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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  Love my Santa Fe - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By maggymay78 - September 18 - 11:03 am

  I like how it handles on the road, especially on the turns. It is much better on gas than my truck was. The AWD should be great for the winter.

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  My 2009 Limited Sonata V6 - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By QuanG - September 17 - 2:40 pm

  Well, I have only had my Sonata 3 weeks. After trading in my 2002 Altima. I am very please with the design of the car in and out. I love the amenities. For the price I got my car for I could not pass it down. The car has a very soft ride which I had read about. But not too bad. Car engine seems much better in Shiftronic mode than in normal drive mode. Cant write much at the moment since the car is still pretty much brand new.

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  Noisy engine - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Alex Povolotski - September 17 - 6:20 am

  Very good design, both outside and inside of the car. Feels a little on the smaller side inside, not too much room in the back but OK. Very good dashboard layout. Visibility is OK but Ive seen better. Ont the downside, the engine is too noisy to my taste. The power is sufficient for this small vehicle but engine noise is intrusive. Im more used to Buick and Lexus-type serenity.

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  New Hyundai Owner - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By MJ - September 17 - 2:43 am

  I traded in my 2009 Mazda 3 for the 2010 Santa Fe a few weeks ago for the increased utility. Im a sports junkie and needed the cargo space of an SUV for all my sports equipment. I researched and/or drove the Rav4, CRV, Tucson, and several others, but fell in love with the Santa Fe when the minute I started driving it. Ive never owned a Hyundai before, but I am thoroughly impressed with their build quality, interior design, and performance. The lengthy warranty is great, as I plan to drive the Santa Fe at least 10 yrs and I put on about 17,500 miles/yr commuting to work. I especially appreciate the very comfy heated leather seats, which makes my commute a joy, along w/ the awesome stereo!

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  Good little car - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Phil - September 16 - 1:17 pm

  I got my Accent in May 2006 as a replacement car after I wrecked my cheap (price-wise) Aveo and got about $4,000 insurance from it. I did not expect the interior quality and engine reliability to be so good for a cheap, 5 year old car with 85,000 miles on it. With the 5-speed manual, it is a fun, peppy little car to drive and it delivers exceptional gas mileage. I average from 34-38 mpg combined city and highway driving. I never have any problems with the car. The only thing I notice is the brakes are kind of lou and Ive even had them looked at, but it doesnt really bother me that much because they still stop the car well. I would recommend it over any 2001 Cavalier or the equivalent

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  Hyundai warranty is a joke!! - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By KK - September 16 - 5:43 am

  At 69,000 miles, the transmission broke. They wouldnt pay for it, because, changing the fluid twice was not enough. Since I didnt also have it flushed, they wont pay for the repair! AAMCO repaired it for $2600 and assured me it had nothing to do with flushing. It was a part that went bad and he see it all the time because its the kind of transmission they use. Also,I had the dealer check my brakes a couple of time and they said theyre ok. Then a few months later tell me the whole cylinders were broke and they wont pay for it because its neglect!! Hyundai does not honor their warranty! Ill never buy a Hyundai again!

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  My Santa Fe - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By CSprinkle - September 16 - 3:36 am

  Really enjoy - fun to drive. Enought pep for the mountains but no V-8.

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  Great ride! - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By Vicky - September 16 - 12:55 am

  I just bought a 2017 Hyundai Sonata, and I love it! It has the back up camera, and the entertainment features I love. Very happy and satisfied with my purchase.

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  Great Vehicle! LOVE IT! - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Sandra Briggs - September 15 - 10:03 am

  This is the turn-around vehicle for Hyundai. Beautiful styling, features, comfort, quiet, refined ride and handling. Much nicer interior than the MDX or CX-9. Love that it takes regular fuel. The Ultimate package was worth every penny. The sound is fantastic and the stereo controls intuitive and very easy to use. Cannot say enough about this CUV! I am no longer a loyalist to the Japanese manufacturers...A Winner!

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  BEST MID SIZE SUV FOR THE MONEY - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By gary - September 15 - 9:23 am

  Being a auto tech for 20 plus I know what to look for, and after driving all in this class from acuras to toyotas we choose this, the only one complaint I have is rear isolation the rav 4 was better but the lack of gutless power of toys 4 banger I whent with the sante fe hands down bought the se fwd model, love it 24mpg average and almost as fast as my 66 skylark with a built motor go figure. offer invoice they will take it ask to see it, they will show you. traded in my 06 solara for this suv and I like it alot would never go back to a car.