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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  Best value for the money on a small SUV - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By kako2 - July 15 - 7:20 pm

  In looks alone is the best of all small SUVs not counting SUVs that cost more than twice as much. For the price of a loaded Tucson, you can only get an entry level Tiguan or any other model. The only comparable SUV for quality and value is the KIA but t does not even come close to the good looks of the Tucson. Got my Limited, with navigation and sky roof for 26k(MSRP was 28.9k), not sure if it was the best deal but I am satisfied with the price.

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  LIFE SAVER! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By ringman - July 14 - 10:41 pm

  I bought this car in May, 2005 for my daughter (it only had 28000 miles). I own 2 mercedes and a vette, but this car was quite comfortable and well built for the price --- definitely a great value. On July 4, a drunk driver collided with my daughter head-on on the freeway (est. closing speed of 140 mph!). My daughter survived with bruises and a back injury which she will recover from --- but, she may have been killed or paralyzed in another car (as was the passenger of the other car). As I see it, this car saved her life!!!

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  Excllent Second Car - 1999 Hyundai Accent
  By SAM - July 14 - 12:49 pm

  Bought the car new in 99 as a commuter for wifes school and cant seem to let it go. Paid for all recommended service at Hyundai dealer and never had a single problem that wasnt covered buy warranty and repaired quickly. Better dealer service than my $35,000 dollar 4Runner gets!!! I have convinced 5 other people (including my Mom)to buy new Hyundais and they all still like me!!! Simply one of the most reliable and affordable cars on the road. The warranty speaks for itself. If it wasnt a decent car why would Hyundai tell you they will fix it for free for 10 years!!! If Hyundai made a minivan I would buy one tomorrow without any hesitation whatsoever. Simply an awsome car and car company!!

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  I love this CAR! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By nextzinn - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Owned a 2002 GLS V6, switched to the 2003 Sonata Sedan 4-cyl. I have owned a Sonata for 16 months now and I will buy another one. The features for the price are outstanding. My friends are busy buying a stripped down Passats and Jettas, they are jealous of the standard features and the price!

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  Its like a video game... - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By s0cks - July 14 - 10:00 am

  The first thing that sold me on this car was the look and options. After driving the Tiburon for the first time, I knew I had to have it, so I bought it. This car is so much fun to drive and be seen in. I love it.

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  Great car for your money - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jordan Wallace - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car a little over three months and love it. I travel back and forth across Washington State quite often. A 600 mile trip. This car has no problems. Plenty of passing power and can easily keep a speed of 80 mph. The cars ride is softer than many other cars I have been it. Not to mention the bang for the buck you get with this car cannot be found in any other car. The car is a great car for a first car or just someone that wants to drive and have fun doing it everyday. Great communter car too. I highly recommend this Hyundai to anyone considering a Focus, Civic, or Corolla. The warranty CANNOT be beat! And it is just as good a car.

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  I found a good thing in a small package - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By JennyGee - July 14 - 10:00 am

  It goes, it stops and it gets you there in a nice looking package. It does all the things a car should do. if you are looking at all cars, then, it isnt the fastest and it doesnt get the best gas mileage and it isnt the prettiest. BUT,if you are looking for the best stuff, for the price, it is by far the fastest, best gas mileage and prettiest car around. This little Hyundai does it all well.

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  I love my baby!!!!! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Borednlazyncrazy - July 14 - 10:00 am

  The 2003 Hyundai Elantra GLS is a great buy. I upgraded from the 2000 Hyundai Accent GL to this car. For $14,500 I have auto, a/c, cd player, power everything, keyless entry, cruise control, and a moonroof. It would of cost me a lot more if I would of gotten a Toyota or Honda. I love driving it with the speakers blaring and my moonroof down - its an amazing driving experience. The 10 year warranty is a great piece of mind. This is the kind of car I want to keep for a long time. Just to tell you how much my family loves Hyundai - we all have one! My mother drives a 2003 Santa Fe and my stepfather drives a 2003 Sonata!!

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  Our 10th Hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By nj2pa2nc - July 14 - 5:13 am

  While having our 05 Hyundai Elantra serviced we looked at the new sonata. There was a venetian red 6MT one. After test driving it we traded in our elantra for it. Love it so far.

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  SIMPLY THE BEST!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Stockmanjoe - July 13 - 8:16 am

  This car is without a doubt the best I have ever owned which includes GMs, Fords, Hondas and VWs. It has amazing pick up especially for a four cyl and the A/C is ice cold which is very important here in Florida. I love the tight handling and huge trunk! The color I have is "dark cinnamon" which you cant find with every make and I love it.