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 car - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By cathy - November 29 - 10:00 am

  have always driven cadillacs. they cant compare with my 350L

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  My New Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Thomas W. Waite - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Wonderful Car! I own a Lexus LS400 and a Cadillac Sevile STS and this Hyundai drives just as quickly, has the BEST steering control, and VERY similar interior luxuries.

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  Exceptional Value and Performance - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By rwsc - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Test drove everything in the class, Civic, Corolla,Protege - $ for $ the Elantra won hands down!...in every category - performance, style (opinion) and value (keyless remote, 140 hp, air, pwr windows/locks, cruise control - all extra $$ on the others)..acceleration, nimble handling, standard features and the unbelievably smooth ride and silent cabin will amaze you. I first said, "No way will I buy a Hyundai," but now I recommend this vehicle to everyone - totally different than the old rusty Ponies...only problem was the thin paint (some chips) and drivers seat latch that wouldnt click in..all fixed by dealer. Other than that - smooth sailing!

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  May be a repeat buyer - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Artifax - November 29 - 10:00 am

  My 2001-5 speed Santa Fe sticker price was the same as some other used vehicles I looked at. Styling is sharp, interior space is best in catagory, performance and handeling are good for a small SUV

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  Good car for SUV withdrawal - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Gearcrasher - November 29 - 5:43 am

  Lots of interior room for SUV owners like me looking for better gas mileage. Steering is a little strange but getting used to it. Power to weight ratio is not very sporting but can keep up with traffic. Drivers leg room is shorter than specs suggest. Ive never had a car that stopped as well. Styling is very Euro and to my liking but doesnt turn heads. Nice exterior finish and good quality materials on interior,(no mouse fur). Some sloppy workmanship in more hidden areas, i.e. messy chauking in door jams. Wiring looms hand wrapped with cloth electrical tape,(didnt know they still made that). Getting 23mpg in suburban driving. Thats almost double my Hemi Durango!

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  Outstanding Car - 2016 Hyundai Azera
  By bmac50 - November 28 - 11:26 pm

  Weve had the car nine months and we both like this car very much of different reasons. Shes 52" Im 62" and finding a good driving position is not a problem even before getting in as the switch is right on the door as you open it. Once started it is very quiet, so quite at times Im not sure its running without checking the tachometer. Before we leased we went to several dealers checking out the larger Buick, Toyota, BMW and Lexus, Toyota was the closes but ended up being about $3000 more. After driving all and keeping them for three days or so we both decided on the Azera Limited and were very happy we did. Yep some of the other claim to get better gas mileage but have found Hyundai was quite honest on the mileage. Most reviews say 19 in town, we see 21. Not sure what anyone would want on a car that isnt there. For me that extra would be the sun shade for the back window, didnt think Id ever use it but I pick up kids from school so I sit and wait. Our former car had black inside like this one and with that shade its cooler inside. The back door windows have manual shades and the back is power, kinda wish the doors were the same. Everything on this car has been problem free and when the least is up unless major problems arise we will buy. Now for things that are odd. Control for seat is an odd place for someone with short arms, on the upper area of the door but you get use to that. Not crazy about the tires that came on it, tracking it not true so these tires will be changed, likely Pirelli. Two USB ports would be nice in the front, a better range of air flow from the center stack.

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  starting out new - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By joseph a colombo jr. - November 28 - 7:36 pm

  This car is fun to drive you can zip around in parking lots and it fits anywhere. There is lots of room, I am a large guy and I fit in her fine. It rides Nice on the road, very smooth. I think they could of put a little more sound deafening inside the fenders and rear quarters. There is a little road noise. All in all this car is cool. Try it I think you will like it.

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  My little gray mouse - Hyundai Accent - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Barb - November 28 - 3:10 pm

  I love this car. I was looking for something cute and fuel efficient and I found it. It doesnt have the whistles and bells (power windows or door locks), other than power steering, and an automatic that I insisted on having. This car takes me back to the days I owned my Ford Pinto.

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  Santa Fe Limited Extrodinaire! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Randy G. - November 28 - 12:10 am

  What a superb mid-size SUV. The styling is dynamite, inside and out. Very well engineered and it shows in the smallest of details. The build quality is awesome. I have not had one single problem or flaw since I purchased it. The ride is smooth and controlled and actually unbelievably good for a vehicle of this weight and size. There is absolutely no wind noise - even at 70 mph and the doors sound like a bank vault when they close. The attention to detail is indicative of a high-end Asian or German sedan. Im delighted I made the right purchase decision on this SUV. I have owned 22 new vehicles in my life and can truly this one is the best. Try the new Santa Fe Limited!

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  A great car!! - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By dvdphile - November 27 - 10:00 am

  Without considering the "hyundai" name and without considering price this is simply a "great car. If you can get past the name and consider the price there is nothing out there that comes close to what you get! Some of the "Professional" reviews of this car are nonsence. The quality is great-the service i have received is superb-and the car performs just fine for the average driving situation. It appears some reviewers use race car mentality for evaluation. This car is, i say again, is competant and then some in everyday driving. Consider price and warranty for a bonus. Go drive one, then see if it meets your expectations.