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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  My "Korean Kamry" - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By MY "KOREAN KAMRY" - February 23 - 10:39 pm

  I purchased this car because I was looking for an affordable ride which would offer economy, reliability and still offer that "high class" I used to get while driving my Lexus. I found all that plus more in my base 2008 Sonata GLS. It comes standard with all of the safety features that come as options in a Camry XLE

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  fun and unique - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By alexthesock - February 23 - 6:33 pm

  I purchased my tiburon used only a few months ago but I have wanted one since I first laid eyes on one 5 years ago. I was pleasantly surprised with most aspects of the car. Most notably the 6 speed manual is a lot of fun because of the gear ratios. Clutch is both intuitive and fun (very important to me). The front end lines of the car give you a great idea of where your car is but the back end is a little hard to judge. Labeled as 4 seats but really only two really comfortable seats. Im 6,2" and enjoy the driver seat very much. Mine was purchased with custom sound and exhaust so no comment. Fuel economy could be slightly better. **no car is as unique and low-key at the same time as this car**

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  Beware of Warranty! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Paul - February 23 - 12:49 pm

  Owned 07 Sonata for 2 years - 24500 miles on it. My recent experiences suggest that there are issues with the Hyundai Quality and Warranty claims. I had to change my both rear brake pads, and also change one rotor, resurfaced other after just 24000 miles! Surprisingly front brakes that should take 70% of braking torque were perfectly fine. Dealership said that the pads and rotors are not covered under warranty and charged $350. I have never heard rotor or even pads needing replacement in 2 years - shows poor quality of parts. Hyundai Consumer affairs would not cover even when Dealer agreed that this was not normal wear and tear. Had to change Alternator just 2 months back! Dont count warranty!

• 

  Excellent - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Timothy - February 23 - 12:20 pm

  This is our 2nd Santa Fe we love the new design

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  40,000 miles - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jay Dee Ef - February 22 - 10:00 am

  30 months into ownership. Hated dealer, love the rig. No real problems except a few rattles are starting to show up after 40k. 20 mpg in town/30 mpg on long trips for AWD V-6, AT, Auto. I will likely buy another...but not until I use ALL of the existing warranty !! Looks like factory will have incentive "loyalty" rebate program to encourage earlier trade in.

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  Not pleased - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Houston TX - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Very disappointed with mileage. Best mileage Ive gotten is 17.5 and thats highway. No head room for anyone over 6ft, little leg room. Seats are very uncomfortable for long trips. After reading other reviews, Im wondering what car theyre talking about. Were on our 3rd battery in 2 years!

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  GREAT CAR FOR PRICE, BUT COULD BE IMPROV - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By cruiser1 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH THE ZERO PERCENT FINANCING AND THE GREAT WARRANTY. NO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITHIN THE FIRST TWO AND A HALF YEARS. THE SUSPENSION COULD USE A REVAMPING TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH THE COMPETITORS ALSO NEEDS MORE REAR SEAT LIGHTING.

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  Starship Cruiser - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Soupyjoe - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I was returning home from Atlantic City. I wanted to see what this car could do as far as speed. The XG350L is a Starship. Awesome! Standing outside this car you see a thing of beauty. When you sit inside you feel like you have entered the 5th Dimension. Strap yourself in the drivers seat and you want to drive forever. Buy this car. Laugh at Lexus owners:-)

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  good but not perfect - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By mely - February 22 - 10:00 am

  i have had my baby since my birthday last August. it drives well i live in denver and i went to the mountains it handled good up but when going down it was a little scary. i hate the paint quality it easly damages. but it is very realable i drive about 100 miles a day to and from work and with out i don;t know where i would be

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  LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jparkhurst71 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I know that Hyundai has been carrying a stigma of a "Cheap Ride" for some time now. However, they maybe more competitive in the price range but lead the pack in qaulity, performance, style availabilty of options as standard equipment and nothing beats the warranty.