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 Van - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Jim Proulx - December 3 - 9:43 pm

  This has been a great car. The dealer service has also been great. This is one of the finest cars I have ever owned.

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  Actually its not a cheap car! - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By hyperblue - December 3 - 3:21 pm

  Being a Korean, I had many cars from Hyundai before comming to US 10 yrs ago. This one is the best of all (including Avalon I owned in the US). Silky ride and super quietness and the reliability also seems to reach the level of other big name brands. Let me tell you one thing. Some folks even compared this one with Lexus GS, but thats actually not a super surprising comparison. When I visited Korea last summer, I found that the MSRP of Azera GLS (Limited edition is not even available) is around USD 4k in Korea. That said, this car actually is not a cheap car at all, just provided in low price to get into the US market.

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  Great Buy!! - 2013 Hyundai Azera
  By heicel Rodriguez - December 2 - 4:23 am

  Best choice and Hidden Hyundai jewel. My car has nothing TO ENVY to the expensive make and models out there. It its fully equipped and handles great.

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  SHARK ATTACK!!!!! - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By XXXMrRubenXXX - December 2 - 3:43 am

  Well I had a 350Z like 2.5 years love it but stupid guy destroyed then I got and EVO and this one really love but had to sell it so the wife can have a new car. NOW IM I LOVE!!!! again with this 2007 TIBURON. love the 6 spd thats more than my evo and the best part is that I can take people with me something not possible in the 350Z. The color is the best BLUE, and power is no problem ill put a turbo system in a few month but is great for the price $10000.

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  Spend a little drive a lot - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ronald Hansen - December 2 - 2:00 am

  For the money that I spent its hard to beleave that forks out there are willing to part with an additional $10,000 dollar for all I got. My friend tells me how much he loves my Sante Fe but his wife wont let him buy one because they dont cost enough. Well, I love mine and have had no problems and am happy with my dealer.

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  Hyundai Convert - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Linenguy - December 2 - 2:00 am

  After owning Acura, Honda and Mitsubishi I looked at the Sante Fe and was won over by the quality, drive, price and 0% financing. This vehicle is one of the best buys out there for a mid size SUV. I own a full size Montero but the Hyundai is better built. I actually bought 1 and helped buy one for a friend of my wife who was turning in an Escalade. (Had a real happy salesman) If looking for a great buy get over your ego and pre- determined thoughts about Hyundai and give this vehicle a try.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Grybas - December 2 - 2:00 am

  After sitting in the more popular small - medium SUVs, this one really stood out as the most roomy and comfortable. It handles well, looks good and the price is great.

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  1st but not last Hyundai! - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Justin in Eagleville - December 2 - 1:37 am

  I knew this was the right car for me after the first test drive! In fact I talked numbers with the dealer as I sat behind the wheel - I didnt want to get out! I was also looking at the Nissan Sentra and the Mazda 3, but they just werent all the car the Elantra is. I used to have a 2005 Scion xA, and I think Im getting the same fuel economy with a bigger vehicle. I like the fact I was able to get so much more car for my money than co-workers and friends got for their cars! I HIGHLY recommend to anyone. I love the XM radio and havent even used the standard radio or CD yet.

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  Amazing car, its hyundais time to shine - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By azera25 - December 1 - 2:30 pm

  I love my car. I actually go outside just to look at it. It looks the best at night, but also at all other times. So far everything has worked perfectly. No problems what so ever. I had a 2002 Camry before this car and now I am converted to Hyundai!!

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  Gets Better Every Year - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Gil M. - December 1 - 11:26 am

  This is my third purchase. The Tucson has more power than the Santa Fe, better handling and exterior styling. The options cant be beat. One drawback though is low fuel economy.