their line and particularly with the Elantra. This car needs more "Get-up & Go"... and less (Mitsubishi) engine noise. I can and will live with these two minor flaws...just an annoyance. Best mileage to date: 37 mpg; the qualifier here is: did not exceed 70 mph & no air conditioning on. While the car has no trouble traveling 75/80, the mileage suffers. Watch the tack and keep it as close to 2500 rpm and you will see your best mileage, also use cruise control when possible. Still lovn this car and hope it keeps on keeping on.

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  Who Would Have Thought - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bkhuna - March 20 - 10:46 pm

  I never considered a Hyundai when shopping. I wanted a mid-sized sedan for my wife to use for business and as a car for the two of us to use for weekend use. I looked at the Ford Fusion (I really wanted an American company), Chevy Malibu, Toyota Camry, and the Nissan Altima. The Malibu lost out because it is tacky and Im still ticked about the bail-out. The Camry was boring. The others, comparably equipped, were thousands more than the Sonata. After reading all the reviews and watching a segment on Motor Week Magazine, I test drove and bought the Sonata. Im over six feet tall ant this car has plenty of room. Love the gas mileage. I cant rate the reliability yet.

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  hyundai is korean for - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Jason7562004 - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Two days after purchasing, the brakes started making a high-pitched squeeling sound. One week later, the clutch makes a grinding sound. A month later, the driver-side windshield wiper stopped moving. Fortunately for Hyundai, their 10 year, 100,000mi warranty only applies to the drive-train. Nothing else is covered, as the dealer politely pointed out after charging me $110 to tell me there wasnt a problem. If I bought the car from some guy selling snake oil at a freeway off-ramp, I wouldnt be surprised, but I had it inspected before buying, I did a carfax check, it only had 27,000 miles, and its only a few years old.

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  the accent is eccentric! - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By Accent22 - March 20 - 2:00 am

  i just bought my 4-door silver accent GL with the power package and i love it! i was at the dealership from 10am till 359pm and the gas mileage is impressive! i love the way the car feels substanial and not tinny. the sound system is awesome! and i love the shifter feel. very precise and matches the engines performance. and it looks big inside and out! and i got it at an awesome price!

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  Good car, poor service department - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By The Queen - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Im 64" and very comfortable in this car. The ride for a small car is excellent, better than an accord we also own. Gas mileage not up to expectations however, I have found that non "reformulated gas" delivers about 36 mpg at 75 mph. Unfortunately it isnt available locally. Have brought the car in twice for minor service. Both times, dealership broke something and had to wait for parts. At least they gave me a new Sante Fe to use, and it cost me nothing.

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  Great Value - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Bill - March 19 - 3:40 pm

  My wife and I have been driving this SUV for a month. It is a great value for the amount of items included. We bought the Limited FWD version for $26,000.00. You cant buy a HONDA CRV for this amount with a 4 cylinder. Only one problem so far, the seat memory switch had to be changed. Dealer is great to work with. The Infinity stereo is OK not great, but overall still very pleased with the quality of the vehicle. Third row seating is great. Gas mileage so far is about 18 MPG (city driving) not to bad considering. Love the safety features. Honda, Lexus/Toyota can learn something from Hyundai. The are overpriced and over rated.

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  New vehicles arent always the best - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Static - March 19 - 10:00 am

  ok, I bought this car back in April and it hasnt been anything else but trouble. Ive been to the dealer 3 times to have the windwhield changed (twice) and to have a whining noise fixed that was coming from the front end of the vehicle. They still havent fixed the problem so it is just one big joke. It was good for its price, but hope it wont fall apart.

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  buyer beware - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By chiadok - March 19 - 4:57 am

  Im not sure if mine is the exception, but my Tuscon every once in a while has an electrical malfunction where the key gets stuck in the ignition, the blinkers fail to work, the locks wont work, and the lights wont turn off. Hyundai nor the dealership cannot figure out why this occurs. I was really looking forward to having a reliable vehicle with awd, good gas mileage, at a good value. This was my first Hyundai, and will definitely be my last. I noticed an article in inside line, where the testing manager had the same issue with the 2011 Sonata being reviewed. I wonder if this may be a Hyundai issue and not an isolated problem with just my vehicle. I definitely wouldnt recommend buying.

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  FLYING OUT THE WINDOW.. - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By redlipstickon - March 19 - 3:21 am

  This car was my first brand new car I have owned and I had it for a year and one month. I have decided to trade it in. Within the first month the back tail light had a small hole and water was getting in, so I had that replaced, At about 10 months the driver window rotator burned out so my window would not go all the way up and I had to get that replaced. Lastly I was driving back from a road-trip when I hear the "helicopter noise" a car makes when a window is open. I look at my side mirror and see the small backseat window FLY OFF! It literally de glued and flew off the car in the middle of the highway! Clear as to why I am now trading it in. I really loved the car :( w/out all this.