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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  Sunroof caution - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By AZ - November 4 - 10:00 am

  We were not informed that consumers lose about 2 inches of headroom with the factory installed sunroof. It is also leaks when we go through touchless car washes. It has been replaced and still leaks. The Hyundai regional rep. told us that all sunroofs leak.

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  Oh. Ver. Rated. - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By John K. - November 3 - 9:53 pm

  The windshield defogger fogs up the windshield exterior, obscuring my view – to me, a major hazard. The driver’s seat only supports up to my shoulder blades. I can tolerate it for about 30 minutes. The light on the PRND console indicator is distractingly bright; the ride is harsh, choppy, noisy; the electronic door lock doesn’t always lock the doors; observed gas mileage is nowhere near published figures; the vague digital readout of the gas gauge won’t allow close scrutiny when nearing empty; the tilt/telescope steering column and remote outside mirror control feel cheap and don’t operate smoothly; the steering column doesn’t lock when the ignition is off; high beams are not very bright.

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  Great value, great style - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By tc - November 3 - 7:50 am

  I live in the city so I dont drive a lot. My car still looks new and I havent had any problems with it. I get a lot of attention for the styling; people are always SHOCKED when they see that its a Hyundai. My friends always refer to it as a "sports car". If I bought it again I would get the V6 in dark blue; the silver looks cool but shows dirt. Overall, I have absolutely no regrets on choosing this car. I did a ton of research before buying it and it is a fantastic value. They do honor the free roadside assistance agreement; I called once for a flat tire and another time for a dead battery.

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  So far so good - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Mike Heath - November 3 - 7:20 am

  The comfort of this car cannot be overstated. The build seems excellent.

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  nice car - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By mjhjyc - November 2 - 11:36 pm

  This car feels like more expensive car than it really is.. I like they way this car handles and drive - very smooth and quiet. cabin is well isolated - very quiet on highway. nice interior design - especially nice looking blue lights. almost 2000~3000 cheaper than Japanese competitors. fantastic value! overall, i rate this vehicle as an excellent all around compact sedan with high buid quality.

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  Great car - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Tyler_PHL - November 2 - 4:56 pm

  This car is great, with the 4WD I consistently get 33 HWY and about 24 around town, when I drive normal. Very comfortable to drive even on long trips. Since my car is fully loaded people have mistaken it for the Lexus or other high end cars until they see the Hyundai H. Great choice, I would pick it again.

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  Love Hyundai - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Jannes - November 2 - 2:13 pm

  I had a 94 Hyundai Excel before this and after losing it in a fire wanted something just like it. Found the Accent, which is basically its younger sister. I have only a couple design issues Id change, but I love this car. The speed sensors did have to be replaced before 30K but the warranty covered it completely. If youre not looking to be out racing people & dont tend to have more than 1 passenger, its about as close to perfect as you can come. I definitely plan on sticking with Hyundais from here on out.

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  Great Value - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Dawn - November 2 - 6:50 am

  I just purchased a 2010 Hyundai Tuscon, and I love it! The new body design and interior are very attractive, and I got all the options I wanted for much less than other car companies sticker prices. The dealership also gave me the very highest blackbook value for my trade. The Tuscon drives like a car but allows me better visibility and a higher vantage point. I cant say enough nice things about the sales people at Hot Springs Hyundai--they were honest, forthright, and a pleasure to do business with.

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  I WILL NEVER BUY HYUNDAI AGAIN!!!!! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By NEVER AGAIN!!!!!! - November 1 - 7:50 pm

  Having previously owned a 2003 Santa Fe, when the new 2007 came out I had to have one. It was the biggest mistake I have ever made. Hyundai Motor America has been completely uncooperative in regards to warranty issues. Hyundai may offer a great warranty but dont be fooled. I was sold a lemon! The car has been in the shop EIGHT times since we bought it nine months ago. The car had a faulty engine coil, misfiring in the 5th cylinder (4 times), entire fuel system malfunction, improperly installed computer software and finally two bad oxygen sensors. We are so fed up that we are now selling the 2003 because we just need to cut all ties with Hyundai. Buyer beware!

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  Lot of Bang for the money - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By JRT - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I researched the market for over two months, test drive the Mazda Tribute and Ford Escape and found ride to be too stiff; was leaning towards Toyota or Honda, but the Warranty on the Hyundai was very appealing so I drove all three of the above. After test drive I came away convinced that the Hyundai Santa Fe was a runaway winner; I have not regrets about my choice. Great vehicle, and a great value for the money.