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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  Exterior and Performance Rocks!! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Jotiki - April 22 - 10:00 am

  This car rocks from head to toe, I mean how often do you get the feel and appeal of a ferrari 456gt. It is a noticibly more bumpy then a ride compared to a mustang. The Interior on this hyundai is very disgusting, ugly, hideous. I hate the interior it looks cheap and has to be maintained to perfection for it to look even remote. Hyundai Come up with modifications for this interoir fast!!!

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  Bought Used 2013 - 2013 Hyundai Equus
  By Paul I. - April 20 - 8:31 am

  Car was 3 years old with 25,000 miles. I went from a Lincoln Town Car and, at first, was a little disappointed in the Equus. The Lincoln had less tire noise and quieter at high speeds. Seating comfort and roominess are about equal.But after almost a year of driving the Equus, I find the ease of handling superior to the Town Car and when I punch the gas to the V8 to get on a crowded Calif. fwy., the Equus has it all over the Town Car. After 10,000 miles of driving, performance and ease of handling has convinced me to buy another Hyundai luxury car.

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  Best Vehicle for the Money - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ddixon7 - April 20 - 8:23 am

  We have had our Santa Fe since August, 2001. There is about 16,000 miles on it. Absolutly no problems. Still drives like new. Performance and comfort is still there. We absolutly love it. We drove the Izusu Rodoe & Toyota Rav4, the Hyundai Sante Fe, won hands down. And the Hyundai looks almost like the Lexus utility vehicle.

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  Pleasing - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Pimpsterrific - April 19 - 10:00 am

  The Sante Fe drives just like a car. I can manuever it like I did with my previous compact car. I was surprised at the fact that i didnt have to "adjust" to driving a larger vehicle.

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  Has anyone gone in snad? Help! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By karenh - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Overall, I think my new car is great. I have 2500 miles and all is well. been through a few snowstorms and the car handled great. One problem: One reason that I purchased a 4wd vehicle was because I live on Cape Cod, MA in the summer. The dealership told me that I should have no trouble going on Cape beaches with the 4wd system. I took it out today and I did not feel comfortable at all. I felt that I was going to get stuck the entire time. I didnt get stuck, however, is this how 4wd is supposed to feel? The engine also smellled funny when I got back on hard pavement, like it had been working too hard.

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  Hyundai Santa Fe 2005 SE - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By eighthof8 - April 13 - 6:40 pm

  I traded in a 2001 Nissan Exterra for my 2005 Santa Fe mainly for my Wifes daily driver. We both really like it rides/handles like a car. Ive heard complaints of gas mileage here, but our 3.5 is averaging 21 mpg city/highway. On the highway it likes to run 80, so we let it. Highway mpg is a solid 24. For complaints: I wish the center console used better plastic. While driving, and using it as an arm rest, it creaks with any movement, plus the padded top needs more padding. I really dont like the way it accelerates from a standing stop. You crush the accelerator to get it moving, then it wants to blast off. I wish this was smoother. All around, I would purchase another

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  Transmission problem - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By coho - April 12 - 9:46 am

  In the first 2k we experienced a thump almost all the time the vehicle was started in park. Dealer said it was a sticky valve and they replaced the transmission. The problem has started again. Dealer has not/cannot fix it. It never happens when a mechanic is in the vehicle. Hyundia Canada do not really admit to that there is a problem. Offered to leave the vehicle with dealer until they experience the thump. But no they could not do that. Other than this problem the vehicle seems fine. Am keeping a log of the thumps even though with a new vehicle you should not have to. Ammunition for when the warranty runs out.

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  MOSTLY SATISFIED WITH A FEW MINOR ISSUES - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By JS - April 9 - 11:30 pm

  I drove the RSX-S, WRX, and Scion TC before purchasing my Tib. Those 4- bangers just can compare to the power and torque of the V6 this car has. Stylish exterior with a high-quality interior...great sound system. So far so good but Ive had to have it aligned and the clutch is shuddering at only 6K miles which makes me a little concerned about the long-term reliability of this vehicle. My only truly major complaint is the choppy, cheap suspension which is just garbage compared to other vehicles in this class. Does not take bumps well at all but handles okay otherwise. Vague clutch. A very smooth and comfortable highway car though. Loaded with options...a real value for the money.

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  good decision - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Jesse - April 9 - 4:03 pm

  Great car, reliable and fun to drive.

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  60,000 miles and now my engine just shuts off - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By jmartin99 - April 7 - 3:42 pm

  I love my Tucson, and I have not had any issues until I brought it in back in August for its 60,000 mile warranty check up, and Now randomly my engine just shuts off while driving, this is scary. I have read up on many forrums that this is a problem that occurs in the 2005 Tucson. Shouldnt there be a recall???? This is dangerous!