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Hyundai

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5.7

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: January 31st, 2022

Founded in 1967, Hyundai is a South Korean car company that, along with its subsidiaries Kia Motors and luxury marque Genesis Motors, makes up the third-largest car manufacturer in the world, behind Toyota and VW. 

With the Hyundai Excel’s robust US introduction in 1986, the brand’s initial reputation was solely as a budget brand. 

Now, the company has put an emphasis on appealing design and quality manufacturing. They back up that emphasis with the country’s best warranty: 5 years or 60,000-mile basic policy and 10 years or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This is 40 percent more coverage than most other brands (most feature 3 to 4 years and 5 to 6 years). 

The brand offers compacts, sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, plus sustainable options sold at the company’s more than 800 US dealerships.

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The Good

  • Dependability
  • Warranty
  • Style and Tech
  • Sustainable Options
  • Safety

Dependability

On the JD Power Dependability Study, Hyundai ranks well, at #7 out of 31 automaker brands. Additionally, Kelley Blue Book measures dependability by the 5-Year Cost to Own Awards. Hyundai was named Best Brand in 2016 and 2018. Likely related to the brand’s reliability, Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index has ranked Hyundai #1 in the auto industry since 2010. 

Warranty

Hyundai has the best warranty available in the US. The company offers a 5-year, 60,000-mile new vehicle warranty, which is lengthy compared to most other companies that only offer a 3- or 4-year warranty. The powertrain limited warranty lasts 10 years or 100,000 miles compared to most other companies, which offer 4 to 6 years of coverage. On top of that, the automaker’s anti-perforation warranty lasts 7 years, while other companies mostly offer 5 or 6 years of coverage. 

New vehicles come with 5 years and unlimited miles coverage for roadside assistance. 

Style and Tech

In recent years, Hyundai has put an emphasis on its sleek, fluid design. 

Additionally, new owners can access Blue Link connected car service free for three years. This includes remote engine start, climate control, remote car finder, enhanced roadside assistance with a button on the rearview mirror, and other features.

Sustainable Options

Hyundai has a long history of developing electric cars dating back to 1991. Currently, the company offers a few different hybrid and electric options, including the best fuel economy in America, the Ioniq Blue Hybrid with a 59 mpg highway fuel efficiency. 

Here is a breakdown of sustainable models: 

  • 2019 Ioniq Hybrid
  • 2019 Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid
  • 2019 Ioniq Electric
  • 2018 Sonata Hybrid

A limited-availability model, the Nexo, is the world’s first and only hydrogen fuel-cell SUV. It has a range of up to 380 miles, which is higher than any fuel-cell, or even any electric vehicle on the market. You can fuel up in just 5 minutes, and it comes with complimentary fuel for 3 years or $12,000, whichever is reached first. It is only available in California, but there isn’t a waiting list. You can test drive it at dealerships now. 

Safety

Several vehicles come with SmartSense, which offers several safety features: 

  • Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
  • Driver Attention Warning
  • Blind-Sport Collision WArning
  • Lane Keeping Assist
  • High Beam Assist
  • Safe Exit Assist
  • Smart Cruise Control
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Warning
  • Rear Occupant Alert
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The Bad

  • Average Consumer Satisfaction

Average Consumer Satisfaction

Hyundai doesn’t have the best rating on the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index study. With a score of 80, it wasn’t the best- or worst-rated in the car market. It tied with 8 other brands, garnering an industry average, middling score.

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The Bottom Line

This dark horse automaker out of South Korea has been building a solid reputation as a reliable car maker with one eye on the present and the other on the future. Hyundai offers a model lineup with safety features and style in combination, as well as several sustainable options, including hybrid, hybrid plug-in, fully-electric, and hydrogen-fueled models.

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Star Rating

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4.5

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164 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

60%

4 grade

29%

3 grade

9%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

1%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Janine Murphy

Do not feel the company is compassionate and equitable about leasing program. They find small issues and make customer pay for the minor dings and scratches on vehicle. They do not work with customer on possibly purchasing vehicle after lease and would rather send car to auction, preferring not to sell to lease holder.

7 years ago

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OrvilleBro Herriman, UT

Hyundai has so much potential, but they seem to always include the cheapest materials in their cars. However, the value they offer in their bells and whistles and their warranty make them very tempting. I ultimately went a different direction in my car hunting because I felt the lack of resale value and build quality of internal components were no match for their competitors.

4 years ago

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Blake Hirschi Salt Lake City, UT

Through various circumstances I have owned two Hyundais in my life. They are affordable, fuel efficient and compact. So if you live the life of a poor college student or have a high schooler that needs a beater car, this is a good option. If you live the life of anyone who wants to accelerate faster than 60mph in 60 minutes or want to take your car any surface that's not perfectly flat and straight than maybe another car is the way to go.

5 years ago

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Christina Kaysville, UT

We currently own a Hyundai and would probably not own one again. We have had to put a fair amount of money into repairs, and have several things break after about the 10 year mark.

7 years ago

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Lori Fletcher Saratoga Springs, UT

Returned our lease and wasn't happy with the customer service. It's like they are mad at you for not purchasing a car. We brought the car back with low miles and pristine condition and they still want the drop off fee. Get that out of your contract in the beginning!

6 years ago

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Jade Knowles Abingdon, MD

I love my car, but after the recalls that were put out my car started to act a bit weird. I got car serviced and the recalls were taken care of, but I’m still having the same problems.

5 years ago

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Dwhoush ,

I was looking to buy a Hyundai Elantra a few years ago and it was not really a great experience. The salesman was very pushy and there were very few friendly people at the dealership.

6 years ago

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Janice Polisky

Vehicle has been ok, but safety in design for viewing, uncomfortable seats with difficult to clean cloth, tire noise could all be improved

7 years ago

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Cindy R Tallahassee, FL

I used to drive a 2013 Hyundai Elantra the style and smoothness of the car was great. I had a lot of problems with the tires and check engine light but it was a good car.

4 years ago Edited October 27, 2021

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Tammy West Valley City, UT

Hyundai’s are great if you’re just looking to save a buck or two. The paint job won’t hold up and you’ll need a roll of duct tape to hold things together.

5 years ago

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Jon Scoresby Saratoga Springs, UT

I have rented hyundai cares when I traveled for business. It was a good car and did the job. I wondered how long it would last. it felt pretty solid.

7 years ago

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S Logan, UT

I had a 99 accent. It served me well, the motor blower and associated mechanics failed and were extremely difficult to replace.

7 years ago

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John King

Ok for cost effective economy cars. I wouldn't buy one for a family or as a luxury vehicle.

7 years ago

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Zac Marx Brighton, CO

Hyundais can be really reliable if you know what you are looking for. I enjoyed my Hyundai for the time I had it.

7 years ago

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Alice

Always courteous. Ease of making an appointment. Too many recalls.

7 years ago