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 9661 through 9670 of 13,764.00
  • LOVE the Hyundai Line - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
    By -

    I just traded in my 2000 Sonata GLS V6 with 26,000 miles on it for a new 2002 Santa Fe. It was a demo from the dealer and had 3000 miles on it. It is a 4 cylinder and the automatic transmission. I have heard that the the V6 is the way to go but I absolutely love my new 4 cylinder Santa Fe!! It is totally loaded with ABS, cargo net, remote and the cargo cover. It is a silver beauty. This is my third Hyundai that I have purchased and I am very impressed with the Hyundai line.

  • most reliable car ive owned - 2003 Hyundai Accent
    By -

    truly most reliable car i have owned,,,would and have recommended it to anyone as best buy for your money,,,by the way,,,,first time ive ever bothered to do something like this,im 54, finally found something worth taking the time to crow about,,,

  • chose tiburon over a BMW - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
    By -

    this car is extremely beautiful. i get asked at least 3 times a week what kind of car it is, and no one believes its a hyundai. the exterior lines and styling are PERFECT. this car looks like an expensive italian import. interior is roomier than competition and the seats are very supportive. steering/handling is unbelievably good. in these times of high gas prices, i love buying 87 and getting the great economy out of this car.

  • Love the "Black Turtle" - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
    By -

    Our hatchback looks like a black turtle from outside. Provides great traction in slippery roads. ABS, side air bag, stability control are all standard. Interior build quality is impressive with nice-feeling foams and net-like cloth covers. The on-wheel audio control is handy, so is the rear window wiper. My family of 5 sit comfortably inside with plenty of space for extra bags. Ive hauled a mattress foam in the back with no problem. Only problem is the noise at high RPM. It has great surround sound. Great car with plenty of utility and value-added items.

  • My First GenCoupe - 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
    By -

    Ive had 5 Mustangs in the past and was ready for a change. Got a 2012 GenCoupe as a model end leftover with an auto. I was very unhappy with the trans., it really needed an extra gear so the fuel economy was horrible, I get better both highway and city with my vette. Interior had a lot of rattles that the dealer couldnt fix, after 6 months I traded it for a 2013 Manual which is a MUCH improved car.

  • my second Elantra - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
    By -

    Its been only one week, but I love it! Great improvement over the old one I was driving- much more comfortable. I never had any problems in six years which is why we bought another one. I cant believe all the standard equipment it comes with. Very fun to drive and sporty looking in the silver. Got right on 26 mpg city on the first tank. Cant wait for a road trip!

  • CORRECTION TO PREVIOUS REVIEW - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    My earlier criticism of the navigation not being able to be programmed by inputting the phone number of a commercial destination was incorrect! It can be done and its easy to do. I just didnt know how to do it. I do now and it is wonderful. Also, the time and temperature are easily obtained by pressing a button. I didnt know how that worked either. So now, my only complaint is that the ipod connection should be "compartmentalized" to keep it out of view of thieves.

  • Great car great price - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
    By -

    Love the room this car has. I wanted to purchase another Toyota and after doing some research,the Sonata was the better choice. More standard features for a much lower price. The GLS premium options sold me.

  • Diamond in the Rough - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
    By -

    Wow! Look out Toyota and Honda. If you are considering a corolla or a civic I would recommend you stop by a Hyundai dealership and test drive the Elantra Touring. Excellent build,features and overall design. This vehicle is a european Hyundai with german design. Ride is excellent and the ESC, traction control, six airbags and 4 wheel anti-lock disc brakes are standard. Add the 5 year, 60,000 mile warranty and you can see why Hyundai recently outperformed Toyota in customer satisfation. This vehicle is well thought out. This is my first Hyundai and previously drove a Volvo S80. Volvo may want to look in there rearview mirror. Hyundai is right behind them.

  • Love My Santa Fe - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
    By -

    I still love my Santa Fe after owning it for 5 yrs. It is just now starting to get little things wrong with it after 67,000 miles on it such as the light on the radio doesnt work, just replaced a brake switch, plugs and small things like that. The only major problem Ive had is the air conditioner went out, thru trial and error with the dealership, they finally had to call the company, to find out it was the computer. They replaced it free of charge under the warranty with no problems. Ive never had a car to compare with this one. Dont like the style of the new ones, but would love to have a new one just like I have now.

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