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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  Owners Review - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Alton Utsey - June 24 - 5:41 pm

  This vehicle is one of the best handling vehicles I have ever owned. It is simply a fun car to drive. Quality is top of the line when comparing other vehicles I have owned. You just dont get tired of driving this car.

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  Worth of Price - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kumar - June 24 - 4:50 am

  Ive had my 2009 Hyundai Sonata for about 2 months and I still love it! I was looking for a fuel- efficient, has comfort with good interior and in low budget. I had everything I realistically needed in a car...Best of all is that its MAINTENANCE-FREE(oil and air filter change only) in normal conditions for 60K miles.

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  Happy, inexpensive motoring - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bob - June 23 - 12:39 pm

  Bought used and have been very satisfied with car. Many features make this seem and feel like a much more expensive vehicle. Style is attractive and interior well thought out. Always thought Saab 3 series was such a pratical car, then they stopped making it as a hatchback. This car is just the same, small outside but hugh inside carrying capacity.

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  Sonata - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Skim - June 23 - 1:03 am

  Impressive exterior design-comparable to the Lexus ES model superior to competitors, Camry and Accord. Feel reassured by the warranty and safety features.

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  Best For The $$$ - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Shark_GT - June 22 - 6:00 pm

  IMHO - this is an awesome car for the price. Quick, fun to drive, and comfortable. Poor gas milage, but all GT type sports coupes, even the infamous Ford Mustang, are like this. The Tiburon is much more comfortable than the Mustang.

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  Love Mine! - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Bernice - June 22 - 11:10 am

  Ive had mine for a month now and drove across the desert to Arizona in the rain. It handled beautifully! Fun to drive. I love all of the features, and I didnt have to spend a fortune to have them.

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  Smooth ride - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Vince - June 22 - 3:40 am

  I love this car, Ill buy it again. The 235 horses are strong and the ride is quiet.

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  My car - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By tommeade - June 22 - 2:13 am

  I love this car. I have had one mechanical failure which was the clutch detent switch. Dealer replaced it with the best service I have ever had from a dealership. Transmission is smooth and sound system is excellent. Interior is well designed and extremely comfy.

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  I Love my Sonata - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Joe G - June 21 - 9:06 pm

  Let me start by saying that I researched and test drove about every car under $23K prior to picking the Sonata. In doing my research I made price the least important so I could be sure that I got the car I wanted without price being the driving force for my decision. I needed a car that I could put 3 kids in sometimes but got good gas mileage since I travel a lot. I found that the Sonata had more interior room in every aspect and trunk space than any other car in its class and got comparable mpg. The build quality is easily equal to that of its Japanese rivals. I was going to buy the V6 but opted for the 4 banger. It has tons of torque and adequate acceleration. Best car Ive ever had.

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  Love my 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Lincoln, Nebraska - June 21 - 8:53 am

  For the money, the Santa Fe had the best combination of features, comfort, quality interior materials, and performance of any smaller SUV we test drove. I have had my Santa Fe for about 9 months and have driven it about 12,000 miles so far. It is a joy to drive, hauls children and their gear as well as groceries admirably. The only problem I have had was a large radiator leak at about 5,000 miles and the Hyundai dealership corrected the problem without hassle. The EPA ratings are very accurate, about 17 in the city and 22- 23 on the highway. Bottom line, I am very happy with my Hyundai.