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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  On the fence about this car... - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ashley - July 25 - 11:43 am

  I still havent decided if I want to keep this car or trade it in! Interior seems very cheap, back seat that folds down will not click back into place, hood has crease across it like a 2x4 got shut in the hood (but dealer is the only place the hood is opened when they do the oil change). Noise in dash like something vibrating around in glove box but nothing is in there. Great MPG, easy car to drive b/c of size, love the hatchback and fold down seats (when they lock back where theyre supposed to!) which give plenty of inside cargo space. Cheap exterior construction. Seems underpowered compared to Civic, Jetta, and other comparable cars. If I dont buy another its because of the dealership.

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  Too noisy - Badly built - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By somanycars - July 24 - 7:13 am

  At first I thought I really did well getting a Camry-like car for $3000 less. The V6 is smooth, power when you need it etc. The car is comfortable and you sit higher than in most other cars. The heater starts working within a mile. The car would be completely fun to drive BUT The BIG problem is that the 17" rear-suspension makes clunking noises on bumpy city roads. A Nov. fix supposedly doesnt include my VIN (according to dealer). In fact the car is weak on sound proofing There are other noises in this NEW car such as squeaking rear window, A rattle somewhere in the front roof as well. If you want precision carmaking, this is not the car for you - what a disappointment & hassle.

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  26 miles per gallon average/32 Hiway - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Suzan Gone! - July 23 - 11:44 pm

  excellent point a to point B car Maintenance first year $200dollars 2 oil changes & 1 year service/15kmiles Fuel economy 26 miles per gallon average/32 Hiway close 17 City/last 1500 miles 27 average. Ride with ABS,Traction control,braking better than average. Consumer Reports buying guide rates better than average/contradicts reliability ratings average/accident avoidance better than average frontal crash test Good A

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  Love This Car!! - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Gail - July 22 - 7:15 pm

  I was looking at the Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna, but stopped by to see the Dodge Caravan for the heck of it and there was this beautiful Minivan in the Showroom that had just come out. I loved the look and we took it for a ride. It is sooo much fun to drive!! I came back three times after driving a Honda Pilot and everything that had a third row seat. We got the cloth seats because they were heated, but I now regret not getting leather because its easier to clean. Gas mileage is awful, but I dont care, but someone who has to watch their pennies would have a problem with this. Also, I would like to see more interior storage.

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  not bad for the money - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By pleasedfornow - July 22 - 10:00 am

  The poor mans jag. Nice exterior look. The engine is slow on pick up but once it gets going the engines power is very respectable. The seats comfort and the position of the stearing wheal need improoving. I cant last more than 3 hours in that car without cramping up. I wouldnt want to take that car across the country.

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  Good little car - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By BobL - July 21 - 10:08 am

  Good little car for the money. Warranty is not what its cracked up to be. Gas mileage could be better for the size of the car. Clutch is slushy, almost NO feedback. Died after 30,000 miles and found out it ISNT covered under the powertrain warranty. Dealer wanted $1300 to replace, went locally and had it done for $800. Never had a clutch last less than 80,000 miles before.

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  A love/hate relationship... with my car! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By srhall89 - July 20 - 6:30 pm

  A very fun car to drive... When it isnt in the shop! Purchased from the dealership with 56k miles on it, one owner, and had problems since I got it! Passengers side strut was busted when I bought it, around $650 to get it fixed. Ran good for a while.. I bumped into a curb and broke the strut again, also set the drivers side airbag off when I hit the curb... Was only going around 15 MPH. Engine had began to make a strange clicking noise when a few weeks later my transmission defaulted to third gear. Transmission fluid and antifreeze began leaking into each other, paint started flaking off spoiler and passengers side mirror, stereo display went out, moonroof rattles very bad when opened.

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  MY evaluation is 7.8 just like 05-04 Ela - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By chazbro1 - July 19 - 7:35 pm

  06 hyundai Elantra has been a good car I am averaging better than 26 miles per gallon/32 Hiway 17 city. No problems I have my reservations because it has taken Hyundai 20 years to make excellent cars Koreans along with the Japanese quality is approximately 11 problems per car. Hyundai Kia were tied for twelvth J.D. Power survey for initial quality. The top third of 36 manufacturers with and industry average 125 problems per car(industry ave)

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  New Owner - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By pbg - July 19 - 12:20 am

  So far, lived up to all expectations. Solid ride, good power, and handles well.

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  Nice...but still need improvement... - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Tom Kim - July 17 - 11:18 am

  I been drive azera for little over a year. very nice car for money, but still need improvement, such as performance, gas milage, interior lay out, etc. Before i buy this, i did alots research... azera is best car for 30k and under, but doesnt feel like or compare to lexus nor infinity. im happy with azera for now, but in future i may trade in with lexus GS...