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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  Perfect do-all commuter - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By thm73 - September 4 - 3:46 pm

  Hesitant as I was to buy a Korean vehicle, I am glad I did. Ive only owned the car for 2 weeks now - but at 1200 miles now (I can finally use the cruise control!) - its been flawless. There is nothing about this vehicle that I havent expected (not the fastest engine) - and a few things that I have been pleasantly surprised about - (the A/C gets too cold?!?) - this car is built with quality in mind - and is right on par with its competition; at a better price to boot. In order to get ABS - I opted for a model with the sunroof/traction control/ABS package- which adds about $1300 to the base price GT - worth it in my opinion - and you get a sunroof too! I see no reason not to buy this car.

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  The Tucson is #1! - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Stephanie - September 4 - 3:10 pm

  I had a full size van for the last 11 years. I was unable to decide on the type of car I wanted to replace it. After seeing and driving the Tucson, my mind was made up! It is so easy to get in and out of. I have back and leg problems, and this vehicle had everything I was looking for. Style, comfort and ease. I love this vehicle and recommend it to all!!!!

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  Good Car - Great Buy - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By buyer1 - September 3 - 11:26 pm

  We have never owned a Hyundai before and we are pleasantly surprised. Great commuter car with great gas mileage. Very sporty feeling when driving. Most of all - an incredible amount of room inside - the back seat fits 3 comfortably and the hatchback trunk almost fits as much as out SUV. Very modern gadgets inside from the IPOD connnector, sun roof and great stereo with controls on the steering wheel. Finally a good deal on a good car.

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  good value & great ride - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By tttech - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Just 2 weeks so far but Im impressed. My GT has everything I want in a refined package. If things continue going well this will be a very sought after vehicle for Hyundai.

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  What is it, seems used - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By lost no help!!!! - September 2 - 2:03 pm

  Car received as new, missing standard parts. motot and glove box repaired without my ok. motor is hard to start! dealership/Hyundai do not back this car, why? BIG MISTAKE TRUSTING THEM, THEY ACT MORE LIKE BULLIES IN GRADE SHOOOL. Look elseware, I feel ripped off or worse (fraud).

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  Follow up -Reliability unknown - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By matt8265 - September 2 - 3:56 am

  This looks to be a super car and Ive bought 10-15 in the last 15 years including Toyota and Honda. There is NO doubt in my mind that this car is by far better than the Toyota for value, safety and features.

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  Pleasant Surprise - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By akabud - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I recently had the steering recall done (no problems found) and was out of the dealership within 30 minutes. Two days ago, I received a letter from Hyundai Corporate apologizing for the inconvenience of the recall. In that letter was a debit Mastercard with a preloaded amount of $20...good to use anywhere Mastercard is accepted. This is the first time in 45 years of vehicle ownership and dozens of recalls, that any manufacturer whose cars that I have owned, responded in this manner. I just turned over 4k and had my first oil change done at the dealership. I was further surprised when I found out that there was no charge for the first oil change. Small detail, big customer smile! Love my car.

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  Thank you Hyundai! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By cargirl - September 1 - 7:26 am

  I researched for months before the final purchase. We have owned many vehicles in the past, 7 Toyotas. I have now changed my opinion and have become a believer in Hyundai. The Sonata was built with alot of thought and it shows. If your in the market for a new car you should do yourself a favour and take it for a spin. Your bank account will be glad you did!

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  movin on up - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By db9938 - August 31 - 10:30 pm

  Well, like most everyone else our family grew and so did our needs. Shopping the big three minivans GM,Chrysler, Ford, and Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai, we choose the Hyundai. The price, $10-$15K less than the rest, the safety, by the nhitsa and the iihsta reports, and of course the the over all fit/finish. The domestics were not even in the same league of the others, especially in fit and finish. When it came down to the others the price and warantee were the biggest deterrents. If they are willing to sell a $40K van, then it should have a warantee that reflects the true value of their product. Otherwise, price accordingly.

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  I Love it! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By MJ - August 31 - 12:00 pm

  I have owned my Santa Fe for 3 weeks. I have always been a Ford owner, but this car made me say WOW! Solid Build, quiet ride, fuel economy exactly was the sticker claims, extremely fun to drive. I thought I would never buy a foreign vehicle, but I am sold!