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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  Reliable, comfortable, but annoying - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By kmfdmdude - January 7 - 5:35 pm

  Performance and realiability wise I really like this car, but sadly it does have its flaws. I know Im not alone but researching all the forums, Hyundai is known to have RATTLES. The dash board likes to rattle, glove box is REALLY noisy, the last two days I have heard my door panel rattle. I purchased this car in November 2010 and I have been to the dealership 3 times. Fourth time is tomorrow (thank god for the lemon law). Buyer beware...If you hate rattles in your NEW car, think twice...

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  Wow! - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By buddy904 - January 5 - 6:49 pm

  Just bought a 2011 Elantra on the 23rd of December. It is my wifes car - she traded in a 2008 Civic Coupe (weve had 5 Hondas). This is our 1st Hyundai, and it is very impressive. It is quieter than the Civic (which I expected - Civics are loud & I like them anyway) - it drives beautifully, smooth, a bit more powerful than the Civic, and it handles very well. We drove to South Florida for New Years - about a 600 mile round trip - and got 37 MPG overall. When I kept it at 70, I was getting 41-44 MPG. Of course, I usually drive 80+ down I-95. It has safety features only available on top level Hondas, it looks great, is comfy has features I never would have dreamed of for 18K. I am a Honda guy and a Ford guy, and was considering the redesigned 2012 Focus, Civic, or an Accord. But the new Focus seems like it will never be released, Civic apparently wont be redesigned for another year, and frankly, the Accord - as good as it is - is too big, and doesnt do it for me style wise (except for the coupe). I sold Hondas and Fords, and like both companies. I never saw a Hyundai in my future, or my driveway. That has definitely changed. This is a truly nice automobile, loaded with features, my wife loves it. It is safe, efficient, a smooth driver and a good looker. Look out, I think Im hooked.

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  Can believe its a hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By danik1978 - January 5 - 5:17 pm

  If someone told me 3 years ago i would be driving a hyundai i would laugh in their face, but I am not laughing anymore. I am flat out impressed. After 10 years of running a nissan/subaru dealership i have seen and driven them all. When my legacy lease was up i looked at 6 different cars - Civic, Corolla, Sentra, Elantra, Mazda 3 and Cruze. Impreza would have been on a list too but it was too expensive for my limited budget. I wanted something roomy (i am 60 and got two kids in boosters), economic, safe, stylish, nicely equipt and inexpensive. Sounds like impossible task? Elantra delivered and then some. its eqiupt like a 40 grand car, gas milage is superb. Car looks sharp. Way to go hyundai!!

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  Best bank for the buck - 2011 Hyundai Genesis
  By frank_pendle - January 5 - 4:20 pm

  This car blows away the competition. Ive had my share of 5-series BMWs, an Inifiniti and a Lexus. None of these compares to the Genesis comfort, refinement, engine response, interior elegance, ride quality and - especially - price. If you can get over the fact that youre driving a Hyundai, youll find that no car this side of a Mercedes 5-series, BMW 7-series or a LS 460 can compare with it.

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  Hyundai is going to sell a zillion of these! - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By cdavidhess - January 1 - 9:16 pm

  I have had my Elantra for 2 weeks and driven over 1500 miles. I am thrilled with this car! Its interior is larger than a Nissan Maxima. Its fuel economy is better than a Honda Fit. My worst tank has been 25.8 mpg (all city driving). My best tank has been 39.6 mpg (highway, 70 mph). Performance is peppy. The ride is comfortable. The car handles WV curvy, hilly 2 lanes with aplomb. The automatic transmission is a jewel! It is smooth and responsive. The 4 wheel disc brakes turned a potentially disastrous collision with a deer into a mild bump. The car, inside and out, appears more expensive than it is. The switch gear has a nice feel. The seats are all day comfortable. Noise is unobtrusive.

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  big mistake - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By laallen - December 30 - 6:12 pm

  Bought in 2005 with 40K miles. Clean and solid. Since then: new clutch, control arm failure (recall), brakes, 2 sets of tires, plugs and wires, O2 sensor and still needs catalytic converters, fuel vapor sensor and exhaust manifold. And still less than 100K miles. Body still solid and clean but cannot give it away since not inspectable. Now looking at the other H-car that really will last.

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  Wow...what a great car - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By oleman - December 22 - 7:31 pm

  Great car at a great price. I am averaging 35mpg so far and that is combined. Great warranty and a great looking car with a quiet ride and really nice leather seat heated front and rear.

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  Not sure - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By peridot - December 20 - 6:43 pm

  I got the SE instead of the GLS for the ESC. Not only does it bounce considerably and constantly at any speed, it fishtails when driving at speeds over 55 and trying to gradually correct the drift out of the lane. I went to the dealer and they of course didnt find those issues. They said it would take time to "break in", and they lowered the tire pressure a bit. I contacted Consumer Reports and made a complaint, and also contacted NHTSA and filed a complaint with them as well. The more complaints, the more likely they will look into the problems. The Vehicle Safety Hotline is toll-free at 1-888-327-4236.

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  Best Little Car! - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By 2010_hyundai - December 19 - 1:46 pm

  After owning my F250 Ford Crew Cab with a 460 gas burner, it has been nice to get the bleeding stopped. I looked at this car many times. I also looked at the Toyota Yaris. I kept coming back to the Accent because I felt the quality was the same and the price was better. I am so pleased with everything about this car. It drives so smooth. I love the simplicity too. I plan to have this car for a long time. Its all I need in a car. The interior has a high quality feel and look to it. Lots of little storage compartments. The back seat can fit 2 adults comfortably. I may have cruise control added later.

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  Acceleration hesitation and surges - 2011 Hyundai Azera
  By geonar - December 18 - 10:27 am

  Driven 1000 miles, to dealer twice, this time 11-days and counting for this hesitation, then surge acceleration problem, when tuning and/or traveling in stop and go traffic, have to drive 1 foot on brake to control surge acceleration. Hyundai Corp Engrs working with Dealers Techs to resolve. TPMS indicator light has been on since new still an issue. Parts were obtained from Korea is concerning. Consider this acceleration problem major safety issue. Suggest if test-driving an Azera Limited satisfy yourself of the drivability while maneuvering when slightly accelerating at speeds below about 15MPH. Own a Santa Fe Limited with all options, ranks one of the best cars I ever owned, this is