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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  Good compromise but not quite perfect - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Larry - October 12 - 2:00 am

  In a depressed economy, Genesis 4.6 is good compromise to upscale German/ Japanese sedan. It has Lexus leather,a quality sounding stereo,decent acceleration,a good warranty. However, it suffers most with aggressive handling. It severely understeers when aggressively cornering and fights the driver to straighten out rather than staying in the curve ala BMW. Automatic transmission is smooth but sport mode (pseudo manual) shifting is lethargic.There is glare over the seven inch display and no touch mode operation. Better bluetooth than my BMW M5.Cooled seat setting (driver only) defaults off each time car is turned off. Stereo spontaneously switches to IPOD mode (same song) when car starts up cold.

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  Its not as good as everyone says - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Passing - October 12 - 2:00 am

  They have made improvements in last few years but as far the over all quality goes it is still not at par with Toyotas and Hondas. I bought it after reading good reviews and due to standard safety features, but after driving 35k my car started to give vibration issues. Dealership put it on 4-cylinder engine, but it was same before 35K, so not sure how come all of sudden engine started to give less power, that too after all regular services being performed on time. They(dealer) are least bothered to look into it and tried to put it as if it is normal, but I have driven enough cars to know it is not normal. They even got me to do services which are not required till 70-80K.

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  Great Econ Car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By aznrule191 - October 9 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a great economy car since the day I bought it. I got 26 MPG around town and then 30+ on long highway trips. I put a K and N filter in and now it runs even better with even more efficient gas mileage. This car comfortably sits 4 people and can have a fifth if necessary.

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  2005 Sonata GLS - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Brian - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. I have 125,000 miles on it and have not had ONE problem - nothing at all.

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  Good for the price - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By barry j - September 28 - 2:00 am

  For the price paid, this is a very good small car. Happy with all except gas mileage is not as good as claimed. Cant compare to my Lexus but as I said its very good for the price as a runaround vehicle. I do recommend it highly. thank you, bj

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  Good, but not Excellent - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Jeff - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Genesis, in part, based on my experience with the Sonata. Unfortunately, the quality did not repeat itself. In the first year, the drivers seat mechanism, collision detection sensors and steering wheel adjustment motor failed. The dealership did a great job of making it right, but the Hyundai Motor America customer service response was lacking. However, for the price, the car is loaded with features, drivers great, is quiet and good looking. The A/C programming algorithms could use some work. I got the smaller engine and still have problems keeping it under 80 mph. My only disappointment is that the quality of this car doesnt match my previous Hyundai experience.

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  Azera junk! - 2010 Hyundai Azera
  By jimt1939 - September 25 - 2:00 am

  I sent a review the other day and I have since heard from Hyundai customer service. Nothing has changed. They still sell junk and call it quality. The selling dealer is no better. I will not buy another or even keep this one. Bad tires ( Michelin ) terrible ride. Road noise is terrible. Don`t forget you do not need Miller Hyundai in vestal New York. And you do not need a Hyundai from anywhere.

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  Some problems- still love it! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By samsonata07 - September 24 - 2:00 am

  When i bought my car in February, the drivers visor was broken. the dealership fixed it. when i went to drive it off the lot, the wipers wouldnt turn off. the switch went. the dealership said they would fix it but they never got back to me about the part, so for now i just take the fuse out and put it in when i need it. i will get it fixed eventually. about a month after i had my car the passenger visor broke! its still broke because my dealership wont get back to me! i have a warranty but i dont know how to get hold of anyone. my brakes squeak a lot. i need new brakes and new tires. i love the room in this car and the power. i just dont like everything falling apart. i get about 21 mpg.

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  Best for the Money - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By JimGoose - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought 2010 Elantra GLS. Sticker $17,710, transaction price $15,500 with another $2,500 in rebates. Walked out the door after taxes and fees owing $14,700, 0 down. Nice car, solid build and QUIET, more so than cars costing much more. Yes, there are hard plastics, but gaps are tight, no squeaking or noises. XM satellite a disappointment, as it cuts out constantly. Only other complaint is that cold idle speed really high, 1500 rpm and doesnt drop by much after a minute or two of idling. Id rather see 700 rpm. 34 mpg in combined driving. Definitely recommend as best car value for the money.

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  Still the best value in the land - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By Ed - September 21 - 2:00 am

  Still the best value. Bought my Azera only six months ago and already put 12,000 miles on it. Its a dream. What a value for the bucks (less than $20K). And I always get looks and comments. Minor annoyances: drivers seat doesnt go back far enough bumps are over exaggerated. But all in all its more than likely the best car Ive ever owned (and Ive owned about 15). Nothing to think about. If youre looking for a great car at a great price - Azeras your only real choice. Im even thinking about getting another one.