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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  Great car for the money - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By laughaloud - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I like the fact that we got a good four door car for less than other cars with a great warranty. We looked at Kias and Hyundai had better standard features. Hyundai matched and beat Kia by $700, how can you turn that down? Power locks and windows and A/C standard, cant beat that!

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  best car in its class - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By jennifert94 - February 8 - 2:00 am

  this is our second Hyundai, my husband has a 2000 Elantra as well. you cant beat the warranty...you cant beat the preice...all in all, Hyundai is the car to buy if you are just looking for a family sedan or a car to commute in.

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  Great car, great price and relaible. - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By fjnlcpc - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Purchased in 2001 as new.Had previously ownes a Elantra wagon and a Santa Fe. Both also excellent and with standard 4. Friends thought Hyundai was cheap etc. you know the old stories. Well i am known to be smart when spending and Hyundai gives dollar for dollar the best deal in quality, reliability and well they won me over big time.

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  A classy car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By rennattaangel - February 8 - 2:00 am

  the Sonata ia a wonderful car. Roomy but elegant. Easy handeling but classy. A Lady feels like a Lady driving this car!

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  2003 elantra gts - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By mary2500 - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in Feb.03 and am very happy with it. I have had no problems whatsoever with it...it is comfortable ,reliable and you get a lot for your money including leather seats in the GTS model. It is very comfortable and its size is perfect for compact parking (always a plus). For someone looking for a car in this price range you cant ask for more than what you get with the Elantra GTS.

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  I love my Santa Fe! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Cyndy - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe LX model that is awesome. One of our favorite features are the heated leather seats. We just love everything about our new SUV. Its quiet inside, nice ride, plenty of room. Took it on vacation and put a car carrier on top, it was wonderful. Like all its features, cant think of anything Hyundai missed.

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  WOW! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Liv - February 7 - 10:30 pm

  We are on Hyundai #7 now. What a difference since the first excel. Love my new sonata ltd with nav. I was really Leary of the 4 cylinder. Then I drove it. Went back and drove it again. I am absolutely amazed at the power, beauty, ease of use of all of my amenities. I recommend everyone drive one!

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  Performance and Looks in One Package - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Rod Grodt - February 7 - 10:39 am

  Completely re-designed for 2016. The Tucson looks great. The 1.6 turbo has terrific performance, especially when accelerating in second and third gears. There is enough to pass in a hurry in Interstate driving. Our gas mileage has greatly exceeded the manufacturers figures. We get 31-34 combined and normally between 34-38 on the highway between 70-75 miles per-hour. We topped 40 on one occasion. The car is quiet, handles well and the seats are extremely comfortable for trips. They are firm and the lumbar support works well. Cargo space is almost as much as was on the 2012 Santa Fe we traded in. This is our fifth Hyundai and we have never had any problems with any of them. We are also very fortunate that our dealer has been fantastic. They treat us like family.

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  The Best of Everything - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Marla - February 6 - 10:00 am

  You have to drive it. So many people stare at this SUV. It rides beautiful. Turns great. There is so much room. Sterio is good and It is getting about 22 miles per gallion. No problems just a smoth ride with heated seats and a great view of the road. I have LX front wheel drive model. Love it. Kept my BMW and got this SUV. Tested every other SUV. Did like the Lexus. But love this SUV.

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  Proud Owner - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Proud Owner - February 6 - 10:00 am

  I love this car!! The styling is the thing that first drew my attention. The styling is now what draws EVERYBODYS attention. Some people just plain stop in their tracks and stare at it. I have a black one. The power in the 4 cylinder is more than adequate. I have a 5 speed, so it is probably a little better for power than an automatic. . 31 mpg on the highway is awesome for this sporty of a vehicle. The 5 year bumper to bumper is also great.! I wish the Dealer would have dealt on it more. I had to pay sticker, but some are selling it for thousands more!!! This is my second Hyundai. I love this car company!!