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 - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By angshewas - July 29 - 2:39 pm

  When I started looking to replace my 12-year-old car, I never thought that Id be able to afford a new one. Im glad I did some research. This is such a great vehicle for the price. Smooth ride, decent gas mileage and plenty of storage compartments. I also love the satellite radio, auxiliary output, the nice blue lights, the good-sized trunk that easily fits all our baby stuff and more, and of course the safety features and awesome warranty. I am so happy that I got this car. If it turns out to be as reliable as it seems so far, my next car will be a Hyundai, too.

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  Worth every dime. Best value. - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dennis - July 29 - 11:42 am

  Paid $17,500 for it while competition was going for 19 to 22,000. Bang for the buck could not be beat. Very, very good car.

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  33000 mi update - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By 56mouseman - July 28 - 8:59 pm

  I leased this loaded 06 lx because I was leery of Hyundai as brand. 3 yrs.& 33k mi. Later I am going to buy it. Still love the car I spite of the 2 things that bug me=the seatbelt warning bell is going to die after I buy it and the am radio is the worst I have ever had (29 cars). I was going to buy a 09 but I hated the black carpet in the light interior. Stupid and cheap looking. (all the 08 ltds were gone!) I average 24-25 mpg with the v6

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  great car for the money - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By dashingwave - July 28 - 8:34 pm

  Ive had this car for almost 7 years and its been very reliable. The only repairs : the power steering pump had to be replaced and the exhaust pipe was replaced. I think the power steering pump went because I turned the wheel a lot after the car was turned off ( turned to put the crook lock on ) . Other then these repairs and normal maintenance, Ive had no trouble with this car. Starts up everyday and runs great. And its still under warranty 7 years after I bought the car in 2001 . You cant beat Hyundais warranty ! If you buy an old car , check to make sure the timing belt is good. If the timing belt breaks itll ruin your engine and cost you at least $1500 to repair.

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  Driving it my way to the bank - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jason - July 28 - 2:20 pm

  Its a great car. I have owned it for over a year. If you can get passed the name plate your well on your way to a great ownership experience. If you have too much money go ahead and buy something else. But in all reality- this car has almost everything else beat in its class at a significantly lower price point. Engine is great. Interior fits my 6ft 2in 210lb frame very well. Its really quiet at freeway speeds. Its easy to get in and out of. The sound system w/ subwoofer is actually really quite good.

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  Great car great value - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Love this car - July 28 - 11:06 am

  I really enjoy driving this car. I have owned many cars and this ranks with any of them. It is not quite as enjoyable to drive and as luxurious as my grandprix gtp but it also didnt cost as much and it has excellent safety features and warranty. I have never heard of a car with so many options at such a low cost 19k. I will buy another hyundai when I buy my next car!

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  Fun, fun, fun - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Mikeeeee - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I got the Gt model back in August, for only $750 more I upgraded to the 6 speed, trust me, it was definetly worth it. All of my friends drive eclipses and talons but even they couldnt put down my car once they saw it/drove it. I have been looking at tibs since they first came out and the 2003 model is a must have. Fun to drive, fun to look at.

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  Great Auto - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By cdarnell - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought the XG350 2 years ago and have nothing but praise for it. The only service has been regular maintaince and gas milage could not be better.

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  my hyundai experiance - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By rick diede - July 28 - 2:00 am

  handles well,hwy miles i thought would be a little better,comfort is good,plenty ofv foot space

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  What ? - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By phurbace - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Just a nice car for the money