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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  1st Years Fun Azera Diving Experience - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By l ken keys - March 7 - 4:07 pm

  This past years 15,000 mile driving experience has been extremely enjoyable in our new azera ltd/ultimate. It gives great performance on regular gas. It included a 4700 mile trip of the maritimes (24.6 mpg), a 2667 mile trip to Baton Rouge, la. ( 23.8 mpg), and a 1961 mile to branson, mo. (22 mpg). On regular gas, the 5 speed automatic transmission, plus the dohc 3.8 liter al block v6 was much lighter on the front end, and performed better than the supercharged 3.8 cast iron block (premium gas) 1997 olds lss (4 speed automatic) car it replaced. In over all fact the much more completely featured azera was purchased in current dollars for less than my cost for the (new) 1997 olds. Great buy for the money.

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  Good value, nice vehcile - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By L&R - March 6 - 8:58 pm

  Have owned a 2009 GLS with the Premium Package for 2 months/1,600mi. Didn’t need the extra bells and the larger engine, so saved a few $$$. Comfortable ride and generously sized for 2 teens in the back seat. Does not feel big and is easy to park and maneuver in traffic. Plenty of power on hills (we live at 6,800 ft in Colorado and go up and down in elevation constantly), plus an average 21-22mpg on about 50/50 city/hwy driving. (yes, I do drive it nicely) There is plenty of power available if you choose to use it. I was quite surprised when I “jumped on it” the first time-got up to speed in no time! We did look at Honda, Toyota and Nissan and are happy with our decision.

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  Better than BMWs or Lexus for the price - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By Gary - March 6 - 12:23 am

  I wanted the Azera ever since they came out and finally purchased the loaded Limited with navigation. The car is fantastic fun to drive. great firm suspension with a sports car feel interior is top notch. The many features you get with the Limited would cost a fortune if purchased with a BMW or Lexus. Im looking forward to t nice road trip to the Florida Keys in April and expect to get 27 or so MPG. The 3.8 ltr engine is real quick and powerful. Passing on the interstate is easy. You have to remember to check the speedometer because 80 and 90 mph comes up before you realize it. You cant go wrong with the Azera.

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  Great car! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By emorse - March 5 - 3:10 pm

  Ive had the GT for five years now, few problems, only one repair I had to pay for myself. Original clutch and front brakes. Its been fun to drive, economical and reliable. After 99,000 miles, Im looking to trade on a Sonata, and I just wanted to say that anyone who buys one of these used, if its been treated right, youre getting a great value.

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  Outstanding Choice - 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By pokey411 - March 5 - 12:51 pm

  My choice was between this coupe or the VW cc and after driving the 3.6 and the 2.0 RSpec I landed on the 2.0 Premium. Very tight ride and smooth to the road, the interior is simple but very well designed and elegant. Comfort and noise level was important to me because of the amount of time I spend in my car, this does not disappoint, even on the 2.0. I believe the cloth seats are more comfortable than the leather. Acceleration is phenomenal, a tough choice between the 2.0 and 3.6 but a few dealers did say they liked the 2.0. Overall, you cannot go wrong with this car based on far to many factors

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  Excellent SUV for the money - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Kenneth Pedersen - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I did a lot of looking and research before I bought my 2004 Hyundai. Ive owned Broncos,Bronco IIs,S-10s and my last SUV was an Explorer. I was impressed by the ride, the amenities and that fantastic warranty. I love driving this car, and in our Minnesota winters, the car handles like a dream with TCS and AWD. Im not crazy about my gas mileage, but all things considered ,I have one fine automobile, and am planning on buying the new Hyundai SUV due out in 2006.

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  EXCELLENT SEDAN/CAR - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By GOOD CAR - March 4 - 4:42 pm

  Purchased a Tucson 4 months ago and loved its performance. Checked out a 2005 Sonata and loved the shape looking more like a Jaguar. Find it very durable, dependable and sophisticated. Would recommend it to all. It looks so sophisticated, yet costs so much less.

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  alot for the money - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Carl - March 4 - 10:00 am

  well worth it. nice car for the money. no problems so far.

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  Buy it Now ! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Oliver - March 4 - 2:10 am

  About two weeks ago, I stopped in the Hyundai dealership service dept to pick up an item. My wife said she wanted to see the new Sonata 2011 Limited in the showroom and would meet me in a few moments. Long story short.........we owned the Sonata one week later! LOVE this car. We went for the Limited with all the goodies. I hate driving and especially long trips. Now, that has changed and prior to the 2005 Santa Fe I traded in, we are coming off of Acuras. I told my wife I am NOT paying $40,000 for an automobile any longer.

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  my little/bid red elantra - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By big mike - March 3 - 3:40 pm

  I cross shopped cruze, focus, corolla and sentra. I bought an elantra for the unbeatable room, ride, performance, features and warranty!! I am 64 and I am very comfortable in this car - in most of the above cars the console cut on my right calfe of my leg. And the gas mileage is AWSOME I drive about 500 miles per week and with only 1000 miles on this car I am getting 33 - 37 mpg!!!!!!! the only thing I miss is not opting for the automatic headlights - trivial issue at best. I would HIGHLY recommend this car