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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  Second go-around...not bad.. - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Srh - June 25 - 2:43 pm

  Just bought my second Santa Fe; I traded in my 2002 GLS Model. Very pleased with how much smoother the 2007 rides and how much bigger it is in size; third row seat is a nice option. A little disappointed with the gas mileage, though; its not anywhere near whats listed, but Im still breaking it in. I think Hyundai makes a great product overall--never had a problem with my 2002.

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  awesome 2.4 - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By david 2.4 - June 25 - 1:32 pm

  I love my Hyundai Sonata, I bought it for the gas mileage, and its sporty design it puts you in mind of a Lexus. I live in a mountain region of the country and it pulls the hills as good as the day i bought it. My family purchased a new 08 Chrysler sebring and my sonata out performs it 2 to 1. Only thing is it has a low resale value. Ill buy another hyundai when this one dies. They say they are good for 200,000 miles, i guess Ill wait and see.

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  My Tiburon - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Jimmy Self - June 25 - 12:50 pm

  Love the Car I bought it in 2005 and love every minute of it.

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  Hyundai 2007 hatch back - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Yvyuca - June 25 - 11:32 am

  I bought my car in 2007. I have had problems from the beginning. I just wanted to know if anyone else out there has had problems with the car not starting after making a few stops around town? I turn the key but nothing happens. It is almost like the battery is dead but everything else works. After I try for a while the car finally starts. I took it to the dealer, but they cannot seem to find anything wrong with the car. I am very frustrated with the situation. I was stuck in a parking lot for over a half hour . I have finally decided to let them keep the car until they can find what is wrong with it. I am very interested in knowing if anyone else is experiencing this same problem.

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  SUV driving at its best - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By revkauffman - June 25 - 10:16 am

  It feels like your in a big SUV but it has much better gas miliage

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  Let me down.... - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By captain_jag - June 25 - 9:31 am

  ... at the worst possible time... in the worst possible way. I chose this car mainly on Hyundais good reputation and was convinced it would be durable. These are important things when choosing a used vehicle. 5 months and 6K miles in, the transmission went and cost me 3.5K to fix. Not what I had in mind when I spent $11,5K on it! Ive had good ownership experience of VWs, Toyotas and Hondas in the past and while you have to maintain and keep up, none of them let me down, so the Hyundai is on its own. If youre considering it as an alternative to a CRV/RAV4/ Highlander/Pilot/Forester dont, this car cannot pretend to be anywhere near of these. If you really must pay $2K for a dealer warranty

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  Move over Mazda CX9! - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By bernibookh - June 24 - 7:20 pm

  Hyundai Veracruz Limited Edition is the best SUV on the market!(personal Opinion) After buying a 2008 Chrysler Pacifica, which turned out to be a Lemon,(Buy Back) I had my mind set on the Mazda CX9. My husband kept telling me to look at the Veracruz before buying the Mazda CX9, and I am soo happy I did! This vehicle is nice and is loaded with the best stuff! Compare interior and exterior...but by far, Hyundai Veracruz has better Warranty and the dealership was 100% better on satisfying customers! Like everyone is saying...try it! You will be glad you did! No regrets here!

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  My Santa Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Liz - June 24 - 3:23 pm

  I have had my Santa Fe for (4) years and overall it has been a good experience. The vehicle has been reliable with no major maintenance work required. It is fun to drive and just as stylish as some of the more expensive SUVs on the road. My ownership experience was always very good when I dealt with Arnold Hyundai never had a problem. I went to Suburban Hyundai in Troy, MI after Arnold Hyundai moved far from my home. I do not like that dealership, so back to Arnold (Victory) Hyundai I go!

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  GREAT LIL CAR - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sonny - June 24 - 1:52 pm

  This was my first new car and before I bought it I felt I had done a good job researching and it paid off. This car gets better gas mileage the listed in the epa estimates. I get 34 miles per gallon hmy and about 29 in city. It is quiet, smooth, comfortable, and has the space I have needed for moving things around, shopping etc. (I was able to fit my dishwasher at one point as well as a full sized treadmill in box). Good car, good price, good service at the dealership.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By TxWmn71 - June 24 - 1:06 pm

  I thought I would be downgrading from my Santa Fe to the Elantra, but I love this car. With gas prices the way they are, I love averaging 30-32 mpg (mostly highway driving at 80mph). I even managed 42 mpg with a strong tailwind. Going from a V8 to V6 to a 4-cyl, I am impressed with its power. I could not have asked for a better price in a car that includes leather heated seats, 6 CD changer and MP3 jack. I hear the seats in the back are extremely comfortable and there is plenty of leg room. The trunk can handle a 40" diameter folding table. A less bumpy ride would be nice, but it is tolerable. It has been very reliable. I would not want to be doing my 24k miles a year in anything else.