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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  great car - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By silverado - January 7 - 5:30 pm

  This car is everything I hoped it would be and more. It is designed to maximize the aspect of pleasure behind the wheel without going overboard. It is super quiet, has a magnificent stereo, air conditioned drivers seat, good visibility, comfortable seats, etc. Mechanically the car is totally satisfactory.

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  outstanding car,competes with $40,000 car - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By bernard n edwards - January 7 - 4:13 pm

  Hyundai has really managed to build us a car that i would compare with a $40,000 car. The ride is smooth, not floaty and tracks beautifully. Extremely quiet, gorgeous interior and exterior, extremely high quality. We just love the car and the new 3.8 litre engine. The Azera moves easily with no effort, smooth transmision, works good with the engine - lots of torque. Hyundai rules in my house.

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  Great car - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Sammy - January 7 - 12:06 pm

  My wife and I traded our Infiniti I30 for the Azera Limited with ultimate pkg. We chose the Azera after comparing it to Acura TL, Lexus ES 330, Buick Lecerne and Toyota Avalon. The Azera was equal to or superior to all of them and thousands of $ less expensive. Its a nicer car than the I30. We love the fit, finish and ride.

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  Hyundai is the Honda of 2008 - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By SteelMike58 - January 7 - 5:56 am

  The Hyundai Santa Fe is a wonderful compact SUV, that drives like a car, but is extremely versatile. My SF has 3rd row seats so that I can seat up to 7 passengers, unbelievable! Also, if I have 2 with car seats and one older child I can put one car seat in the back and still have the other backseat down (split folding seats in the 3rd row) which is great for cargo. This vehicle is smooth and the interior is beautiful. The industrial design of the interior is so much better then the cheap plastic of Toyota RAV4 or Honda CRV. The interior is very classy and the V6 engine is powerful yet gas efficient. I have 12k miles on my 2007 SF and am getting 24 mpg per tank on 50% hwy & 50% city drivin

• 

  tested it and buying it - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By John A. - January 7 - 2:00 am

  The first place I went to, to buy a car was Toyota. There Celica was pretty good, until I tried the new Tiburon. This car had a better sound to it, smoother shifting (eventhough im a n00b at it), great stereo, and most of all, the acceleration is amazing for the price. I might even be able to beat my friends Mustang when I get my new Tiburon.

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  almost perfect and not too expensive - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By nick a - January 6 - 9:20 pm

  I bought my 2.ot in december and love this car, maybe should have gotten the v6, but still very happy. The acceleration is very nice for the size of the engine. I havent noticed any of the turbo lag that many have noted, just learned the sweet spots I guess. Fit and finish is nice although I could do without the silver painted plastic masquerading as chrome. Looks are great, interior is well laid out and comfortable. Handling is great, ride is nice. Great car especially for the money

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  A Great Mini Van - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By M Allen - January 6 - 7:55 pm

  This is a wonderful mini van... Has ALL the bells and whisles. Tested the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna and THIS is the winner hands down.

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  hyundai suv rating - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By vbuf - January 6 - 7:20 pm

  purchased the vehicle due to satisfaction with the previous purchase of a 2004 accent (new), same dealer. Hyundai is on par with honda & toyota as far as Im concerned regarding quality, performance and reliability. Dealer satisfaction is also high. The warranty exceptional and the additional bumper to bumper warranty is very reasonable. When shopping, the honda salesperson said Hyundai has to give a 10 yr warr. that Honda products are superior, so I ask, if Honda is so certain regarding its products, why not offer the 10 yr warr., guess what, the salesperson had no answer. Ill stick with Hyundai for mileage and reliabilty.

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  Great car except for suspension noise - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Steve - January 6 - 4:53 pm

  We realy like our new 06 Sonata LX except for one thing. The suspension on these cars make a really loud sound when going over bumps. It makes the car sound like a bucket of bolts. This has been a major topic of discusion on the Hyundai forums with a lot of owners looking for Hyundai to provide a solution. Its to bad because other than that its an outstanding car. You listing Hyundai? Wheres our fix!!

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  So far so good - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mike - January 6 - 4:00 pm

  I received this car new as a graduation gift and since I have put on 78,000 miles and have had it just shy of 3 years. It has been a dependable car, and has had no mechanical issues since 2004. I dont know if I would by a Hyundai again, not that it has been bad, but rather because although it has been a good car, the scheduled mantainence is rather pricy, and rather frequent. Gas mileage also needs to improve over what it is (never above 30 in city...expect around 27/8, never above 34 highway...expect 31) If looking at cars, definitely give this one a look.