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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  Terrific Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mike M - August 9 - 9:23 pm

  This has been the most maintenance free car that I have ever owned - hands down. I have 110,000 miles on it and it still rides nice and smooth like the day I bought it. Outside of normal maintenance, the only thing that I have had to replace is a front headlight. The cost to operate this car is extremely minimal. I am passing it on the my daughter and I fully expect to get another 110,000 miles out of it.

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  Couldnt ask for better - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Jun - August 9 - 7:18 pm

  Buy it, best in its class.

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  Great Car! - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By Danno - August 9 - 1:45 pm

  I purchased a new 2009 Elantra SE, and I absolutely love it! The more I drive it, the more I enjoy it. The 16" Alloy wheels with the Hankook performance tires make the handling awesome to drive. I chose the metallic pearl grey with the rear spoiler and it looks great! I have previously owned two new BMW 3 series, and I in no way feel like I am driving a "poor cousin" of the BMW. I am in no way saying this car is as good as the 3 series, but for the money, WARRANTY, and performance, you cannot go wrong with the Elantra. The economy has changed my purchasing power right now, and I am so glad I made the Elantra my choice. Cash for Clunkers Rocks!

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  Terrible Purchase - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By leafsrule - August 9 - 1:39 pm

  I have owned this car for 1100 kms and so far the two front seats needed to be repaired as they came lose and wobbled. But my biggest problem is the car has no heat in the rear vents. An issue for car owners in Canada! Took it to the dealership and they said it was a design issue and nothing they could do? So, I am stuck with a car that doesnt heat the back-half of the car. Actually it blows cold air, which makes it worse. The car looks great, but stay away from this one, looks are deceiving.

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  Trade in values for hyundai - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By danpatt2 - August 8 - 6:01 pm

  I can see why Hyundai now has a trade in assurance program so you can get some value for ther cars. I bought a 2010 genesis 3.8 fully loaded with navagational for $30,000. They still sell 2011 and 2012 for around the same price. Bottom line, dont expect much for your trade. My 2010 was show room condition with only 5,250 miles when I traded it in, after fighting for about a hour, I recieved 21,000 for my trade in. This car performed well, great power, so so handing, was totally un-comfortable on the open roads. With all the commertials from Hyundai saying they where #1 in customer satisfaction, I would never buy anoyher Hyundai again. unfortunatley both my sons bought Hyundai, never ag

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  VERY DISAPPOINTED - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mrs Barrett - August 8 - 4:19 pm

  I bought this car in 06 with only 15k miles on it so it was like brand new. I bought it because of the reputation of reliability, quality and gas mileage. But right at 50,000 miles in the middle of a road trip, my radiator suddenly cracked without warning and all of my coolant leaked out on the spot and my engine overheated. It all happened within 60 seconds at a stop light. I ended up stranded for 4 full days. Finally the dealership discovered the cracked radiator. No one can explain why that happened. I have kept impeccable care of the car. In fact I checked my coolant levels etc before I left on the trip. All was fine. It cost me over $1000 and now I am nervous to go on a trip!

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  a true suprise - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By thrilled - August 8 - 2:10 pm

  I bought this car for nothing more than fuel economy. I took a real leap of faith in that I only saw a picture because the dealer had none in inventory, also never test drove the car. When I picked it up it was more than I imagined, it had a great look both exterior and the interior was much better than I thought it would be. Seats and int. Color is beautiful stereo is fantastic XM is fantastic (3 months free ) car drives very well handles nicely and all for 8 out the door. Car has a desert pkg and all floor matsonly complaint is dealership refused to give the $1.49 gas deal. This is a definate surprise never expected this car to be this good. Keep thinking they delivered wrong car

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  A great value for the money - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By ssb73q - August 8 - 2:01 pm

  We live in a very hilly region of Western New York State. Economy cars we have owned would always struggle on the hills. The air conditioner would need to be turned off. The Elantra moves smartly up the hills without a struggle and we remain cool. A test drive with the Toyota Corrola showed a lack of power, the Honda Civic on hills was ok, but the dash arrangement was a bit too hokey and the cabin cramped. The Elantra’s clean no- gimmick controls and dash were much more user friendly than the competition. The handling of the Elantra is crisp and the SEs ESC has allowed me to avoid a collision with a deer while moving 55-60 mph. Any other non-ESC car would have been in the collision shop.

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  like this car so far - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By R Fritz - August 8 - 12:40 pm

  Shifts smoothly and plenty of pep. Rides and looks like a Volvo. Precise handling,but bumpy ride. Hard seats, but comfortable with 8 way adjustable. Well equipped with even a refrigerated glove box. Quite roomy and a good value. No gas mileage figures yet. Good warrantee, but plenty of exceptions

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  Would not recommend - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By smurphy - August 8 - 4:06 am

  I never drove a car that was such a lousy performer. The gas mileage and the power train leaves alot to be desired. While the interior is nice and the appearance is nice, I was completely disappointed in the transmission, engine and gas mileage.