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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  all the toys - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By irv - February 27 - 2:00 am

  my xg350l is a 2003 not a 2004. i purchased it in december of 2002 and have 12000 enjoyable miles on it . the fuel economy is great average 24 mpg. i think of my 350 as the poor mans lincoln. hope that hyundai considers using the 350 platform for the hybrid rather than the elantra. irv.

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  I love it - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By lucki - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Best buy for the money

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  Great in the sun not in the snow - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By junelle fisher - February 26 - 7:38 pm

  Car is very Nice love the comfort and design and very sporty not very good in snow and paint starting to chip near wheel Wells tires not good in rain or slush or very little snow steering wheel wood grain finish coming off like is chipping

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  Hyundai Review 1 - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By bluepig7 - February 25 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a Hyundai XG350L for my daughter. Excluding "luxury" cars, I compared some domestic cars, all of the Japanese cars and a German car to the Hyundai XG350L. All were significantly more expensive, and warranted for much less time. None were better in workmanship, quietness, standard features, acceleration and braking. As for styling, thats too subjective. You have to make up your own mind. Im well aware of what Hyundai has given us in the past, but do yourself a favor and just look at this car! Drive it if you think it merits a drive after you see it. Im telling you, youll be amazed. BTW: Im on my 7th BMW, I believe I know cars!

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  Car is so cool - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By DJDEIKER - February 25 - 10:00 am

  So far I love this car I am hoping they come out with a lot of body and performance parts for it, just to make it even more fun

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  Used to HATE Hyundai - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By ProfRyan - February 25 - 10:00 am

  I took the car for a test drive and i was very sceptical. First i love the exterior styling, one of the hottest looking cars out there. Second i was impressed with the interior material quality. Not overly busy with chinsey crap. Material feels sturdy and stable. I drive alot and hate being in traffic with a manual transmission so i opted for the Sportronic automatic transmission. This option is so much fun. It gives me the ability to shift manually when i choose to do so. I think the single factor that caused me to purchase this car is the price.

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  Great SUV FWD - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By normanebanks - February 24 - 11:25 pm

  I bought the LTD in early April 2007 and have 43600 miles on. I had the fuel pump and twice the brake light switch replaced in the two years. The car has been solid ever since. I bought the aftermarket "SES" 2 pc. grill which closed up the gaping hole in the front. Looks good. the dealer has been great with all issues. I love the looks, the ride, the luxury and the value. I chose it over the CX9 due to price and the Rendesvous which was dated.

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  Extra Cash - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By jrl - February 24 - 11:10 am

  Car is a great vehicle for highway driving. Very comfortable rides smooth. Suggest 6 cyl motor. No real maintenance problems. ALERT: Save some EXTRA CASH for the 60,000 mile maintenance schedule. At 60,000 miles The Timing Belt must be changed $450 - $500 change spark plugs $350 schedule fluid changes (tran cool oil) $300.

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  Just Perfect - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Nancy Bock - February 24 - 12:41 am

  Great crash test score, best gas mileage for this size, comfortable seats, spacious, easy to handle, fine design, fits perfect in small two car garage. Priced just right for my budget. 10 yrs. warrantee Very pleased overall.

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  I loveit! - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By I love it - February 23 - 10:40 pm

  I bought my Elantra Touring 2months ago and I really love it! Particularly I like its European exterior design. Good Gas saver also! Before I bought it I had drove 2001 Saab 9-5 which drove 20m/g(Avg). Now, I drive 28m/g (avg) with my Hyundai and I save 20$ per week. Moreover, handling is fantastic!