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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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bill S - September 20 - 9:36 pm

  I bought this car based on a "promise". And now I can tell you that I am very happy I went in this direction. Wow! Drive it and you will buy it. Solid, comfortable and quiet. Plenty of "get up and go", nicely appointed interior and plenty of storage. Handling in the snow is fantistic. I had considered the CR-V and the RAV4 and after driving each one, before buying the Santa Fe, there is just no question of which is best. I was hoping for a little bit better gas mileage. After about 3000 miles I am getting 21.1 MPG. Not the worst!

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  Very impressed - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By GL w/sport pkg - September 20 - 8:02 pm

  I have only had this vehicle since end of July 2009 and must say that I am quite happy with it so far. It is the GL w/ the sport package(rear spoiler, 16 " alum. wheels, fog lights and skirt package. It really makes the car stand out beside a regular elantra. My only complaint is the rear trunk lid has developed a very annoying rattle, dealer says it may be the spare tire tools and jack. Otherwise, it is a great little car. Great on gas, fit and finish is good, and it handles quite nicely. Anyone considering a Toyota Corola, or Honda Civic should look at this vehicle before they buy...

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  6 Month review of my Genesis - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Daniel - September 20 - 6:04 pm

  See my original review " Instant Classic" on 04/21/09. Ive now own my Genesis 3.8 Tech for nearly 6 months. No problems so far, fit, finish, ride remains top notch. The exterior design is even better than first thought while the mileage slightly less (lots of city driving) than before. The integrated bluetooth is used extensively and all autos should have them for safety in todays cell phone culture. The navigation even easier to use once you know all the short cuts Ive had no problems with the suspension and the ride remains a nice balance between soft and hard. Never a day goes by that someone takes a noticeable interest in my Genesis, This automobile is special!!!!!

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  Keep Improving - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Keep Improving - September 20 - 12:30 pm

  Car is well equipped for money compared to other car companies but the fabric on seats has poor durability and the noise from road is loud in hatchback model unless you are on very good pavement. Traction on snow wasnt as good as equally equipped front drive cars from other car companies Ive driven.

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  This SUV Rocks - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ProBannerAds.com - September 20 - 2:00 am

  We looked at EVERY SUV out there. This was by far the best deal and quality overall. I highly recommend this SUV to anyone.

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  Elantra GT - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By tbag - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Great car for the money, lots of standard features, 1.5 years old and still going strong! I highly reccomend the GT model.

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  So far, so good - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By krikel - September 18 - 10:20 pm

  Have to say its a good car for the money. Others complained about tires, but mine came with Michelins which were replaced just recently (I have 45K on the car). Brake pads replaced 1x so far, & just now need new battery. Only complaint is driver side wiper fails (loosens) when icy snow builds up (living in MA, this is gonna happen). Dealership told me Hyundai designed wiper to fail rather than ice buildup making wiper motor burn out. If this is true, why didnt they make it so the passenger side wiper fails when it ices up rather than drivers side? Also had weird problem with brake lights staying on, but was just a stuck switch. Dealership fixed at no cost as it was covered under warranty

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  Pleasant Surprise - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Ledee131 - September 18 - 2:52 pm

  I was looking into buy a new car. I considered the Genesis brand. I changed the badge and I am happy with the car. It moves well and is comfortable. Hopefully, the car will last me for quite a while. I like the back lit controls at night. Really cool to drive in

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  First Day... - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By VJ and Rich - September 18 - 10:00 am

  We looked at all small SUVs and found the best values at Hyundai, so it was between the Santa Fe and the Tucson. The Tucsons interior sold us and the ride was very smooth and quiet. After we got it, during the long drive home (35 miles) the seats were alil too firm compared to the comfort of the Santa. We love the option of having the front seats fold down and make a long long back seat, very relaxing. We would say its not as powerful however its very adequate for around-the-town travel.

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  First on the Block - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Mark and Wendy - September 18 - 10:00 am

  We just bougt the new Tuscon and are amazed what Hyundai is giving away for such a great price. AWD, leaather seats + seat heater & 6 disk changer for under $23K! It looks much sleeker than the Santa Fe (lines are much cleaner) and rear cargo is plenty spacious for us (2 no kids!) Rides excellent & smooth.. we are very happy!