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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  Fast, but you pay for the power - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By fishingsocprof - September 15 - 1:46 am

  We have put about 26K on our 2006 Azera SE. Bought it for about 22K. Lots of zip but overall gas mileage right about 21.5. Have had some issues with it (a/c compressor overvoltage, rear windows not going down, crack in dash) but dealer has been very good about fixes. As with most dealers, service dept tries to make a lot of money. Saying that I had to flush and fill transmission at 30K to keep warranty. 175 dollar deal. Easy to change trans fluid yourself on this car. Finally pinned them down and flush/fill not required to meet warranty, just drain and refill. Keep receipts for trans oil, of course and use special Hyundai oil like the book says.

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  I highly recommend this car - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By John - September 13 - 8:18 pm

  For the money, this one of the finest cars that I have ever drove. The vehicle has everything at your fingertips and all the controls are easy to figure out WITHOUT reading the owners manual. This car has the Camry, Accord & Impala beat. Fuel mileage 29-30 mpg @ 70mph....very good for a vehicle of this size

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  Elantra - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Brad Amann - September 13 - 2:00 am

  We have had this car for two years. I think it is a great car for the money. It isnt fast but has enough power to pull 4 adults up a hill without feeling like you will not make it. With dual front and side air bags and a nice interior there is no reason to pay more for a Honda or Toyota unless you just like the name.

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  surprising coupe - 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By zimboy - September 6 - 10:48 am

  The eye-catching rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe surprised from the moment i started it. Nice sport sound and then very responsive motor and torque. Great visibility excellent grip and just-firm-enough suspension make it a delight to drive. The 2.0T wont throw you back in your seat but performance is enough to have legal fun and yet be a practical day-to-day car. I test drove the 3.8 V6 and found it to be a bit wild and hard on the road. But if you want more power it is great.

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  Decent Car - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By John - September 3 - 1:32 am

  I got this car as a hand down from my parents when it was at about 55K miles. We bought it brand new in 2001 and had zero problems with the car until recently. After 50,000 miles the Engine had to be replaced. Though its been running great as long as Ive had it, the only problem I see now is the auto-Tranny is lagging (at 65K Miles) but thanks to the 10year/100K mile warranty that wont be a problem. The power you get is surprising for a 4cyl. I have no problems passing people on freeways and it handles corners very well for a Sedan. I wouldnt recommend this car but its fairly reliable.. if your stuck with it, itll get you from point A to B without many problems.

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  2003 GLS - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By KoiReef - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Bought as a commuter vehicle, and chosen because of price and warranty. A tremendous value. I am a firm believer in bang for the buck, and there is a lot of car to like here for the price.

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  Could have been better - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Marion - September 1 - 8:33 pm

  Had a 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo that that the ripe old age of 13 years reliably got me to Texas from Michigan, I love the classy look of this car, but I dont really like the Hyundai dealers that can never find issues that I tell them it has. There is something wrong with the electrical system, the car doesnt unlock at times, all the lights in and out went out one day when I was at the stop light and magically came back on when I pressed the gas pedel, I have had the battery checked all ok, drove the car to a store and had to have it jumped when I came back out?, I dont know if I can trust it. Hyundai is not a big help. To many issues for not being very old. There is more but no room

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  Stiff - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By kws1949 - September 1 - 5:07 am

  Dont expect to ride cloud 9. My GLS will make running over a mouse feel like a speed bump! Suspension is VERY stiff...and so is the handling...will turn on the blink of an eye. Heating system is so-so. Comfortable for smaller people but as Im a BIG man, the seats are not built for me. AWD helps in the rain and snow here, which is the major reason I purchased the car.

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  Just what the wallet ordered - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By SlashDaddee - August 31 - 5:40 pm

  Shopped Civic, Corolla, Focus and all others but none could give a total package vehicle. They might be equal or slightly better in one area but none could deliver everything and a great price, except Hyundai. Elantra was the only one that had ABS, traction control, gas mileage, leather, cruise, sunroof, hatchback, 6 speakers, side airbags, automatic, HUGE warranty, and best price ... $14,500 paid. Im getting 30 miles to the gallon (highway driving) and the engine isnt even broken in yet. Im 61" and the car has plenty of room for my legs. The storage space with the hatchback is good. Overall, I got more for my money than I ever expected when I started shopping.

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  POOR GAS MILEAGE - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sam - August 30 - 9:11 pm

  Bought a used Hyundai Sonata Limited, 63,000 miles, nice car, I bought if for the gas mileage.. Wrong there it gets 26 miles to the gallon city or hwy dont matter 26 best I get.. Real disappointed.. We be selling it this spring.... Wont never buy another one..