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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  Better than a Honda - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Dominic - May 28 - 12:30 am

  If you are looking for an economical fully loaded minivan, I strongly recommend that you look into the Entourage. My family and I thoroughly love our van. We have family friends that own one as well and they love theirs as well. My only knock on the vehicle is its gas mileage. Other than that, it is an outstanding family vehicle. Go drive one and compare it to a Honda. Once you have driven both vans and you look at the cost difference, I am sure that you will understand why I recommend this vehicle. By the way, this is the 7th Hyundai that me and my extended family (brother-in-law, grandparents and second for me) have purchased.

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  Buyer Beware - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Henry - May 26 - 5:57 pm

  Ive owned my Elantra for almost a year, I bought it for around $4,500 in 2009. As I write this considering the age and mileage of my car I have boon somewhat lucky considering how hard I drive it. I have had some somewhat minor issues like CV joint problems and ball joint issues. Still I would definitely not recommend anyone buy one, unless it was in very good shape. Look into buying a reliable car and dont rush into buying. I wish someone would have told me this but instead I rushed and bought something cheap and I could have done better and so can you.

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  Great for high mileage drivers - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Renee - May 25 - 6:56 pm

  I bought this car "new" (it was a demo car with 160,00 KM on it) in 2005. Currently, its traveled 300,000 KM (just over 200,000 miles) with only maintenance service so far. I had to service the clutch at 250,000 km - and have had the breaks done 2x (unfortunately full replacement due to the salted roads in Canada). As far as reliability goes its been an awesome car for me, though its not luxurious, it does get the job done!

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  85,000 miles and here is the reality - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By ben - May 24 - 10:06 pm

  This car either drifts dramatically or catapults, hard on tires my receiver went bad Hyundai wants 1900 wont do a dam thing for me called lexicon what a joke voice activation also connected to receiver bottom line Hyundai says I use the radio too much. Not all bad though still have 15,000 mile warranty on power train yippee!

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  Third Van, Sad it is not sold now - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By KellyB - May 23 - 7:47 pm

  I bought my Hyundai brand new May 2007. Also owned Dodge and Pontiac vans, comparable to both. Just turned 66,000 miles. Commute 35 miles per day, can cruise easily at 70+ mph, consistent 21+ MPG, will sometimes get to 80 mph+ without realizing it. Plenty of room for big guy-I am 62", 300 lbs+. No kids, just 2 dogs, but wife and I love using the van to go tent camping and fishing with them. Outlets very handy. Never used DVD system, but sound system so good it must be used at less than 30% volume. Lack of parts availability for warranty work in Alaska frustrating. Only complaints: Remote door operation, fixed. TPMS monitoring system, not yet fixed. Drivers power seat a little rocky

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  Very Satisfied - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By SGM - May 23 - 7:28 pm

  Quiet ride at all speeds. Comfortable seating front & rear. The trunk is quite large and the rear seat backs fold easily for maximum space. A great value!

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  I love this car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By kd1985 - May 22 - 11:38 pm

  I bought this car brand new in 2002. I dont know what the other people are talking about but I believe theyve had 1 recall since then. I never had any problems with this car until I moved to a place that had crazy humidity and drastic weather change. Then I had a few problems here or there due to the drastic change, but thats it. I would absolutely buy another Elantra in a heartbeat.

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  2009 Carpet dont fit cut to short - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By Carpet dont fit - May 22 - 4:04 pm

  Carpet does not fit replaced 2 wks after new still dont fit & took back had them reorder another & still dont fit. Waiting for someone higher up to see what more can be done. Pretty bad their own parts dont fit their cars. Checked neighbors 2009 as well & same problem. The carpet is supposed to be tucked up under the console & stay under it. Engine replaced at 7,000 miles. Never got good gas mileage & still dont. Tires are horrible & car has poor traction - horrible in snow & rain. Have another Hyundai as well & love that one & fuel is better than advert. This one though leaves much to be desired & now I dont trust it. Had some rattle issues as well.

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  Sorry Senior - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By marty - May 21 - 1:26 pm

  Transmission still clunks and jerks. No cure available. Hyundai buy back plan worthless. Dealer has been very very cooperative. Sunlight blocks out nav screen and back up camera. Both front seats need more thigh support. No light under hood. Bad blind area when drivers seat is all the way back. Drives like a truck rides like a brick. Fist year deprecation more than 35%.

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  Great Car - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dennis - May 19 - 10:40 am

  Just passed 90K with no major problems. Changed timing belt, spark plugs and trans/coolant fluids. Front brakes at 75,000 miles and regular oil changes are all that has been required. Runs great, very smooth. Best car for the money I have ever purchased new.