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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  So far, so great! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Titandan - October 16 - 3:53 pm

  I love this car. Im averaging 33.4 miles/gallon currently and am learning to bring up the mileage by driving carefully (braking less) and trying to cruise when I can. This is in city/hwy driving. When gas is an issue, this car solves the problem. At first, the mileage was about 25-26 mpg and it has drastically improved recently. It is very comfortable and the leather was standard. The CD/audio/radio AM&FM are heck of a lot better than the Honda Civics and the sound is a lot more crisp and clear. This car is peppy and the struts are very tight. I guess thats what comes with a "sporty" suspension. A little more spring wouldnt hurt, but I like the car as a whole.

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  What a Car! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By lancer - October 15 - 3:50 pm

  I took delivery of a red Sonata SE 2011 3 months ago and Im very impressed with it. Looks terrific, does everything well and beyond, great gas mileage, very comfortable. It doesnt get any better even at much higher price.

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  Couldnt be happier - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Great Van by Pat - October 14 - 11:10 pm

  Couldnt be happier with our decision to purchase an Entorage Limited edition. Traded a Ford Windstar SEL in that we had for about 60,000 miles. There is no comparrison the Entorage beats it in every way. Gas mileage is about 25% better. The comfort in this vehicle is unbelievable. Great power! Workmanship is fantastic.

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  Loving it! - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Ms Tanya - October 14 - 8:30 pm

  This is a great car for the money. I had never owned a Hyundai prior to this purchase, so I did not know what to expect. This car has not let me down, no regrets. I love my car.

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  Im Extremely Satisfied!!! - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Marlene - October 14 - 8:20 pm

  This is my first SUV. I traded in a Toyota Corolla which gave me excellent gas mileage but was a very uncomfortable ride, particularly for my lower back. I was a little nervous about buy a Hyundai based on previous low ratings. So, I test drove the Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4, Ford Escape and the Nissan Xterra. I was not impressed with any of these models. However, The Hyundai Tuscon passed all tests with flying colors (comfort, style, color, reliability, etc., etc. I just love it!!

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  Very Reliable - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By Steve Oros - October 14 - 7:12 pm

  I am a sales rep on the road doing 65K a year. I bought this car in the fall of 03, and started this job in the fall of 04. I have 280K on this car of which 260Ks are from my when I started my new job. This car has been Amazing! I have not had one breakdown or false start. I do all the factory maintenance at the dealership where I bought it, all great people, great service. I still have the original brake pads on the rear wheels!! I bought the car W/O AC but when I got my job I had it installed, along with deep tint, and cruise control (need for the long drives!) I am going to put 400K on this car and then get another one!!! Well worth the money.

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  Accent Is Solid but MPGs stink! - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By steve30122 - October 14 - 2:46 pm

  I bought my Accent after beginning to have trouble with my previous car, a VW Jetta Turbo. Notice my ratings above, they are completely honest. I have been very disappointed with the gas mileage for a car this size and with this little performance. My fuel economy averages in the mid-20s overall. I did exceed 30 mpg on a couple of long road trips, but only reached 33 mpg. Performance is pitiful if not down right dangerous. Its difficult to enter a crowded Intrste Hwy w/o getting pummeled. Now heres the good stuff. Havent had a single hiccup with this car. The reliability has been perfect for 2 yrs/53K even in tough, city driving. The design and build have far exceeded my expectations.

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  More than happy Santa Fe GLS Owner!!! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Blip22 - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Reviewed and researched for two months all SUVs in this bracket but nothing came close. Escape/Tribute did not have good reliability reviews, Highlanders too expensive, CR-V is small. Couldnt find anything wrong with the Santa Fe except for the engine needing more horses. Took 4wd GLS for a test drive. Was very good but I went for 2wd for more power for the engine, but got it along with the abs/traction control. I think I made a very good and wise choice. Right now, I just have one complaint - Im not getting the mileage ratings - although the dealer said that well reach the mileage ratings after break-in/3k miles.

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  Nifty "mini" SUV, - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By dewdotsag - October 14 - 10:00 am

  This vehical is a joy to drive. It has the get up and go that we expected and the room to haul all that a family of four need for a week long road trip. It is all neatly packaged in a stylish and unique body. Dont let yourself buy any Suv without at least test driving this. It is worth your time and money!

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  FANTASTIC! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Alex R - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Just returned from a 3000km round trip from Calgary to Vancouver Island. A lot of mountain driving - steep hills, lots of twists. The car handled like a sports car and was able to negotiate all but the slowest and steepest roads in 5th. Gas mileage 6.7litres/100km or 35mpg US. Drove at 60 - 75 mph where road conditions allowed. Researched this vehicle 1 year before buying. Its exceeded my wildest dreams.