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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  Oil change problems - 2021 Hyundai Santa FE XL
  By Jim Burton - November 17 - 3:54 pm

  I bought a 2022 Santa Fe in July. It now us 10,000 miles but it’s nearly impossible to get an oil change. Hyundai withholds the information from oil change places, like Jiffy Lube, which forces you to go to a dealer. But the dealer in my area said on November 12 that they couldn’t do an oil change until December 13, a month later. Now my car has 10,000 miles - way over the 7,500 miles time to get a recommended oil change. What a mess, and it’s intentional by Hyundai. I will never buy another Santa Fe because of this Hyundai game. Can’t get it serviced. Forget it. I’m selling this one.

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  Great Van for the price! - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Lentz Upshaw - August 1 - 6:37 pm

  The reviews for this van really helped me out, so I wanted to return the favor. I purchased a 2007 Entourage about a month and half ago. It has just over 100,000 miles on it, and for the mileage it was a lot cheaper than other vans I looked at. It drives and rides very smooth, and has plenty of power! I just returned from a trip of over 2,500 miles with 6 people, mostly adults, and a luggage carrier attached to the top, through mountains and averaged about 20 mpg. I haven't had it for a long time, but my mechanic checked it out and said it was in good shape.

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  Ultimate - 2016 Hyundai Equus
  By P Hanly - February 23 - 7:53 am

  Drove the car through the Rockies in January. Very impressed with the snow mode as I only had all seasons on it. Dollar for Dollar in a late model used Full size luxury car, and there is nothing to even compare this vehicle to.After a long time following this vehicle before finally found the right deal under $40. Couldnt be happier with the vehicle. The car is nothing short of outstanding. The Rolls Royce Phantom also selecting the discrete sound Lexicon system is totally understandable. It does not handle like a sports car, but if your looking for an ultra quiet and ultra comfortable cruiser this car has very few competitors if any, and at 430 hp it is not sluggish by any measure.

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  Loved this baby - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By 4RunnerModder - May 16 - 11:35 pm

  Got a used 04 xg350l in 2008 at 116k miles, in 2017 it finally died at 301k miles. Fast, fun, and easy to maintain, changing the timing belt through the tire well was easy. Regular maintenance wasnt too cost, except the rear spark plugs. Never changed gaskets, only had to fix small oil leak around 250m miles. Stylish, luxurious, I didnt know Hyundai was a beast rig. Glad to experience it, reliability or a Toyota.

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  Engine blown - 2014 Hyundai Elantra
  By Carla Soleski - May 1 - 11:53 am

  I purchased a 2014 Hyundai Elantra in late 2014 new. The only reason was the 100,000 mile warranty.The car has 31000 miles and I owe approx $15,000 to Hyundai for it.I have owned Hondas, Toyotas and must say they have exceptional customer service and stand behind issues involving their vehicles. Hyundai fails in this area.I have never had an issue with this car, I have maintained it. On April 28th I was driving on the expressway, having no issue, when suddenly the oil pressure light flashed and I heard a loud noise and the engine shut down. I rolled to the shoulder. There was oil all over the ground under my vehicle.I called Hyundai roadside assistance and they were there within 30 minutes.They towed my car to the nearest Hyundai dealer, Webb Hyundai in Merrillville Indiana. Within a couple hours a technician named Jim called me to say that my engine was locked. He said it was ruined and would cost $7000 to replace.He went on to say that they will not honor the warranty because whoever changed my oil filter last overtightened it and the gasket was crushed, sticking out, which caused all the oil to leak out. #1 The oil change was in January, the car is parked daily and nightly on a white concrete driveway. ‪#‎2There‬ is no sign of oil, not one drop. If it was an issue with the oil filter, I would have had a problem within days of the filter installation. A mechanic friend believes it was a problem inside the engine that caused the regulation valve to stick, the high pressure cause the catastrophic event, deformed the filter & the gasket between the filter and the base blew out and the system lost oil causing the engine to seize. I have filed a complaint with the corporate office to no avail. I have spoken with the district manager at Duke of Oil in Hobart Indiana, who claims no negligence. He told me the same thing my mechanic friend says, that it is an engine issue and Hyundai should replace my engine. Webb Hyundai told me to tow my car out and they offered no resolution at all. Now I will sit with a car that doesnt run in my driveway, I cant afford to repair it , and I have to make the payments to Hyundai every month or my credit will be ruined. I am hoping everyone will share this so others will not buy Hyundai vehicles. Warranties are important, that is why most of us buy new cars. Hyundai is lax in not taking care of their customers and it needs to change . I believe Hyundai legally has to prove that it is not their engine issue to void the warranty? They seem to be making up a story to get out of standing behind their product.I will be consulting an attorney.

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  Engine replaced at 4YO 35K Miles - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jennifer - January 24 - 10:21 am

  Was very excited to have the heated seats and ipod cable for my first car, when I was 25 yrs old female. It has been downhill ever since. Noticeably different handling and seat comfort after 3 years and new tires didnt really help. Most maintenance has been covered by warranty, but this does not seem realistic for Chicago road/highway driving: replaced rear shock absorber after 2 years, cleaned fuel injectors ($200 out of pocket) due to some additive required for this elantra engine (?), and now engine replaced after 4 years (only 35K miles!). Happy that Hyundai is replacing the engine (currently in-progress, so not sure if just the short engine, or full engine with header) however had to wait a week for dealership to confirm the issue (was inconsistent grinding on start/shaking at idle approx. 10% of the time over the last 6 mos). Having a rental car in the city of Chicago for that long - worried about damaging the rental car with street parking in the middle of winter. Will be another 1-2weeks for engine to ship from LA by truck, and then install. Dealership has been great, we both win with this finding, however would have loved to avoid altogether in the first place. The hassle and nuisance are not worth the additional skin-deep features. Also there is still not an ipod cable compatible with Lightning. The Apple lightning cable has been out for years now, and Hyundai still sees no reason to manufacture usb > lightning so I can charge and listen to music through the console electronic system. Maybe should have purchased a sonata - for better build? Now looking to avoid Hyundai completely and will offload this car around 5 years 40K mi, too worried about future problems not worth it impacting my commute.

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  First model year Genesis. Id buy it again! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By AZKerry - January 22 - 2:32 pm

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  Great Car for Daughter College Bound - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By Cory - January 20 - 5:58 pm

  Get a 4 door. I bought a 2 door for my daughter because I thought it was "cool", found out 4 door better, even for her, dealer let me switch to a comparable 4 door. I have bought cars from this Used Car Dealer, now my friend, since 1989. He finds the cleanest, low mileage cars around. This 2013 Elantra had 9,500 miles when I bought 4 months ago. Now, under 11,000 miles. It has leather, seat warmers, blue tooth for phone, sunroof, great back seat leg room and huge trunk for my daughters guitar, amp and equipment. I paid $13,800 for the car. Do not tell on me, but while test driving it on the Interstate, I punched it and the car went quickly to 120 miles per hour. It sips gas. I usually do not get extended warranties, but for a few bucks, I got a 100,000 mile, cover everything warranty and my daughter has to make one phone call if anything goes wrong. This should last her through college and beyond. I am very pleased. By the way, it has a snappy design that is an eye catcher. This is a great car.

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  Very happy - 2015 Hyundai Azera
  By Denise Carter - January 19 - 7:30 pm

  Very happy with this car. Check for recalls to. Very comfortable car. Impressive for the price.

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  Enjoyable ride - 2015 Hyundai Accent
  By Bob Drumtra - January 14 - 12:04 pm

  This is the second Hyundai I have owned the first being a 2001 Elantra. I had it for 13 years and was very satisfied. So far this car has proven to be almost like the Elantra. Since my other car is a Lincoln MKZ, it is hard to compare the comfort level and overall components. Lets just say Im satisfied with what I have purchased.