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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  Compare to other 1.6 - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By slowlearner1 - September 7 - 5:27 pm

  When considering the acceleration on the Veloster, you need to have some experience with other 1.6 engines. It is as good or better than the others. Having said that, with the gearing of the the 6 spd, expect to have to down shift if you want to accerate. Ive had the car 5k miles and have no problem going up hills...but if you have to accerate going up a hill you will have to shift. I get about 38 combined mpg and scored 49 on a recent trip to the lake. Outside of a sooty exhaust and noisy suspension, its a very good car.

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  I love my Santa Fe - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ege - September 7 - 10:00 am

  I would normally say that the Santa Fe is a great SUV for the money, but thats not true. Its a great SUV. Period. That its inexpensive is a bonus! While some may complain of its "unimpressive powertrain," what theyre complaining about is the fact that this is not a race-SUV, or an off- roader. If you want off-roading, go elsewhere; this is a family vehicle that can handle trails of the NORMAL variety. It can handle soccer games, radio controlled planes, and trips from Grandmas at Christmas. I enthusiastically recommend this vehicle!

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  Middle Age Craziness - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Tobaccords - September 7 - 10:00 am

  Thank you Hyundai! My wife had that "Oh No, hes looking at Porches and BMWs" look in her eyes. I had decided after some 25 years of driving family sedans that the next car I bought would be something sporty. I had never heard of a Tiburon before I entered the marketplace. Wow, what bang for your buck! Now, not only the teenagers in my neighborhood but their parents too are taking a second look when I drive by! Sorry BMW! But I got a lot more car for 1/2 the price!

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  Love my XG - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By Bruno - September 7 - 5:16 am

  I had never even seen one of these until I saw the ad for mine online. My car had broken and instead of repairing it, I purchased this one at $5,800 which given the condition of the vehicle I thought was more than fair. I love the way it looks on the outside. The front grill looks like it was designed by Lincoln, and the rear reminds me a little of the acura 2.1 CL or even a jag! The interior makes you feel like youre riding in luxury as well. I had the same problem with the trans. sensor but was a quick fix. Other than that I am satisfyed with the XG. For my money it doesnt get much better. Now that I have it I find myslef noticing how great other hyundais are! Those guys make nice cars!

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  2008 accent big gas saver - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By iner9 - September 7 - 2:28 am

  I bought this car for commuting in the NYC area I own a 07 silverado its a Nice truck but too much fuel this 08 accent took care of that its a pleasure to drive love the radio XM the air its always ice cold 6 airbags love the warranty had to pay extra for my gm one its a Nice car for the price got mine for 13,500 had pinstripe on it front rear mats cargo net and rear cargo mat thanks Hyundai keep up the good work got 600 miles on it no problems.

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  fuel economy - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By tucsonneil - September 6 - 11:26 pm

  on recent trip to winfield kansas 1500mi with cruise control set at 65mph with very good driving conditions average gal.per. mi. was only 19.4 mpg. can you tell me why? fuel economy info says 19 city 24 highwayimp

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  great value - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By curtis radel - September 6 - 12:35 pm

  love it

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  Big Value for Price - 2013 Hyundai Azera
  By kk - September 6 - 8:12 am

  I am 27 years old and I have only owned luxury cars: Mercedes and BMW. When I was ready to move on from my BMW I walked into the dealership knowing I was going to leave with an Acura TLX. I drove the TLX and a Kia Optima but they did not have everything I was looking for. My boyfriend suggested I drive the 2013 Hyundai Azera (used obviously). I was hesitant because I have never heard of it but after driving I was unsure why I have never heard of it!! The exterior looked sporty yet luxurious, the inside was spacious (front, back and trunk space), the interior design was so impressive (comparable to anything I had with my past luxury PLUS some!). I drove it like I would everyday and it was smooth and fast. The cabin was so quiet. The mpg was a huge consideration for me which the Azera did well for a luxury car. And the price for what I was getting was amazing to me! I was sold. I left that day with it. I am almost 5 months into owning it and I could not be happier. I have not had any issues with it and I was in one small fender bender where the other persons car was damaged but mine was not at all which was very impressive. Every time someone gets in my car they ask me "what kind of car is this again? This is really nice!" I had someone get upset after I told them what I spent for it and they felt stupid for buying their car for way more and getting way less. I love my car! This car should be talked about more.

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  The Last "New" Hyundai I will Ever Own. - 2012 Hyundai Accent
  By Dan - September 6 - 3:55 am

  I say the last "new" Hyundai, when really I mean the last Hyundai I will ever own, and the last car I will ever buy new. I bought this car in October of 2011 as a brand new 2012 with 0 miles on it. It was a special order, from the dealer. Luckily, because it was special order, they didnt get the chance to mark it up $1500 like the other cars on their lot. Even still, I barely got out under sticker price. Up to about 20k miles was great, except for the garbage Kumho tires on these cars, which wore out after 16k. 22k miles I had the shifter knob replaced as the leather was deteriorating. 23k I had the heater motor replaced because it was whining terribly. From 23k onwards the clutch throw-out shaft had been making a chirping noise. 15 trips to the dealer.... let me repeat... FIFTEEN. TRIPS. Have all but yet to determine the noise, or even offer to replace parts. 26k I had them replace the clutch slave cylinder and bleed the system... no help. 27k they lubed the throw-out bearing... no help. Fast forward 60,000 chirpy miles later the check engine light comes on. 87k on the clock I bring it in for the light. Small evap leak code P0456. They change all the solenoids at my cost because EVAP is only covered to 82k.... thanks Hyundai. 90k the light comes back on... They clear it, not finding an issue. 92k the light comes on... They clear it, not finding an issue again. 95k.... my FUEL PUMP HOUSING falls apart. Literally cracked completely around the retaining ring and nearly bursts from the tank.... $790 later, out of my pocket AGAIN... its fixed... because the Fuel system isnt covered under the 100,000 mile warranty. 96,000 miles... I still owe $2600 on this car. Never. Again. Goodbye Hyundai.

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  Thrilled - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By RB - September 5 - 5:11 pm

  I purchased this car as an alternative to driving my gas guzzling full sized SUV. I was debating between this and the Honda Civic. I test drove both. There was no significant difference in performance or comfort. The lower price, better warranty, and cash rebate made the choice of the Elantra an easy decision. So far Im thrilled with the car and my decision.