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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  2007 Santa Fe - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mary Bertollini - July 31 - 6:40 pm

  Extremely enjoyable to drive - handles very well - tight to the road. Love it!!

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  Wonderful Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dave - July 31 - 3:46 pm

  I had to get a company vehicle and actually traded in a Mercedes SLK 230. The model to get is the GL 4 cylinder automatic. If you get all of the incentives available and buy over the internet, you may find yourself paying around $16000 plus tax. For that money, you will get a car that blows the comparably equipped competition (Camry, Accord)- out of the water. Seriously, the BASE Sonata has the same features as the mid level Accord and Camry. It is the perfect company car, and surprisingly, I like driving it. Great gas mileage, wonderful stereo. Hyundai has proven that it can build cars on par with the Japanese for several thousand less. What else is there to say?

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  tire pressure at delivery - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Lyle - July 31 - 10:26 am

  I read on line...somewhere...to check the tire pressure after buying the new Veracruz. The article stated that the cars are shipped from Korea with 50 lbs of air pressure. I checked mine and had 42 lbs in each tire..I believe 30 is normal, although I carry a little more in mine...you might want to check yours, if you havent

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  HYUNDAI ACCENT 2-DOOR - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By Glenn - July 31 - 8:45 am

  I did a ton of searching for the best but cheapest gas saver on the market today. I considered the fit, matrix, aveo, rio, and serveral others. By far Hyundai makes the best little gas saver out there. The warranty cannot be beat. This is my 4th Hyundai! I have never been disappointed yet by a Hyundai product or service. The only thing I can say is that if you buy a Hyundai in the Houston area do not go to best Hyundai as they are total crooks. I dealt with hub Hyundai in two different areas in the Houston area and they have both been great. I got this little baby for $11,250 with automatic and air and I just love it.

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  What are you waiting for? - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By devils1977 - July 30 - 10:15 pm

  Finally went with the SE Elantra after test driving a Nissan Sentra and Mazda 3. The Sentra is ugly and looks like it was made out of legos and the Mazda 3 is not made for anyone over 59" (I am 60). The Hyundai was the best choice and I am VERY PLEASED. The car has good looks, the 2.0L rides smooth and has a great punch. The interior is nice looking and roomy. The free 3-month subscription to XM radio is also an added bonus and I can listen to the 80s hits station for the whole ride. I HIGHLY recommend this car, it is the best bang for the buck with the best warranty out there. Hyundai is definitely going places, Toyota and Honda should watch their backs!

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  Efficient and FUN! - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By Beterraba - July 30 - 4:55 pm

  We bought our Accent a couple months back, it has been averaging 34mpg with some highway, some city driving. Radio is great. My husband is the main driver, and is 64" and fits just fine. A/C is working great, plenty of space in the car. We already fit a 40" tv in the back, and some other furniture (not all together). We love this car, and are so happy with the purchase!

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  very satisfied - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By john - July 30 - 1:43 pm

  I test drove or looked at other small SUVs. I purchased the Santa Fe Limited. The 3.3 liter engine is the best choice as appose to the 2.7 liter engine. My mechanic told me that the smaller engine is just a hiped up four cylinder engine. Even though the gas mileage suffers some what. The added power was worth it to me. I love driving this truck. it handles like a car and rides smoothly. After two plus years,the firm ride has loosened up a bit. Ive driven it from New York to Soutn Carolina, to Montauk Point and Orient Point from Western Nassua. Also four trips to Maryland. The Santa Fe had good manners at highway speeds. It did not drift like others have reported. I love everything.

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  Cant Beat the Value - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Steven - July 30 - 12:51 pm

  Purchased a 08 with the standard package (AC, Satellite radio, etc.) out the door cost was mid 14K. The cars engine is peppy and if when drive it conservatively we have averaged 30-31 MPG and this is ALL city driving. Could not be happier with the mileage. The car is the roomiest small car out there, we researched and test drove, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Kia, Mazda 3 and 6, Chevrolet Malibu. None of them matched the roominess of the interior or that of the trunk. I am 6 1" and my son who is the same height can sit behind me in relative comfort. Two large golf bags fit easily in the trunk, something you CANNOT do in the civic.

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  Great MPG so far !!!! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ed - July 29 - 4:53 pm

  I have only owned my new 08 Elantra for a week, but the MPG has already paid dividends. I drove 130 miles on my first 1/4 tank of gas, not bad. Overall, everything about the vehicle has exceeded my expectations. The XM radio will be a must in any future cars, its great. Very happy so far, even though its just been a week.

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  Great Car - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By angshewas - July 29 - 2:39 pm

  When I started looking to replace my 12-year-old car, I never thought that Id be able to afford a new one. Im glad I did some research. This is such a great vehicle for the price. Smooth ride, decent gas mileage and plenty of storage compartments. I also love the satellite radio, auxiliary output, the nice blue lights, the good-sized trunk that easily fits all our baby stuff and more, and of course the safety features and awesome warranty. I am so happy that I got this car. If it turns out to be as reliable as it seems so far, my next car will be a Hyundai, too.