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 vehicle we have ever had - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By L. Watson - February 2 - 2:43 am

  Vehicle is attractive, comfortable, and drives like a dream. We are senior citizens and need the realiability. Easy to enter and exit for tall or large people. Came with all the extras of the higher priced SUVs. The warranty made the deal perfect for us.

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  Affordable and Sporty - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By jbeeber - February 1 - 7:13 pm

  When I decided that it was time for me to get a new car I was really looking for an affordable Mustang. I could not find the Mustang I was looking for and found this car instead. I am very glad that I found this car. I see Mustangs all the time but only once or twice have I ever seen a Tiburon driving around. This car is a great choice for anyone who wants a sporty, rare, and affordable vehicle.

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  Great car - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By Humbuzz - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Las Vegas is full of these things. Youd never guess the price by driving it. Interior is comfy, very nice. Ride is good, handling is safe and predictable. Acceleration is peppy, but weak low end with AC on. Styling takes some getting used to, but I like it. Motor noise is always present but very pleasant throaty like a sports car. Totally reliable. It was a great decision!

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  This really is a great suv - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By D.B. - January 31 - 6:23 pm

  I have had this car less than a week, and I love it. I owned two CRVs prior to this. Even though I had confidence in the quality Honda provides, the loud interior noise was getting to me and I was tired of waiting for the "new" 2007 honda crv to find out if the cabin noise had improved. The santa fe is more of a luxury feeling car. Its smooth and quiet. I purchased the 3.3 litre with front wheel drive.

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  Azera vs Linclon LS - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By David & Mary Weber - January 31 - 12:23 pm

  What a car! More all around room than our 04 Lincoln LS. More power, smoother shifting trans, just as many if not more features. All for $8 - $10 grand less. And it runs on regular fuel vs premium. Great stereo, good vision, ride is soft for my liking, but still rides nicely. It is my wifes car, she picked it and she loves it, period. Many positive comments on looks and styling. Full size spare with same style wheel, back to 5 tire rotation, good thing. Sun screen in rear window, what a neat thing to have if you have rear seat passengers. We live in Fl and it comes in handy almost everyday. Mileage could be better, but at least it takes regular. Thanks to my wife, good purchase.

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  "woo-hoo!" - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By KBell - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Drives fantastic, fun to pick up and go on those country roads. Plenty of, "what kind of car is that?" - people like em. Simply "woo-hoo!"

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  youll enjoy the luxury - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By jean - January 31 - 10:00 am

  The xg350L has the comfort and quality of much higher priced cars . . . and a bargain. I have always enjoyed a sporty "feel" in the past, but have fallen in love with this model. Dollar for dollar, it is a best buy. I like the roomy interior, the leather seats, the fold down rear seats, and other added features which make this car a delight to drive.

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  bumper - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By maloni - January 31 - 10:00 am

  this is the car that you can prve against crazy drivers, if they try to hit you for the bumper in the rear they gonna cry after that

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  fun! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By paul - January 29 - 2:10 am

  It may have been my mid-life crisis decision, but was a great one. Beautiful car. Can not look at anything else because others look way too plain after driving this car. Keeping it in the garage for now, but, love to leave it out and look at it out the window. Listens to me. When I want to go, it goes, when I want to stop, it stops, when I want to turn without stepping on the breaks, it turns. Wow!

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  Sharp car, very comfortable - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By DonPat - January 25 - 4:03 pm

  I just bought this car a week ago, so keep that in mind. I immediately took a 200 mile trip. The seats are fantastic! Very comfortable. I have a bad back, and my back did not hurt at all. The ride is surprisingly smooth, especially given the low-profile tires. The 4-speed manual is not real sporty, and acceleration is not blazing. The engine sound on acceleration is sweet. There is a lot of room under the hatch. The rear seat is for children only, but holds a booster seat comfortably. If you want quicker response and acceleration, try the SE with 6-speed manual. I drove it, and it was smooth with great pick- up. I only got the Limited because my son will learn to drive on this car.