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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  OK car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jeff - June 24 - 10:28 pm

  I bought my Sonata 6/04 and traded it 4/07 with 77K miles. It was comfortable, but with the 4cyl acceleration left something to be desired (with no MPG benefits to show- 22mpg, mostly hwy, in the winter, 24- 26 in the summer). Reliability was questionable (in the shop 3 times with emissions issues, 1X brakes, 1X fuel pump). My friend has a V6 Sonata with none of the issues, better MPG and much more power. It was comfortable, interior used cheap materials but put together well, and I did like the car. I will buy another Hyundai (but not when putting 25-30K miles a year on the car), may buy an Elantra or new Sonata to compliment my new BMW (2003 model) for when an auto trans would be nice.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Greg - June 24 - 1:53 pm

  Never thought I would own a Hyundai. Was about to purchase a Lexus, saw the Azera in a parking lot and was hooked. Incredible value! Have had only one problem. The plastic drivetrain cover fell off while doing 80mph on hiway 5 in the middle of nowhere. Scared me!

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  Great Ride - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Buddy - June 24 - 8:43 am

  Forget Lexus,Mercedes and the rest.Super--period.You dont need to spend 40,000 or more. First class all the way.

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  Not very happy - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Rich - June 24 - 7:46 am

  I bought my tucson in april of 2006. Its ok gas the avg I get is 22mpg city and highway. But since i have bought the vechile, it has fell apart. I take very good care of my vechile and the ashtray doesnt stay closed(2nd time ive had the problem, sunglass holder doesnt close(1st time problem). The fuel system is not right, it leaks gas out of the evap valve everytime i fill it, it has gone back to hyundai 6 times for the problem and everytime it is something different, they claim it is fixed. I go to fill it and it still does the same thing. Overall its an ok mini-suv but I am not sure with the problems hyundai has given me, if i will ever buy another one.

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  Outstanding Purchase by Ken in Virginia - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Ken - June 24 - 7:00 am

  I have owned the Azera for 6 weeks and have just passed the 1200-mile mark. As the owner of two Mercedes Benz sedans, the Azeras ride and handling is very similar and better in some respects. As a baby-boomer and former muscle car owner, I was very pleasantly surprised at the "pick up" and immediate power for passing or just enjoying the power packed in this great sedan. Maximum gas mileage so far has been 25 miles per gallon (combined city and highway). I like the body style, but did not know how much I appreciated it until I saw other Azeras on the road. The car has great lines and really catches your eye!

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Quiles - June 23 - 11:40 pm

  First purchase ever and the Santa Fe was not my first choice. However, after test driving and sitting in all areas of the vehicle, I fell in love with the comfort and ease of the car. Drives quietly, smoothly and has an awesome pick up for a 4 cyl. Gas mileage has been great. Body is sleek and classy. Two downfalls; some parts feel flimsy i.e. gas tank cover, moldings on doors below windows. Also, I have an unexplained muffled thumping sound from the cabin of the car.

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  Wonderful Vehicle but Fuel Mileage? - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By JB63 - June 23 - 2:20 pm

  Bought the Santa Fe for its price, appearance an build and of today am very happy with all elements except for the fuel mileage. Small gas tank and far less than advertised mileage keeps you in the gas station way too much. Mileage in town has been 15.5- 16, and to date, the best I have been able to get highway driving has been 20.5 mpg! That is on remote two lanes at 60 MPH.

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  Hyundai Tucson - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Hoff1 - June 23 - 9:33 am

  Like this vehicle a bunch. Good comfortable ride. Cant beat the warranty. A/C is cold and love the tinted glass. This is my first Hyundai and Im very impressed. Gas mileage is disappointing. Lucky to get 13 mpg in the city. Stereo is great. Nice and roomy.

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  Toyotas No More - 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By Camileo - June 23 - 6:18 am

  This is my second Sonata, and my first Hybrid. Got a very good deal on this car, in that I bought it from inventory as their last 16 Hybrid left on the lot. Really love this car. Expected to get 41 MPG typically, but getting closer to 44-50 in my suburban/freeway driving. Less on cold days (as low at 38 MPG) with the heater running. Better acceleration than I expected. Car doesnt know its a Hybrid apparently. Does anyone else tie the electric and gas engines together harmoniously other than Hyundai? Seems like a no brainer. Much smoother ride than my 2011 GLS. The shifting between electric and gas mode is seamless. That was a "wow". Really like the blue tooth voice dialing system. Works better than my wifes system. People have complained about the Blue Link navigation, but I have gotten used to it. Has pluses and minuses next to my wifes Honda Accords built-in navigation system. My only complaint is that the battery went bad prematurely, but that might be expected when you buy a 16 at the beginning of the 17 model year. Would have been nice had it come with a spare tire. Overall though, much more than I expected for the price.

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  Newest Hyundai - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By labrat - June 22 - 10:25 pm

  I only have 2200 miles so far but the only problem has been a rebalance of the front tires. Most driving is on freeways with minimal surface street driving. Mileage is well within expected ranges and comfort is great. The select shift has proven itself in mountain driving being able to control down hill speed and curves easily.