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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  Smart Buy - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By Smelly - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I was very impressed to purchase a new car for only $7,000 that had such an extensive warranty. I bought it for reliable transportation back and forth from school and it has been wonderful. I will have it payed off in four years for under $177 a month. It had many more features than I have ever had before in a car such as power steering, independant suspension, variable wiper speed, air conditioning and cup holders. I can even fit two mountain bikes in the trunk when I put the seats down. Has alot of room for a small car and handles very well. Ive never thought twice about buying it and you shouldnt either if you need something cheap.

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  Impressive Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rondo - December 8 - 5:53 pm

  It made sense to buy a Santa Fe. Gas mileage was ok, there were alot of options for a low price and warranty was better then most other similar vehicles. The 3.5 engine is zippy and has alot of passing and towing power. Smooth ride and great acceleration. The full time AWD is great but Ive noticed the traction control operates roughly during acceleration from stop on a slippery road. I really like the seats and the driving position, which makes a 5+ hour drive more tolerable. After 75000 miles, the car hasnt had any problems and still drives like new.

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  98 Elantra - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By Treebeard5 - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This has been a reliable vehicle. It lacks the comforts of more expensive vehicles, but for the money its not a bad buy. No mechanical problems, just general maintenance including belts, hoses, battery, tires, etc. Would buy Hyundai again.

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  XG LOVER - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By CIRRUS63 - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Exterior receives a lot of compliments from both young and old. Vehicle is noisey on highway and most noticable when using handsfree cell phone. Has excellent passing abilities. Exterior factory paint not of high quality.

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  rear end collison - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By alan hanby - December 7 - 2:00 am

  it took impact fairly poorly. bumper and tailgate as well as interior plastic buckled tremendosly. air bags failed to deploy rear end coll speed was 35-45 mph. all that said i am looking to buy another santa fe by the way the tank was verywell protected.

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  SSS service still stinks - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By vin kehayas - December 7 - 2:00 am

  i was totally taken when i bought this car. great buying experience, until da - da-da-da i brought it to service. repairs i needed were minor but boy did they show their ignorance and lack of concern and plain stupidity.couldf not do a wheel balance correctly. tech could not find the problem i had even thou the part was on order from first visitand laying in parts dept, discover the differance, i did not.

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  Great Value - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By bri70 - December 5 - 10:00 am

  Excellent value for the money.

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  Great for the money - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By HAC - December 5 - 2:00 am

  The car is reliable, economical, sound and safe. Have performed routine maintenance and the car still performs almost like new. Was involved in a collission (was rear- ended) and damage to the car was very limited, while the other car was severely damaged. Extremely safe car.

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  Our Santa fe is three months old we trade a 2006 Toyota Highlander - 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By 47model - December 3 - 6:35 am

  We do not like the ride it hits very hard . to me there is simething wrong with the supension. Is this normal , Do anyone feel the same way I would love to hear from you

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  HYUNDAI ACCENT GREAT FOR THE MONEY - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By bill jones - December 3 - 2:00 am

  for the price you cant beat it. A little noisy driving,but can be ACCEPTED.