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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  5 Year Report - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By chasman1 - August 1 - 6:40 pm

  Our Santa Fe now has about 85,000 miles on it and so far so good. We have had no major (and very few minor) problems with the vehicle. Still no squeaks or rattles, runs great, no fluid leaks, solid feeling and quiet on the road. We hope to keep the vehicle well into the 100K mile range. Well see. Seems like Hyundai has done well on this model. I highly recommend it. My only regret is not getting the package that includes the 3rd row rear seat. Will do so next time.

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  new car - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By wm s myers - July 31 - 10:56 pm

  We like our Veracruz but are disappointed in our 20.8 mpg on the highway. The interior is roomy.

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  ECONOMICAL AND RELIABLE - 2000 Hyundai Accent
  By owner of an accent - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought it for the 5 years warranty and never regret it. It runs very well, I did not have any problem at all in 3 years. It is not very powerful, but it is a good choice for somebody looking for a reliable and economical transportation. I went all around California, Nevada, Arizona and Mexico with my car!

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  Great van marred by bad transmission - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By CXL1 - July 28 - 10:20 pm

  We purchased the Limited w/ent pkg on 9/30/06. We took delivery with 257 miles and immediately noticed a transmission issue with engine braking when removing foot from the gas. We test drove 3 others on the dealers lot and none of them did this. Ours engine brakes until it hits idle speed and then the transmission finally releases from the engine allowing it to coast. We immediately reported this to the dealer. It has been in for this 3 times. They have re-programmed the transmission and still no fix. Now going on 7 weeks and 2200 miles and still not fixed. Hyundai DM due in Monday to evaluate. Wish we would have waited for the 2007 Toyota Sienna! Ill add followup after Monday

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  i love i - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By i love it - July 26 - 2:13 am

  i bought my "Tib" in march 07" and i love it. even though there is not much to do under the hood. there is a lo you can do with the look. And at a great price too.

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  Quoted Horse Power - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By Gill - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Although I love most things about my XG300L, I feel Hyundia deceived owners by misquoting its horsepower rating. I was also told there would be no change in the car (including engine size) for the next year.The increase of engine size and the model change to the XG350 surely devalues the XG300. I hope someone will initiate a class action suit against Hyundia.

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  A Good Choice! - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Joe - July 20 - 5:06 pm

  Bought my Santa Fe used to replace an Oldsmobile Intrigue with a 3.8 liter engine. It had been a rental with 6,000 miles. The ride is comfortable, has plenty of power to move in and out of traffic, it handles well, and it gives better mileage than my Intrigue. Around town I get 19.1 to 20.2, with 24- 26 on the highway (I get about 1.5 to 2.0 less MPG on ethanol blends). No mechanical problems. Purchase the rear plastic mat to cover you carpeting if you are going to haul anything dirty.

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  You get a lot of bang for your buck! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By phantasman - July 19 - 10:00 am

  In October of last year, my (then) fiance needed to get ride of her Ford Explorer (the differential was due to go). She wanted a new car but didnt want a car that sold for more than $12,000. The reviews the Edmunds staff as well as the readers swayed us to try it out. That car is a BLAST to drive! It had tight handling, a lot of safety features (standard) and an overall nice feel. We just bought a 2003 Honda Accord LX and because I work 50 miles from where we live...I want to put the miles on the Elantra, rather than the Accord. However, I can say with complete honesty that I dont dread it. The Elantra is a joy to drive.

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  UC Purchase - 1998 Hyundai Sonata
  By aliasname - July 14 - 2:00 am

  The exterior ressembles many larger, nicer vehicles, that cost more money. That means affordible style to me.

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  Good but also disappointed - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By rich31791 - July 13 - 12:56 pm

  Like the car very much, except for the 6" crack in the front windshield. Had the car for 3 months and dealership said toooo badddd, same as Hyundai. Drove a Ford for 10 years, no cracks. Drove a Plymouth for 10 years, no cracks. So which parts Im going to have replace in the next 6 months. Just love their great so called warranty.