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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  Simply awesome - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By AllyCoug - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Love this truck! It is stylish, reliable and peppy. I have had no problems with it during the 1 1/2 years Ive owned it. Some recalls on parts but the dealership called me to inform me and repaired the truck in hours. Had a fender bender and wasnt taken for a bunch of money to replace damaged parts.

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  Excellent car in price class - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ray - September 6 - 10:20 pm

  Make no mistake, this is not a 32,000 dollar car, though Quality for cost is superb. Between 16,000 and 18,000 you will not find a better quality means of transportation. The Elantra is fun to drive with a great popular package features. The warranty on the car matches and or beats other motor companies. Surprisingly roomy interior, I am 62 and sit comfortable inside the vehicle. Fuel mileage is at 35 mpg with 65% highway driving. Exterior to interior noise control is that of a 26,000 to 32,000 dollar sedan. Purchasing this vehicle was not on the spur of the moment, Four months of going to one dealer to the next. Finally the right car for our family at the right price.

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  3rd Update since purchase. - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By 3rd Update. - September 6 - 3:53 pm

  Just completed a 750 mile trip to Midlothian, VA from Columbus, NC. Car performed like a charm. Extremely comfortable. According to on-board trip computer, I averaged 29.7 mpg at highway speeds up to 70mph. Better then I ever imagined. Lay off the "heavy foot" and you will love the car.

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  Very nice little ride. - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By spanky628 - September 6 - 9:33 am

  I had researched till I was blue in the face trying to find a car with great gas mileage, style, killer warranty, and fun to drive. I have found it with the 2008 Hyundai Accent GS in the new color for this year Mellow Yellow. This car is so fun to drive. It takes alittle getting used to the engine rev, but it will run fair for a 1.6L 110 horsepower pony of a gas slipper. Cant wait get some accessories. This is gonna make a nice little tuner car project.

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  Your answer to Honda and Toyota - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By MODRIVER - September 6 - 8:35 am

  I did extensive comparison between Honda(Civic & Accord) and Toyota (Corolla). Did not include Camry because of bad cust reviews. It is a shame that Edmonds, Kelly, Consumer Reports give a so so look to Hyundai and go GA GA over Honda and Toyota. For cabin room, comfort, gas mileage, fun-to-drive, etc. you cant beat the Elantra. Plus the best price and warranty. I have had mine for 3 months and love it as does my wife. The Civic & Corolla were too small. The Accord seats are stiff while cabin room is almost the same, The Elantra has more front leg room which I like and is much more comfortable. Give this one a good look because it definitely beats the competition!

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  A significant improvement - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Paul - September 6 - 3:56 am

  The best you can get for the price.

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  A very good car - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Alex - September 5 - 1:43 pm

  I spent a couple of weeks testing other cars like Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, etc, and after driving the Elantra for sure it was the best decision. Ive had it for over a month and I love it, the gas mileage is good (about 25 mpg city driving), you get ABS Breaks, power windows & locks, 6 air bargs, etc as the standard package. I think its a very good choice for the money you pay.

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  2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A) - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By gwh2 - September 5 - 9:55 am

  Great Car! I have get 40 Miles per gallon/6.9 liters per 100 liters on the highway and 35 Highway - City mixed. Just past my second anniversary and the 50,000 Km mark. I have done only regular maintenance. I appreciate the great dealer service too. I cannot say enough positive about the car as it is still just like new. I drove a Volvo before this and the Sonata is a superior car never mind the value for dollar you get!

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  Best Value on the Road - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Ripley - September 4 - 1:53 am

  The Tiburon looks much better than its closest competitors -- Celica, Acura RSX, etc. -- and as good or better than more expensive cars. The powerful ride is smooth, which some of the auto mags downgraded because they wanted to hear the engine whine and power surge of the more powerful engine; I dont. For the money, you get power, leather seats, moon roof, CD, and great warranty. I am very pleased with my choice.

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  "Shark Bitten" 2005 Tiburon Review - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Jukebox_Hero - September 4 - 1:36 am

  With the Tiburon it was love at first sight. With its sleek styling and sporty feel, the Tiburon was an easy choice. By now everyone was driving the popular Pontiac Vibe that I owned and I wanted something that would stand out in the crowd of the mundane. I was a little worried when I found out the horsepower of the 2.0 liter base model, but when I got behind the wheel it was amazingly responsive. Ive been driving it for over a week now and have been nothing but excited to get in everyday. This is a thrill ride. Quick acceleration and very responsive steering, strong 4-wheel anti-lock brakes...the list goes on. The gear ratios are nicely layed out to make up for the horsepower. It zooms.