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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  Wow, I got the dream car... - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Happy In LaVerne - July 21 - 11:26 pm

  Perhaps I ended up buying the exception to the rule, but I couldnt be happier. 2WD, gets 23 mpg with a 6cyl engine, beefy enough that I feel I could survive an accident, yet small enough to fit into a compact parking space. Hit the accelerator hard, and it takes a good moment to get up to speed, but once there, purrs like a kitten. Really roomy back seats, handy liftback with window opening, plus enough 12v plugs to keep everyones gizmo charged and running. There are some little bugs - the back ashtray/catchall and cup holder has decided to give up the ghost, but the heaters nice and toasty, and the heated mirrors mean I can see whats around me.

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  Watch out Audi - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By chip59 - July 21 - 10:20 pm

  Up-to-date styling, strong performance, build quality on par with Honda, great ride and handling. The car is amazingly quiet, too. Add in all the creature features like side curtain airbags, stability and traction control, auto climate control, heated seats and so on, and its an unbeatable value. Loaded to the gills, its still under 25K. Equip a Camry, Accord or Audi A4 the same way and youre in for sticker shock. Throw in the 100,000 mile warranty and its a great deal!

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  Toyota, Honda and Chevy Killer - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hyundai is Great - July 21 - 4:07 pm

  I was on a budget with this car so did a ton of research. It really is true that there is no car out there on the market that you can get for the price of one of these with all of the features. It drives extremely smoothly at least up to 85 mph (havent gone over that), better than my last cars v6 (1992 pont. grand am). Many hidden goodies too like rear cup holders that pop out of the seat, automatic lights off, adjustable lumbar support and heated mirrors to mention a few. I got the one with the moonroof/abs/traction control for a little above $14000--cant beat it. Buy one before the new elantras come out, there will surely be a large price hike in the new ones with same features!

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  Hundya Sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By paulweeks - July 21 - 2:00 am

  The Sonata is a luxury car and is the finest vehicle that I personally have owned. The first hyundia that my wife and I owned was a accent. Both of these cars are in a class of there own. If I would have bought a similar car I would have spent thousands more. The next car that I buy will also be a hyundia. They are worth everything.

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  Pleasant surprise - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By skr3100 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I have to admit I had my doubts, but this suv has surpassed all expectations. It is a real pleasure driving this vehicle, especially since I traded in my old car and got this suv.

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  Hyundai Sante Fe Rocks - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By pablito - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Great comfortable fun to drive SUV. Great handling in all weather. Needs better gas mileage. Car has unique distinctive look

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  LOVE IT - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By joepgh - July 21 - 2:00 am

  The best SUV on the market for the money, who needs 4wd, when the frt wheel drive is just as good in snow & ice.

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  love my hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By marla - July 21 - 2:00 am

  i was so excited to get my first new car in 30 years and i couldnt have made a better choice and the price is perfect so many standard features helped me make the decision. I picked arctic blue because everyone has silver and the color is getting old,at least i can find mine in a sea of silver at the mall. i love the stereo system.the ride is smooth not bumpy like my brothers jeep liberty,even he agreed.and wished he had checked into the sante fe before he had puchased his liberty. and thats why i love my hyundai!!!!!!!!

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  A TEACHERS REVIEW - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Danney Fairman - July 20 - 10:00 am

  I have had this vehicle for over a year now and I am continually impressed with the comfort and the styling of the Santa Fe. The ride and space is a major plus. We have taken several trips and neither my back nor anyone else is in discomfort after a long ride. With the warrenty ther is alot of peace of mind. I would definately but another one and HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT

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  Im Impressed - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By shazdaddy - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Im glad I did my homework. I have owned several cars and trucks and this is by far the best for the money. love the midnight gray color. Very responsive and agile. Perfect for small family on a budget.