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 for the price - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By VerySurprised - March 21 - 10:00 am

  My previous car ,a 95 Altima, was paid off (at least the loan was) but I found myself in the repair shop almost every month with bills more than a car payment would be. So I decided to look for a new car. I test drove different cars from the leading manufacturers. Since my previous perception of Hyundai was not very good, Hyundai was not even in my radar until I saw an article online about the redesigned Sonata. I was presently surprised when I went to my local Hyundai dealership, saw and drove the new Sonata. I have driven 7500 miles so far with no problems. So far I am very impressed with the 2002 Hyundai Sonata.

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  2001hyundia - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Alexmyman - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Bought for value with features? Was leary at first? After one year of driving it and with a few long trips under its belt I fell in love with it. I have a trailer hitch attached and found it quite capable of pulling a decent size load. Gas mileage city around 23 mpg (imperial) highway average is around 35 mpg (imperial) Only problem I had is when getting gas filled up If the gas cap isnt turned tight enough the check engine light comes on and Its a trip to the dealer to fix it.Dealer excellent!!!

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  great value - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By blisowski - March 21 - 9:26 am

  Very little problems in the first year of ownership. Service departments are topnotch and will consider buying a Hyundai in the future. More dealerships would be helpful, it is 45 miles to closest dealer.

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  Love it! - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Sandy R. - March 21 - 7:30 am

  This is my first SUV, every winter I wish I had a 4-wheel drive so I researched online and decided on the Santa Fe. Very glad I did, I love it! Ive gotten a lot of compliments. I already owned an Elantra so I got the owner loyalty rebate along with the special incentive rebate that was going on at the time.

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  Wise Up - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Brad - March 21 - 6:55 am

  I like this car. Great fuel mpg, Dont expect this until after 5000 miles/8000kms.Usually get 33/36(winter with snow tires)35/41(summer) mpg.The interior is roomy up front,Im 511" 210 lbs no complaints.I dont plan on being in the back, all controls are where they should be (except the trip meter),and easy to use. Great road feel,precise steering,(the rims and rubber help). For an (entry level) Ride Im very surprised, with the fit and finish of the interior, (yes the door panels scratch easy), The audio system is ok for now. Did my homework before buying a new ride. Try to find sunroof,rims and rubber,foglights,pwr winows/locks,leather accents,keyless,with a comparable warranty/price GoodLuck

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  Dont buy this car. - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By dave436 - March 19 - 7:35 pm

  I owned 2012 Sonata Limited and 7500 mileage. You will get feeling so bad and get tired because of wandering while drive. (especially on Highway) The poor steering wont be centered as much as 1/2 inches.(left and right) Dealer and Customer center seemed like they have no solution about this so far. Id like you to go with Honda accord. Im waiting for my payoff day.

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  Suprise- Great car. - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By steve davenport - March 19 - 6:40 pm

  The more I drive it the more I like it. This is the smallest car Ive ever owned, but room has not been an issue. The back seat is just fine (kids are teens), The 5 speed makes the small engine work just fine. Seems like a well made car.

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  Accent Hatckback - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By willard - March 18 - 3:51 pm

  I enjoy driving this vehicle around. I only go short distances so I do not know how it is on long trips. I am satisfied with the gas mileage, I had a Honda Civic before this car and the mpg is about the same, but much better than most vehicles out there. I think it was a good buy with gas prices so high....and it can fit anywhere!

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  Without a doubt Hyundai is Number 1 - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By William Lyons - March 18 - 9:36 am

  Country and rough roads were no match for the suspension in my Azera.This car straightened out the curves and leveled the dips on the old country roads. On the highway or state roads I had plenty of passing power.Interior is georgeous with plenty of room.The leather seats were full size with plenty of support and adjustments to please almost anyone.Fit and finish on this Azera was top-notch.Radio and heater controls very easy to use,the size of the buttons and control knobs were designed to fit the average size hand of a male owner. Plastic material in the interior felt like it belonged in a vehicle costing far more than the Azera.Looking forward to having this Azera for a long long time.

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  8 years of non-stop service - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pragnesh Patel - March 18 - 3:35 am

  I bought this car new in Jun 2008. Almost 8 years and 85K. Dealer has free life time oil change. Only maintenance was 25K and 50K service. Two Alignments, One set of 4 tires, couple of lamps, one battery. Looking to change spark plugs in next two weeks and another alignment. Two small hits from behind. Drove every where, sea coast on eastern coast, mountains of yellow stone and smokys, from Northern border to southern border. Works like champ. Hyundai is worth the money. Initially 24 city/39 hwy, now 22 city/34 hwy