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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  My Baby Tucson - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Jammer - June 27 - 10:16 am

  I allways wanted an SUV and I test drove alot of them. The first reason I decided on the Tucson was because it drove and handled like a car. The second was it just fit me and my life style. LOVE MY TUCSON

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  2006 sonata gls v6 - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By johnnyo - June 27 - 10:00 am

  I am shocked at the quality of this car. I have gone from bumper to bumper inside and out and have found not one flaw in workmanship, paint, or fabric. This is my first car in my 53 years to have this kind of quality. The V6 is unbelieveable...tons of power! Gas mileage is great..higher than the sicker on the window said it would be. I always bought an American designed and built car. The Hyundai is made in the USA, but I can tell the quality design came from elsewhere...too bad Detroit, Hyundai is gonna sell a ton of these! John

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  Sonata GLS 4 cly Auto - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By JohnC - June 27 - 3:56 am

  WOW after test driving one for two days. I was sold...So I grab one and the 1st day I am having fun driving it. Great deal got it for under invoice and then 3k rebate A steel. Best buy for the $$$. You cant go wrong 4cly has plenty power.

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  Love this car! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Aura - June 26 - 8:20 pm

  This is my first passenger car, IÂ’ve always had SUVs, and so far I love it. The drive is fun and sporty and very comfortable to drive everyday to work. The quality in the feel and drive is great and the features are second to none. Highly recommended!

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  great - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By michael buswell - June 26 - 10:00 am

  I love my new car I got in Augest of 2003. The best car I ever had.

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  Hyundai = Fun day - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Stacy Romele - June 26 - 10:00 am

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  Not A Lemon But - 1999 Hyundai Accent
  By Bobby Perry - June 25 - 2:00 am

  After three years, car began to drive like a Sherman Tank. Bad suspension. Went to dealer and was told it was normal. Became normal after 3 years. Had another that drive comfortably for 11 yrs without delcine in suspension performance.

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  Undersold and over-delivered - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By joe - June 24 - 1:26 pm

  I took a chance buying this car believing that it would depreciate quickly. Who cares! This is by far one of the most comfortable cars I have ever driven. I considered the Acura TL, but there was just something about this car. Hyundai did not pump you up through specs and so on. They delivered a car for you to discover. Gas mileage has been great, but truthfully, operating time is the best comparison for city driving, gas mileage is about 0 per gallon at a light. You get about 10 hours drive time in the city. Read the manual and you will get much more out of your car.

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  Love it so far - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By etbill - June 24 - 10:00 am

  Have only had it short time but love it so far. Getting 26 MPG. Many great comments about it. Have the Crystal Blue which is a head turner.

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  Where are the Santa Fe LXs - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Big red - June 24 - 10:00 am

  I have been looking for an LX for months... Finally found one coming off the boat in 2 weeks. Supply is not meeting demand