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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  Pleasant Surprise - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By bayarea - May 23 - 9:46 pm

  This was my first non-Toyota/Honda vehicle and I was pleasantly surprised that my Hyundai Veracruz is such a great vehicle. I have had it for 8 months now and I am very satisfied with it. The ride quality is excellent and very smooth. Handles like a car on curves. In normal commute I get about 20 mpg on average, although I have even got up to 25 mpg on the I-5 from sf to la. The interior design is very thoughtful and practical. Very comfortable seating. No mechanical problems so far after 10k of driving. I paid about $4000 less than what I would have paid for a comparable Toyota highlander.

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  25000 miles no problems - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By 25000 miles - May 23 - 5:17 pm

  One year plus 25000 miles totally problem free. I usually keep a car about 1 year but this is my first keeper. Still love it and still get a lot oo enjoyment driving it. Only has had routine oil changes and tire rotation and still looks and drives like the day I bought it. Looked at Totota Mazda Nisson and made the right choice.

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  Great Fuel Efficient Car - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Frank - May 22 - 10:36 pm

  I am 63 240 and this car is great feeling when driving long trips, lots of room to relax. I am feeling good about this purchase so far.

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  This Car is Great - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Jeff - May 22 - 10:03 pm

  In the middle of a 5000 mile road trip. So far, from AZ desert to Yellowstone high country, to central Iowa. Car has not missed a beat, very comfortable for 10-12 hour days. Plenty of room for luggage. Gas mileage (which I complained about in my last review) has been unexpectedly good--between 25 and 30 mpg. I continue to believe the Azera is the best automotive value to be found, bar none.

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  2002 Santa Fe - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By stingray - May 22 - 10:00 am

  We have only had it a week but no problems. It is solid, sound, quite and very comfortable. It could have more power but we have another vehicle for that. My wife uses it to got to school and we live on a mountain with a very curvy road. The shifttronic transmissoin is terrific. We have the wood grain option, it really looks and feesl great. It is just the roight size for my wife, but we will be driving it more than our other car or truck.

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  Best Little SUV in Florida - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By doninfla - May 22 - 10:00 am

  After looking at all the SUVs in this class the Santa Fe was by far the best looking and after test driving mine I took it home that night. Everyone that I have shown it to are impressed not only with the looks and ride but with how slidly it is built. I love to show everyone just well the doors and hatch shut with a sound and feel of a Lexus or other top of the line SUVs.

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  Very Satisfied - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Risa5 - May 22 - 10:00 am

  I took my new Elantra GT on a long road trip from Central Illinois to Vancouver, BC and back this July and had absolutely no problems. My other adult passenger, my two 50-lb dogs and myself were comfortable throughout the trip. The car cruised easily and quickly along the highway. I experienced very little driver fatigue. My average gas mileage for the trip was between 28 and 30 mpg.

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  Compares well to two Maximas - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Fasteddie - May 22 - 3:53 am

  At 30K mi in 3 years, I have absolutely no complaints. The power/smoothness/quiet/comfortable ride & build quality have made the V6 Sonata a pleasure to own. The only repair so far has been the drivers sun visor, which was replaced under warranty, and Hyundai has a redesign that corrected the flaw. Hyundais 60K mi bumper to bumper warranty is much better than the competitions. The engine burns zero oil, and holds 6 quarts. I get 27-28 MPG hwy consistently, & 22.1 MPG on my 20 mi commute to work. My car is loaded, and a comparably equipped Camry would have cost me $36K. Mine was delivered for $19.2K. How can you beat the value? Id buy another Sonata in a heart beat!

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  incredible value; better than a minivan - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Happy Tucson Owner - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I had been driving a minivan for the last 17 years. From the first time I sat in the Tucson, I basically fell in love with it! I thought the Ford Aerostar was the best vehicle ever. However, I changed my mind within the first week of owning and driving the Tucson! Everything about it is just right. Not too big, not too small. Very comfortable. I also like all the safety features and the terrific warranty you get with the vehicle! Im hooked and look forward to many years of fun driving!!

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  A great buy in many ways - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Leonard - May 22 - 1:26 am

  Hyundai was first on my list and this purchase did not disappoint. The features of this car surpass its cost. Highway MPG has been a consistent 35. Interior is so roomy and trunk space is surprisingly roomy as well. XM radio and MP3 ability means I can listen to old time radio programs whenever I wish. The ride is very comfortable and quiet. Handling is smooth and responsive. The car has a nice pickup for a 4 cylinder vehicle and the controls are well thought out and easy to reach. All in all, a great car that is a pleasure to own and drive. My family has driven it and all agree it is a wonderful car.