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:
Showing 3621 through 3630 of 13,764.00-
WOW WHAT A CAR - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Barney - November 26 - 9:23 amresearch prior to purchase indicated this is a good car. Took a trip through the rocky mtns. just after purchase, great performance,lots of room,comfort, safety features, and the 5 year warranty. I love this car. Have had lots of positive comments from passers-by, friends etc. Great value for the price.
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OSO SUV - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
By dososos - November 26 - 2:00 amWorkmanship & quality control great.
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The best choice for the money!!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
By Extremely Satisfied - November 26 - 1:00 amI had read about the Sonata before buying it and this car has surpassed ALL my expectations. You cannot get better value for the money right now, period. I test drove a Lexus, the Sonata is 3 times cheaper but it is NOT 3 times less the car. I have had it for almost a week and a couple of people could not believe this was a Sonata, a guy even said it looks better than his aunts Lexus. The warranty is a killer who cares if anything breaks, it even includes free courtesy car!!! You can ride in serious style without being flashy. Handling is impeccable with the 17" wheels, massive tires, excellent braking distance, awesome metallic paint, very powerful and smooth V6. Outstanding!!!
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Love my car - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
By petvetmom1 - November 25 - 1:00 amI researched quite thoroughly before buying my Sonata 2002 used in July 06. Reliability and Safety scores made the difference for me. Since Ive bought it I couldnt be happier. The car is beautiful have gotten comments from friends and strangers about its looks--"looks like a Jag". Besides that I love the car it looks great, ride is smooth and powerful, very quiet. The interior is comfortable, spacious and beautifully appointed, the stereo system sounds great. This is probably the nicest car Ive owned even though it is 5 years old, and Ive owned an a new Accord, a Celica and a Mazda 626. First used car I buy and best buy I ever made.
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A real road predator.. - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
By Md - November 24 - 10:00 amReal Impressive coming from a family of economy class cars, amazing suspension and killer ride. Easy to handle on those really badly constructed exit ramps. Juicy sound on both enginee and stereo, but never combine, (unless you want to roll the windows down and let the world know your rooming around). Great value for what is worth.
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Is Driving Believing? - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
By Munda - November 24 - 10:00 amWhile Ive only owned my Sonata (Black LX)for a month, Id put it up against my wifes 2000 Honda Accord any day. The handling is responsive and sporty for a midsize sedan, the ride is smooth and quiet and the acceleration is more than I expected from only 218 horsepower. I have a fairly long commute and this engine provides better than expected power, coupled with good gas mileage for 6 cylinders.
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For the Price Cant Beat It - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
By sassy - November 22 - 5:06 pmAlready have 4000 miles on it and only had it for 2 car payments. Great little car. Perfect for the commuter who drives a distance. Would recommend it to small familes and a first time driver. Never thought I would own a non-American car, but I am sold.
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Gotta Have it! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
By Doug - November 22 - 1:43 pmThis car is so fun to drive. I love the way it looks and handles. The comfort is amazing and the stereo and Bluetooth connection to my iphone is incredible. It is beautiful to look at and has the problem to roll with the big boys.
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Excellent Vehicle - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
By tjpatt - November 22 - 12:56 pmThe best riding vehicle I have ever owned so far. Ive ridden in many higher end vehicles and this equals or excels in this department.
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Excellent! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
By brude1 - November 22 - 10:00 amGreat car, love to drive it. No problems. BTW the dealership treated me like gold all the way thru. And I paid $4k less than sticker.
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