Hyundais are considered cheap vehicles mainly because they use less expensive materials for their manufacture. They are produced in large quantities, priced at a lower price to capture market share. In addition, companies in South Korea manufacture engines in-house and offer attractive discounts and incentives on new vehicles. With decades of combined experience covering the latest news, reviewing the best equipment and advising you on your next car purchase, The Drive is the leading authority on everything automotive.
The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you buy a product through one of our links. So you want to buy a Hyundai but are not sure about the reliability of the Korean brand? Well, you've come to the right place. The excellent information team at The Drive is well versed in everything related to Hyundai's reliability, and we're here to share that information. Although you may not be familiar with the history of Hyundai, the brand dates back to the late 1960s.
After initially partnering with Ford, Hyundai has become a global powerhouse and sells more than a million vehicles worldwide every year, of which more than 700,000 are sold in the United States. Part of that success is because the company has taken advantage of affordability across its entire range. The other part comes down to the reliability and engineering of every car, crossover, and SUV. As with all manufacturers, there are some bad apples and customers may consider them to be widespread problems that ruin the brand's reputation.
To dispel those myths, The Drive team explains the Hyundai lineup. Reliability depends on a number of variables, but the two most important structural supports are the development and manufacture of a vehicle. When automakers spend time and money developing a car and its manufacturing line, a car tends to last longer. Hastily designed, poorly manufactured and cheaply manufactured materials will reduce the longevity and reliability of the car.
There is also a work ethics variable that cannot be ignored. The reliability cultures of Honda and Toyota, in general, embody that ethic and, therefore, have kept each other's legendary reliability in the minds of consumers for decades. Add in longer-than-normal warranties and good customer service, and it's easy to see why these Japanese companies have enjoyed a strong position for so long. However, once a car leaves the dealership parking lot, external factors affect the car's durability.
The longer answer is that the reliability and longevity of a car are inextricably linked to how you care for it, your maintenance program, your conservative or reckless driving habits, and whether or not you live in climates where extreme weather conditions could affect the construction of the car. Preventive maintenance, such as regular oil changes, fluid discharge, tire rotation and fuel system cleaners, in addition to keeping the exterior and bottom of the car clean, will increase the life expectancy of the car. Keeping it away from the harsh tropical or desert sun, as well as salty roads that cause winter rust, will also extend its lifespan. Here at The Drive, we've driven almost every model in Hyundai's ever-expanding range.
We've also had experiences with previous Hyundai models, some of which weren't great. Here's a brief overview of the most reliable Hyundai models from the past 10 years. As one of Hyundai's best-selling offerings, the Santa Fe is also one of the most reliable crossovers, according to RepairPal. With a rating of four out of five, the Santa Fe ranks second among 26 other mid-size crossovers.
Both the NHTSA and CarComplaints have registered almost zero complaints for Santa Fe in recent years. As with other car brands, not all Hyundai models are built to the same demanding standards as the reliable vehicles mentioned above. This is a quick summary of problematic Hyundai deals, including customer issues and complaints. A customer complaint read: “Our Tucson moved downward when we reached an intersection and was not moving more than 5 mph.
We almost got hit by a tractor trailer. This is the third serious incident related to the transmission of this vehicle. We won't drive it until Hyundai replaces the transmission. Since the transmission failure is being removed from the market, you shouldn't lose a dollar.
However, if you're considering a used Tucson, make sure the transmission has been repaired by Hyundai. Previous Hyundais weren't reliable, but it's been many years since that dark era. Today's Hyundai cars are very good cars and yet offer fantastic value propositions. Hyundai is a valuable brand that has been on a continuous path of improvement.
In recent years, it has grown to be high-end both in fit and finish, as well as in price, but overall the line is still quite affordable. If you need a new engine or you just crashed into the Prius at the idle in front of you, it will cost you a lot. If you are only going to change the oil, it will be affordable. Toyota's legendary reliability remains intact, yet brands like Hyundai, Honda and Kia are catching up quickly.
The information team at The Drive suggests that if you're buying used cars, hire a professional mechanic to inspect the car. If you are going to buy a new car and enjoy the car during the test drive, you are likely to be satisfied with your purchase. Technology, performance and design in your inbox. The articles may contain affiliate links that allow us to share the income from any purchase made.
In a world dominated by German luxury vehicles, Hyundai was able to penetrate the market by offering a high-quality vehicle that is generally cheaper than its competitors. In addition, Hyundai vehicles tend to hold their value well, which means they can be sold at a good price when it comes time to upgrade them. For example, while other automakers took a more conservative approach to dealing with the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year, Hyundai took the opposite approach and ensured that its dealers were well-stocked with inventory and provided excellent financing rates and conditions for continue to drive greater demand. According to CarBuzz.
In short, Hyundai cars are very cheap because they are produced in large quantities, use mostly cheaper materials for interiors, make their own engines, use competitive prices to capture market share, and offer incentives for new cars. It's hard to resist offers like this, and for this reason, you'll always see a lot of Hyundai on the streets; customers love the immediate savings. Korean cars, such as Hyundai, are still relatively new to the US market and are therefore still trying to increase brand recognition. As you can see in the table above, although buying a new Hyundai Elantra is a little cheaper than buying a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic, the difference isn't huge.
This causes a crowd of low-mileage Hyundai to flood the second-hand market, causing a lot of competition and lower prices. This helps consumers because the vehicle is more affordable; it helps Hyundai because word-of-mouth recommendations can attract more customers. Although as a brand they had many ups and downs, Hyundai managed to weather the storm and keep going strong, one of the main selling points when it comes to Hyundai vehicles is the price. Hyundai is one of the world's largest automakers and, as such, has the economies of scale needed to keep prices low.
Therefore, when Hyundais hit the second-hand market, there is not the same demand for them as for a Honda or a Toyota. In addition, Hyundai vehicles offer a high level of standard equipment, helping to keep sticker prices low. . .
