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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  MY GLS ELANTRA - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By alberto123 - October 27 - 2:00 am

  Awesome care, only been to the shop once and that was to fix a scratch. i love driving it. i have the 5spd manual and it really puts the power to the ground. this car rivals other more expensive makes in its quality and tasteful design inside and out. heck, even my engine has a decorative cover. i love my elantra.

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  Hyundai makes great improvements on 2018 Sonata - 2018 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dave Jahnke - October 26 - 10:29 am

  Feature rich at a very affordable price. Technology package only 1000.00 extra, and adds many additional features beyond the already standard blind spot detection and cross traffic alert. New 7" display screen and Apple CarPlay standard. Subtle styling tweaks improve the staid appearance of the 2015 which I traded in for a 2018. Too early to comment on reliability, but my 2015 had no problems in the 3 years and 66000 miles I drove it.

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  BEST IN CLASS... and two classes above it. - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By dbardell1 - October 26 - 10:21 am

  As a "Car Guy" my congratulations on over achieving with the 2015 Sonata Limited. With the Luxury and Ultimate Packages this car can complete with $50K cars like the ES 350 and the Hyundai Genesis with $20K less out of your pocket. That savings equals free gas for the next 300,000 miles. The ride quality, cabin quietness and room, tech features and MPG make the other cars in its class seem like Model Ts. My wife is far from a car person but she fell in love with our new car!!! GREAT JOB.

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  great ride - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By great choice - October 25 - 8:53 pm

  I bought my sonata about a couple weeks ago and I am very happy. I shopped around at the accord and the Saturn and for the money the sonata won hands down. Great at the pump. Great feel for the road, and very spacious which was a must for me. Love the look of the front end, cool head lights and design. I highly give a good thumbs up. Get back with you in a couple months.

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  Personal opinion and comparisons. - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Maj_Oliver - October 25 - 3:06 pm

  I recently bought my Tiburon GT back in August as a b-day for both my wife and myself. Since we bought the Tiburon weve put it to the test. I put ours on the track in its initial break in phase <1K and broken-in >1.5K so to speak realms. Best times: (Track proven and mounted with window sticker over our mantle) 0-60: 7.537/6.819 Top Speed: 149 1/8 mile: 10.729 65.10 /9.879 71.42 The ride is INCREDIBLY smooth, even compared to my parents CLK 320 and ML 55 AMG Mercedess. Cornering is phenemonal with minimal body roll. Also for you peeps wanting a date magnet, well this car will do the trick. Even my friends thought I spent over 30K but dont tell them I got it for 18.4 driveout.

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  Love this car! - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Margaret - October 25 - 10:10 am

  Just bought it on 11/15/06. Traded in a 2001 Ford Escape. More room than the Escape. Much better gas mileage. Got the two tone platinum. Doesnt show dirt. Everything within reach. Miss the leather and the 6 cd changer from the Escape, but glad I made the purchase.

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  Its about time Hyundai - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By dirks8 - October 25 - 10:00 am

  This car is very stylish, handles really well, and has enough options to satisify most buyers, specially those of the younger import scene. For being a totally new body style and powertrain for the Tiburon, the aftermarket is starting to pick up the pace on this little go-kart.

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  new purchase/new owner - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By angela k - October 25 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking for a moderately priced SUV that still has a V-6 engine, all-wheel drive, and plenty of room inside, this is a great choice.

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  Awsome! - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Robert Car - October 25 - 10:00 am

  I have been waiting for the 3.5 LX AWD for about a year now. The 2.7 was just not enough for me. I have not been dissapointed! I just love this vehicle. I paid just over $25,000 for it and it has the moonroof, tow package, cross rails, the works.

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  Former Mercedes Benz owner - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By La - October 25 - 10:00 am

  Coming out of a leased Mercedes M class, my Santa Fe has that beat! The Santa Fe has a better feel for the road and is much more reliable. The seating is comfortable and the amenities are comparable if not better than the Benz, both vehicles having similar upgraded packages.