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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  SANTA FE - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By BOBBYO308 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  EXCELLENT VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY,A LOT OF STANDARD FEATURES THAT ARE NOT USUALLY FOUND ON VEHICLES IN THIS PRICE RANGE.VERY SATISFIED WITH THE OVERALL QUALITY OF THE SANTA FE.WOULD NOT HESITATE TO RECOMEND .

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  Nature Lover - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By David J - January 20 - 7:10 pm

  Before choosing this vehicle, I tested Honda CRV and Toyota Rav4 (4 cylinders) but ended up with total disappointment. Both vehicles were overpriced and underpowered. Then I tested Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. I preferred Highlander. However, I decided to give Hyundai Santa Fe a try. As soon as I drove the demo on the highway, I immediately fell in love with this model: beautiful exterior and interior design , excellent sound system and more importantly, a very dynamic and sporty power train but with a much more reasonable price tag. I have put over 37,000 miles on the SUV, not a tiny problem. I always brought the vehicle to the dealer for recommended services. the best SUV choice!

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  Unexpectedly Great! - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By bodsman59 - January 20 - 4:03 pm

  My wifes 2003 Subaru Forester was getting long in the tooth so we knew a replacement was in the cards. I drive an Explorer and she like sitting higher and safer, but wanted something smaller. We looked at Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner, but it was very pricey. Also looked at the new Kia 2011 Sorento. We both knew the Santa Fe was the right choice as soon as we drove it. More than enough power, posh and roomy interior, well built and fun to drive. My wife loves it and we were out the door under 23K on a 29K list price. I also like that its built in the USA. Never thought Id drive a Hyundai, but now my wife has to get up early or shell be driving the Ford.

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  Im Glad I did - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Katie - January 19 - 6:56 pm

  Ive now put 3500 miles on my Tiburon. We seem to be getting used to one another. So far I am very happy with my sporty little ride. I get compliments often and lookers regularly. I am really enjoying it and its overall performance it plenty for me. Never thought I would want a sports [or in this case just sporty] car, but Im glad I did. Ive read reviews containing comments about the lack of leg room in the back seat. Come on, does anyone expect back seat leg room in a sports car.

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  Hyundai XG350 is a hidden Jewel - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By reopat - January 19 - 10:00 am

  Came off a 1999 Nissan Maxima GLE with 48000 miles. Wont knock the Maxima. They are two different animals. The XG has the luxury I was looking for, at an affordable price. These other near luxury sedans are pricing themselves out of the market. Hyundai has found a jem here and it will only get better.

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  Outrageous car!!! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By MikeyTibb - January 19 - 10:00 am

  Hyundai has done it! The new 2003 Tiburon is not heard of, at this price at least. It is nice and FAST, and with a few inexpensive modifications it is even faster! Everyone asks what I drive, I comment just a Hyundai, see the faces of disgust, but then I show them the car and give them a ride, the faces change and they want one now! I say get it if you want it, who cares if its Hyundai, you will be surprised!!

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  Best Bng for the Buck! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ganboy - January 19 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I compete for driving this vehicle. We have 2 other cars, a VW Jetta and a Honda Accord. The Hyundai Elantra GT is a clear winner! I would recommend this vehicle to my most hated enemy.

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  Not just a great value, a great car. - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Rallyred - January 19 - 10:00 am

  I visited dealerships every day over a full week and test drove almost a dozen competing vehicles. I still cant believe that exactly the right car for me was also the cheapest. Of course this car isnt for everybody. But if you care about driving enjoyment, comfort, and most of all utility, test drive this car immediately! Besides looking great, the interior is highly functional and the seats are very comfortable for long drives. For some people, the exterior of any hatchback takes getting used to. But it wont take long to appreciate all that cargo area! Just dont be surprised when everybody asks you about your new Saab (or Lexus).

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  GREAT - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By SMITH - January 19 - 10:00 am

  EXCELLENT VEHICLE IN AND OUT WITH GREAT PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING. THE CHANGES THEY MADE WERE EXCELLENT.

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  She is the one..... - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Tylerjr - January 18 - 9:56 pm

  This is the best car that Ive ever driven. My family has cars such as the Toyota Camary and the Cadillac CTS. I have to say that the Azera handles better than both of those cars. The build quality is excellent and the standard features are to many to number. This car turns heads and is very beautiful in apperance. Kudos to Hyundai for making a car that can challenge the more expensive cars for less the price. Keep making cars like this affordable for those without a lot of money.