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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  Hyundai Got It Right - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Les - November 7 - 5:03 pm

  The car was presented at the dealership in flawless shape (except for a burnt out map light bulb). I have purchased new Toyotas and Hondas over the years and the fit and finish on my Santa Fe is just as good and the price cant compare. Thousands cheaper than the comparable Japanese models and a bit more stylish by my taste. The 3.5 liter engine has more than enough power and the ride is firm and comfortable. This car is the best in its size class.

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  sweet - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By dr43ew - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Its an awesome car. I love the exterior design, hyundai did a great job. Build quality is extremely high, no more crappy hyundais. Only complaint, a little bland inside.

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  Snug as a bug in a rug - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Jon - November 7 - 8:46 am

  I was looking for a full size and safe car (grandson). Everything I read or researched said this was the car for me. I love it. Smooth comfortable ride,quiet as an atheist in church,plenty of oomph,safety cant be beat. On highways or good back roads it is a dream. Sometimes on rough roads or going over expansion joints on cement roads there is an intrusion of noise into the normally dead silent interior which usually simply engulfs you with serenity. No hint of looseness and a smooth push of power when you need or want it. I assume the safety features work as well as the rest of the car. I have zero regrets in my choice and I am sure I will like this car just as much years from now.

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  The gladiator. Perfect vehicle. suv tucson 2006 3. - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By matthew long - November 6 - 10:33 am

  Dont hestiate. I always say treat it right and you will have a vehicle that will last a long time.

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  A step up from my Land Rover! - 2012 Hyundai Veracruz
  By capecodrondo - November 6 - 9:14 am

  The Veracruz was a pleasant surprise. I traded my Land Rover Freelander for this vehicle two years ago and could not be happier. It is reliable, gets good mileage for its size, rides like a Lexus and performs better in the snow than my Land Rover did. I understand the long-body Santa Fe is a successor to the Veracruz. I would recommend this vehicle for to anyone.

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  The Snappy Silve Streak Named Elantra - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By John Kelleher - November 5 - 10:14 pm

  Great "bang for the buck" in its class (included features for the price) --- high reliability in mechanics, electrical, electronics, computerization, etc. --- excellent fuel economy around town and on the road --- Hyundais Warranty --- Company stands behind the vehicle and its dealers --- only disadvantage is for long legs cramped in the rear seat

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  Surprising Korean - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By GNTuck - November 4 - 10:27 pm

  I recently bought my Accent used with 7,000 miles on it. Ive owned 5 Hondas but this is a great car so far, for an econobox. Hugs the road. Nicely bolstered seats, plenty of room in back, decent stereo. Love the 16" wheels. Even my "car guy" friends comment on how good the car looks. 32mpg on my 2nd full tank (60% highway/40% street miles). My first full tank was 30mpg. Halfway through the 2nd tank I checked tire pressure and noticed they were slightly low. Mid 20s and the door sticker recommends 32psi. This next full tank may be even better mileage with proper tire pressure. I drive relatively conservatively aiming for good mileage. I agree about the door panels, scratch city!

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  I Love My Hyundai - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Butterfly04 - November 4 - 5:50 pm

  I had never heard of Hyundai, but thought I would take a chance and test drive one. I knew that this was the SUV for me when I pulled into my drive way. It is as if the interior of the car is hugging you. You feel warmand cozy. I love everything about my Hyundai and I am looking forward to buying another one in the future.

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  So glad I chose this car! - 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By mustrockon - November 4 - 4:06 pm

  This car is amazing. I purchased after doing months of research. The others I considered were the Nissan 370Z, Mustang GT, and BMW 128i coupe. This car has impressive handling, a spacious front for driver and passenger, instant power, and awesome styling. I recently drove on a 4 hour drive and got 30mpg. I almost chose the 370Z, but I wanted something that had more trunk space and the possibility of carrying more than 1 passenger. The back seat is tiny and some passengers will find they have claustrophobia, but I like it for the extra space for stuff and like knowing that I can fit up to 3 passengers legally. The trunk is huge. 2000 miles so far and I love it.

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  Great Value, Great Car, Low Price! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By MichaelCee - November 4 - 10:00 am

  The market perception that Hyundai still makes lousy cars works to the buyers advantage. If you put a Honda or Toyota badge on the Hyundai Elantra GT it would sell for $20K and be worth every penny. How Hyundai can sell this car for under $15K is beyond me but I am not complaining. The Elantra is quick, comfy, handles well and gets pretty decent gas mileage. The ride is smooth and quiet. It has lots of features and a great radio too! One sweet little car!