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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  A Great Experience All Around - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By JayCee - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my first experience owning a foreign car and so far, its been a great one. My Elantra has been a ot of fun to drive. I have 20K miles on it and the only problem so far has been a burned out headlight which was easily replaced. I have the smooth shifting 5 speed and get great gas mileage. My friends call it the K Beamer (as in Korean BMW). Great looking exterior fit and finish, a very functional and well though out interior and a larger then expected trunk. My Hyundai dealer has also been a pleasure to work with. I plan to by the larger Sonata for the family later this year. Way to go Hyundai!

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  A Great Experience All Around - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By jaycee - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my first experience owning a foreign car and so far, its been a great one. My Elantra has been a ot of fun to drive. I have 20K miles on it and the only problem so far has been a burned out headlight which was easily replaced. I have the smooth shifting 5 speed and get great gas mileage. My friends call it the K Beamer (as in Korean BMW). Great looking exterior fit and finish, a very functional and well though out interior and a larger then expected trunk. My Hyundai dealer has also been a pleasure to work with. I plan to by the larger Sonata for the family later this year. Way to go Hyundai!

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  Best Value SUV - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By JOSE FERRERO - October 31 - 12:50 am

  Since I bougth this Santa Fe, always Im finding new features and excellent things of my car. The last one was a lot of covered space under the back carpet. I drove from Fort Lauderdale, FL (33312) to Chandler, AZ (85248) with a trailer on the hitch and the ride was smooth, I didnt feel back pain. The only bad thing is stopping every 230 miles to refuel.

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  What a wonderful surprise - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Don Hooton - October 30 - 9:10 pm

  I never thought Id be driving a Hyundai. But, I walked into the dealer, took one look (and drive), and fell in love with the Azera. Ive had it for 8 months now - I have NO regrets! Plenty of power, smooth (quiet ride), not one problem.

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  I LOVE IT!!! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By trishc - October 30 - 5:26 pm

  This my first SUV- traded in my 2000 Mustang for more room and practicality. My dogs love it- I fold the back seats flat and they plenty of rooms to roam, and dont have to put their paws on the door handles! Very comfortable drive- I took it on a lengthy road trip, and didnt have an aching back when I got to my destination. Very fun to drive, and handles extremely well. Im extremely happy with my new investment!

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  Great car for the price! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Drew Miller - October 29 - 8:13 pm

  I am incredibly happy with my purchase. I had test driven the 09 Corolla, Dodge Caliber, Mitsubishi Lancer, Kia Spectra, etc. The only car that I liked more was the 09 Corolla (the 08 is horrendous to me) as it handled better and was a more comfortable ride. However, the Elantra offers many of the exact same features and includes a warranty that on the Corolla you have to purchase in addition to your vehicle to even come close. The Elantra does lack power on uphill climbs, but it cruises everywhere else. Im getting about 33-35mpg mainly highway, about 28-29 city since buying it (have filled up twice). After the special financing, bought the car for $10K LESS than the Corolla!

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  Would buy another one. - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Tucson Fan - October 29 - 6:50 pm

  This is my second Tucson. I owned a 2006 Tucson for four years and it was one of the most dependable and go-in- the-snow cars I had ever owned. I would still have my first one if Hyundai hadnt changed the body styles. I really love what Hyundai has done for the Tucson style. Hopefully, it will be mechanically as good as its former model.

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  Love my Hyundai - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Patty - October 29 - 2:16 pm

  Drove to Columubus OH from Philly on one tank of gas - with AC! I truly enjoy driving my Hyundai, recommend the manual transmission to zip around and compete with the V6s on the roads these days. My husband has a 2000 Honda Civic and I much, much prefer my Hyundai. Just turned over 40,000 miles and drive my car hard with no problems!

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  My Elantra - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jessica - October 29 - 1:34 pm

  Ive had my new 2005 Elantra for 1 week and from day 1 I just fell in love. It handles beautifully! The gas mileage is unbelieveable! Wonderful car, were very happy.

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  I love the car - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By peter - October 29 - 4:30 am

  I have just returned from a trip to Illinois, what a joy to drive? Over 2000 miles of joy in less than a week. You just cant beat the vehicle for the price!