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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  Test Drive It-You Will Buy It ! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Frank Duve - January 8 - 4:46 pm

  I have been waiting for this 2010 for almost 2 years. An awesome driving experience. On a recent 2,000 trip, averaged over 24 mpg. Friends drive MB, Lexus, BMW. Am so bored with their designs. I wanted something that will blow you away. The six is adequate. You dont need the eight. Get this car!

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  Pros and Cons but overall, decent value - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By FB - January 8 - 3:29 am

  I bought new in 1999 at only 84 miles. Now in 2010, Im at 149,000. 4-cylinder is decent during daily commute and actually smooth and quiet during highway cruising but dont even think about fast lane changes or quick acceleration on entrance ramps. Fuel pump and Tranny were problems during first 50,000 but warranty was in effect. Timing belt replaced after 80,000. Car groans over speed bumps, brakes have always squealed, and paint is chipping now, but other than regular oil changes every 3k, shes had no major repairs in her old age. Still averaging an impressive 28mpg highway today. Im finally getting another car but this ones lasted longer than I expected.

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  great ride - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By irlaxhicksy - January 7 - 9:28 pm

  i average about 30,000 miles a year and i have not had any problems with this car other then a thermostat at 75000 miles and oxygen sensor at 70000 miles, i live in the north east where we average five to six feet of snow a year and i never have had a problem in the snow till start driving in about a foot of it, and thats with two rear tires that wont pass inspection now

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  Great car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By rla443 - January 5 - 8:00 am

  After 58000 miles, it has turned out ot be a great investment. I looked at Lexus, Audi, Volvo and Nissan and found most of the same features and better power for over 10,000 less (if buying used, beat the depreciation). Perfect reliability. Only two complaints. The visor broke and wont stay in the back position and It would be nice to have a greater range of adjustability in the power seat. I will definitely buy again. My wife only averages about 21-23 MPG but the price difference is worth it.

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  Youve Got to drive it - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By KentKEN1147 - January 4 - 12:42 pm

  I tried many cars at Auto Show before deciding on Elantra SE, more interior room than many bigger cars. Handling fantastic when pushed on mountain roads but SE suspension is sometimes unforgiving on poor roads. If the road is bad youll definitely know it. The car is great on freeways but you have to drive it, on the on ramps dont leave it in "D" use the shift-tronic youll enjoy the power and control it gives you. Im a high mileage driver and enjoy the 30-31 mpg average Im getting. Long rides avg 34+ mpg.

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  Beats Corolla or Civic - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By John Shaffer - January 4 - 5:12 am

  very quiet cab..great radio. roomy for a tall person...easy entry...of the 8 small cars i have owned the elantra is the most comfortable and quiet car...

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  Solid Car for Hyundai - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Paul - January 3 - 12:31 am

  This car has put them on the map. Attractive design inside and out, and solid build with tons of amenities. Smooth engine and ride. The car has a good seating position and a large trunk.

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  sorry senior - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By marty lenny - January 2 - 5:06 pm

  After a few months non repairable transmission shifting problems. Drivers seat cushion repaired four times. Dunlop tires edges wear causes noise and vibration. Sunlight blocks nav screen and back up camera. Window washers only spray lower half of windshield. When starting the car in moist weather half the windshield fogs up. Windshield wiper blade still rubs even after being replaced. No light under hood.

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  Great car! - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Lindsay - January 2 - 11:32 am

  Overall I love my Elantra. When I was looking to buy a new car last year, I singled in on the Elantra because of its rave reviews and all the comparisons people were making between it and similar vehicles (Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic) in terms of dependability and other perks. My previous vehicle was a Toyota Corolla (so far I like the Elantra just as much). During the first year of ownership Ive not had any mechanical problems (knock on wood) and have had to do minimal maintenance on it. Its exactly what I wanted in a vehicle--its dependable, low-maintenance, nice looking, has acceptable gas mileage, has good standard features, and wasnt outrageous in terms of pricetag.

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  Great car for the price - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Lonnie - January 1 - 9:41 pm

  I bought this car as a commuter mostly because of the gas mileage. I was fully expecting to have to make allowances for driving an "economy" car but have been completely surprised in all respects. People are going to laugh but I actually drive my Elantra on weekends now while my 07 Caddy CTS spends most of the time in the garage. Absolutely no problems with nearly 45000 miles on the clock. I added aftermarket tinting and put new, larger tires on it with some aftermarket wheels just for appearance sake but theres not much else Id change about this car. All this for under 13000 out the door. Great job, Hyundai!