Are Hyundai Good Cars?

Used Vehicles from Korean Automakers: Are Hyundai Good Cars?

Hyundai Motor Group was named the most successful automaker in the US market in the 2022 J. D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). The Group’s Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands ranked three of the top four in the overall ranking of brands in the automotive industry.

If you want to buy a used Hyundai in Indianapolis, you will always find several good options for any budget at the Indy Auto Man car lot. Check the availability right now!

Used Hyundai cars for sale

How Reliable Are Hyundai Cars?

Hyundai is a favorite of the Korean auto industry. The fact that Hyundai’s rating has quickly risen to a high level is due to the following factors:

• The Korean government provides active support for the domestic auto industry. The essence of state aid is to ensure the necessary capital and promote an increase in exports. This strategy determines the constant growth in the quality of South Korean cars. Otherwise, the Korean auto industry simply would not be able to compete with famous brands in the global market.
• The competent production structure allows South Korean manufacturers to offer decent quality at affordable prices, a truly reliable product, and avoid unnecessary costs.
• The bottom line is that family holdings operate in Korea, uniting enterprises focused on various production profiles. For example, Hyundai Motors has production facilities in the automotive industry and also enterprises specializing in working with raw materials, in particular, blast furnaces. This fact allows the well-known Korean company to remain independent of price changes in metallurgy and produce high-quality vehicles at an affordable price.

Read more about the Hyundai brand history and bestsellers.

Are Hyundai Cars Better than Toyota?

If we compare Hyundai vs. Toyota, we’ll see that both brands offer similar performance and safety features across the model lineup. If you take the comparison a little more nitpicking, Toyota will be a couple points ahead in terms of safety and performance, while Hyundai will lead in features and affordability.

Read also our detailed Hyundai vs. Honda and Hyundai vs. Nissan analysis.

Do Hyundais Hold their Value?

You can hardly find Hyundai among the cars that perfectly hold their value .  The model line is constantly changing. The manufacturer regularly adds new features and updates the design of Hyundai vehicles. So, the cars became out-of-dated with the introduction of the restyled models. Their resale value is not the worst, though, just about the average. It is one more reason to buy a used one, which depreciates much slower.

Do Hyundais Have a Lot of Problems?

Hyundai cars are well-known for their quality and reliability. They will delight you with good dynamics and rich equipment. But, like any other car brand, Hyundai also has drawbacks and malfunctions, which may manifest after several thousand miles.

Engine: High Oil Consumption

Hyundai’s engines managed to get to the first position in the CarMD reliability rating, since they rarely broke down and did not require big expenses for repairs. However, they require regular maintenance:

• Every 6 thousand miles, the engine requires an oil change. And you need to replace it along with the oil filter. Moreover, US car owners recently filed a class-action lawsuit against Korean manufacturers – Kia and Hyundai. They did not like the fact that cars consume large amounts of oil. The statement is published on the Carcomplaints portal. The claims relate to almost all popular models with the Nu, Theta, Gamma, Kappa, and Lambda engine families released from 2009 to 2022.
• 10-15 thousand will require the motorist to install new spark plugs. They can last even longer if you use quality fuel.
• The cooling system will require the replacement of antifreeze at 25 thousand miles. And you will have to change the fuel filter as well.
• Indy Auto Man service experts recommend carrying out thorough flushing of the injection system every 30 thousand miles to avoid subsequent car jerking and unstable engine idling.
• After 35 thousand miles, you will need to install a new timing belt, and after 40 thousand, the unit will begin to require more and more oil.

Also, in 2015, Hyundai recalled more than 400,000 Sonatas that were found to have problems with the Theta II engine in the US. In March 2017, a recall campaign began for Sonata sedans and Santa Fe SUVs. Check whether your model has been recalled here .

Transmission: More than 25,000 Miles of Trouble-Free Driving

Both manual and automatic transmissions in Hyundai cars are of high quality and can last quite a long time without maintenance. To extend the gearbox life, you should take care of the timely oil change.

According to the manufacturer, oil change must be done every 60 thousand miles, but, as practice shows, it is better to do this every 30 thousand in the automatic transmission and 40 thousand in mechanics.

Every 25 thousand miles, the car owner needs to take care of replacing the clutch fluid and brakes. The clutch serves only about 75 thousand miles, depending on the operating conditions and your driving style.

Chassis: Attention to Stabilizer Struts

In most Hyundai models, the chassis, with proper handling, can last long. Even its minor parts can work properly after 60 thousand miles. The stabilizer struts are the most vulnerable elements. In many cases, after 20 thousand miles, wheel bearings begin to tap. If you face such a problem, don’t postpone diagnosing and repairing the chassis.

Interior and Body: Central Lock Flaws

The interior arrangement of modern Hyundai cars does not cause any concern. The only point is that every 15-20 thousand miles, the air filter is tightly clogged. Some Hyundai owners complain about the speedometer tapping. A central lock may have some flaws and fail for unknown reasons.

The body is made of high-quality material. It is not succumbing to corrosion for 7-8 years. If rust on the body appears earlier, it is most likely due to an accident when the paint has not been restored properly.

What Is the Lifespan of a Hyundai?

An average Hyundai model will last about 250,000 miles when properly maintained. If you drive about 15,000 miles per year, then your car will be able to last approximately 15 years before breaking down and requiring serious repairs.

Are Hyundais Expensive to Fix?

Hyundais are not expensive to maintain. Used car owners pay about $500 per year on maintenance and repair, which is cheaper than the average of $650.

Never skip your visit to the Indy Auto Man service center in Indianapolis if you want to avoid expensive repairs and enjoy the good quality and performance of Hyundai cars. And if you are not familiar with these Korean cars yet, schedule your test drive at Indy Auto Man already today!