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 - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Christopher - April 14 - 11:56 am

  I was surprised to read today that Consumer reports determined that this car would have poor reliability. I hope that is not true and would love to know more on what they are basing this.

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  Best value for my money! - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By H20 - April 14 - 7:16 am

  Bought it brand new. Hyundai was first to back up their vehicles with a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty and after owning one for 6 years and putting on over 100,000 trouble free miles on mine I would highly recommend this car to anyone looking for value. Built very well and durable. Showed it to my neighbor and he bought one! I like all the many features of this car. In fact, I would refer to it as a "Poor mans Mercedes" to my friends! Always got compliments on the style and color. Dealership was always a pleasant experience. (How many others can say that!)

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  XG350L - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By therron - April 14 - 12:26 am

  We brought the XG in July of 06. It had 7200 miles on it at that time. I am proud to say at 90,000 miles it still runs like a champ. I havent had a major tune up since we got the car other than the regular oil and transmission changes. It get 450 miles to the tank hwy miles and about 26 miles in the city at 87 octane. Weve driven it from Oklahoma to Florida and back with not problems. I would truely recommend the XG350L to anyone whos looking for style and comfort at an affordable price. We got it at just over 19,000...

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  Very satisfied Sonata buyer - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By brian - April 13 - 1:13 pm

  Sonata handles very well. Love the new styling, but....liked the previous genration of Sonata better. The exterior was very distinctive. The new model looks almost too much like the Accord. Have owned the car over six months and have put aver 16K in miles on it with no problems. Very pleased. Have recommended friends at least to chekc them out while shopping.

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  "LOVE THIS CAR" - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By galyean - April 12 - 3:53 pm

  My wife researched and sort out this car. Weve always bought Chrysler products (still do) but this is a car that has impressed both of us. It seems more like a Lexus to us with all of the accesories that are standard on this vehicle. We are impressed with this car.

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  The Genesis a GS 460 for a 1/2 of the $ - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Pierre Boucher - April 12 - 2:33 am

  This is a beautifully made car that is going to put the Europeans and the Japaneses automakers to shame. A car with this much for so little. Thank you Hyundai you made a luxury car that I can afford.

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  Best SUV Deal Going - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By St. Louis - April 12 - 2:00 am

  We were pleasantly surprised to find such a stylish SUV available, and even more surprised to learn that it cost less than $20K! Its the quietest and smoothest-riding car weve had the pleasure to own. Our gas mileage has been between 25 and 30 MPG, which is phenomenal for SUVs. In short, were delighted, and we may well buy another Hyundai very soon.

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  Not Great in the Snow - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Neil M. - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Drove the Santa Fe at the start of the East Coast Prez Day 2003 blizzard and in the aftermath. It was slipping and sliding in just a few inches of snow/slush. Had a lot of trouble going up small grades in the mess, too. I expected the Santa Fe to grab/grip the road better than it was doing. It just seemed to be skating along and not plowing through. I know, I know. I didnt get the All Wheel Drive version or a six-cylinder so I should be happy with what I have. My previous driving experience was with a 5-speed Protege and a 5-speed Camry. Anyway, maybe I had too high expectations for my familys "Blue Catfish on Wheels."

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  Look Out Honda and Toyota! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jeff Bloedel - April 11 - 12:36 pm

  Ive only had the car for a week and Im in love with it. It rides great on the highway and has all the bells and whistles you would find on the more "expensive" competitors. For the price, warranty, and features it cant be beat!

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  11 Sonata - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Teacher Jim - April 11 - 11:50 am

  I was a muscle car person for years, and the practical side of buying with my head vs. buying with my heart led me to the new 2011 Sonata. Even though I have only had the car for a few days, I am EXTREMELY impressed with every aspect of this vehicle. I could always judge how fast I was going with my Mustang GT by feel and manual transmission, but I am going to have to watch my speed in the new Sonata based on how smooth it shirts and the impressive ride. Hats off to the redesign and all the new features.