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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  Another look - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Impressed User - April 26 - 10:00 am

  I shopped for a long time for a car. The tiburon has given me a sports car that is fun to drive, and a great price. Not to mention it turns heads. I believe its a great buy for the money.

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  Tiburon Or Bust - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By eighty88 - April 26 - 10:00 am

  I put this car through its paces a couple weeks ago. Took a drive over the Cajon pass into Californias High Desert. I was in 6th gear all the way, and the car was hardly working. Stearing was precise and effortless. Go ahead and spend 5 or 7k more for a Toyota, or Mitubishi.

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  Its nice fooling all of the others - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By TRP - April 26 - 12:20 am

  10 year/100,000 miles 25 combined MPG (my experience, not EPA) 306HP and 266Lb/ft torque Leather seats, iPod, USB, and Bluetooth This is the only vehicle which fit my very, VERY short list and I had to make no compromises to get. $25,000 for a car which can easily be in BMW/Infiniti range, from a company with no previous hits. I run heavy on the gas and still get 25 miles per gallon, along with at least one redline per drive. There are only two reasons this car didnt get a 9/10 or 10/10 in one category (see below).

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  Great Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Smith - April 25 - 3:18 pm

  We love this car and will definitely get another Sonata. We had a 89 Honda Accord and this is just as good if not better.

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  Unbeatable Value ... Excellent Quality - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By John P. - April 25 - 10:16 am

  Some buyers think quality and price are synonymous ... but the Sonata is a perfect exception to that rule. Superior V6 performance with tight handling ... and satisfactory ride. At 33k miles, its been completely reliable. The fit and finish is very comparable to Honda ... but without the $4~5k extra price. This Alabama built "jewel" is a real winner !! Fuel economy is very acceptable for the engine size (25~27 mpg mixed driving). If you are looking for a quality mid-to-large size sedan, you will kick yourself for not looking at Hyundai. Truly the best "value play" on the market.

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  Welcome in the New Sonata - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By rkaslyfox - April 25 - 6:13 am

  If you were having any reservations about what your next family sedan should be, let me help. This is far and away the absolute best of the best. The fit and finish is approaching that of vehicles costing thousands more. You have options that are standard that arent even available on the competition (heated front AND rear seats as an example). The motor is more than adequate and extremely fuel efficient. I predict this vehicle will become the most highly acclaimed vehicle in the segment. The facts are undeniable and the vehicle itself stirs emotion!

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  Gave it a chance. Fed up. - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By ifaub - April 24 - 5:14 pm

  My wife and I purchased this car used in December 2006. One main reason was for its reported gas mileage. Another was for its "value". This car has been one problem after another. Multiple issues with the brakes (took them 4 times back in the shop to finally fix the problem). The paint downright fading/falling off on the door handles. MPG is around 19/21 even after the ridiculously expensive 60k mile service ($1200) and bringing it back again for diagnostics to see if something was wrong to cause poor fuel economy. Nothing found, but tried to up sell the injector cleaning service. Now, the vehicle feels like the trans is having some problems. Done with it. Trading it in this weekend.

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  Hope they can fix or wont buy another. - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By D. Hughes - April 24 - 3:28 pm

  Impressed by the fit, finish, and options for the money. Didnt like the way the transmission shifted from day one. Under light throttle at 20-30 mph it cant seem to decide what gear it should be in. Also, torque converter lock up frequently wont release under load on a grade without first forcing a 5-4 downshift. More recently, I have been experiencing an intermittent but pronounced bucking/jerking under light load at 25-40 mph. It appears to be related to torque converter lock up problems. Engine is noisy (probably piston slap) until fully warmed up. Suspension transmits a lot of noise over rapid bumps such as rail road tracks or rough pavement. Tire noise is apparent on smooth roads.

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  "Azera" Best Buy in its Class - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Eric Conova - April 24 - 12:33 pm

  Extremely smooth drive...plenty of interior room, even for my 64" frame...features that are standard would be optional in other models in the same class...milage off a little, however, for its size, averaging between 18 and 25 mpg...the smartest buy Ive made in many years...

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  So far So Good - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mark - April 23 - 4:33 pm

  Love our 1993 Toyota Corolla so we looked at the 2005 models but chose the Elantra instead. We are both 6 feet tall and have a bit more leg, head, and shoulder room in the Elantra than the 2005 Corolla. Costs less than the Corolla too, for the same equipment. And it can tow 3,086 lbs instead of 1,500 if we ever need it. Reminds me of the Corolla from the 90s - simple and clean interior design. Live in Phoenix, AZ metro area, been running the A/C non-stop and getting 28 mpg so far with mixed city/highway driving. Longer basic and powertrain warranty than any comparable car out there. Smaller turning radius than the Corolla, handy for U-turns on side streets.