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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  lot of car for the money, well worth it - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By ghostt - October 6 - 10:00 am

  the shiftronic makes up for a slight lag in power, besides an economy sedan wouldnt be economical if it burned too much gas. It also give the car a more sporty feel. The sound systems quite good considering everything alls factory. Overall it looks good and drives good. By the way did i mention theyre 4 airbags, standard.

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  its been a pleasure... - 1997 Hyundai Accent
  By oh-one - October 6 - 2:00 am

  My 97 accent manual hatchback L has babied me more than my mother. i owned good ole L-Swift Mckay from mile zero to mile 103,000. i reluctantly gave him up after 4yrs and 10mos of unadulterated dependability and perseverance.

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  THE BEST NON BIAS OPINION ON THE MARKET - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By MIKE THE MACHANIC - October 6 - 2:00 am

  I AM A VOLKSWAGEN MECHANIC(27 YEARS), AND I LOVE GERMAN EGINEERING, HOWEVER VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND QUALITY HAS BEEN LAGGING FOR SOME TIME NOW. HYUNDAI ON THE OTHER HAND DEFIES THE LAWS OF PHISICS. MY CAR IS THE BEST INVESTMENT I HAVE EVER MADE. IT ACTUALLY APRECIATED IN PRICE THIS YEAR. THE CAR IS TO GOOD!! FOR TO LITTLE PRICE. HYUNDAI WAKE UP AND SELL YOUR ACCENT FOR $5000 MORE MARK UP AND START MAKING SOME REAL MONEY. PEOPLE WILL BUY YOUR GOOD QUALITY NOW!!

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  Great Car - Great Price - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By midas69 - October 5 - 8:03 pm

  It took an awful lot for me to ever consider buying a Hyundai. But this car offers so much value for the money that it was impossible to ignore. Finding another car with the same feature set would have cost $3K more at minimum. But it wasnt until I actually drove the car that I realized that even spending more wasnt going to get me a better car. I went in expecting to have to settle for a Hyundai. I walked out convinced it was the best car in its class regardless of price.

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  If youre ready for a pleasant change - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By SYK - October 4 - 2:23 pm

  Very satisfied with the performance since purchasing the 2011 Sonata 3 months ago and the feeling is not wearing off. Strangers have approached my car to check out the vehicle design or the "buzz" about the new Sonata. I absolutely recommend others to own/lease one or at least take a test drive before deciding on which car to choose in its class. Your decision will be simple after the test drive as it was for me. If youre looking for a change, 2011 Sonata is the choice. Shh! (I prefer driving my Sonata over my dads LS300.) Great job Hyundai!

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  Unbelievable - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By david vogt - October 4 - 10:00 am

  I have owned a lot of cars over the years, Chevy, Cadillac, Mercedes, Jaguar, Ford, Mercury, Chrysler, Dodge, Audi, Subaru and now a Hyundai. I was looking for a car for my daughter, happened to stop in and look at the compact Hyundais, walked into the showroom and there it was, a red 2011 Hyundai sonata limited. The next day after work the wife and I went to the dealer to test drive a limited, told them to work up a price for me on the red one in showroom. We came back after both driving the other car looked at each other and said well take the red one! After a short test drive in the red one back to the dealer to finish deal. Now after 1500 mi everything is wonderful! Very good bang for the buck!

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  Cool little car. - 1999 Hyundai Accent
  By Brian Sherman - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Absolutly love my 19990Accent. Nice tight suspension around corners, very zippy 5 speed and very comfortable. Did I mention the awesome gas mileage? Recommend!

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  Driver Comfort - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By David Statum - October 3 - 4:00 am

  I looked at the entire SUV market with the main goal being driver comfort. I suffer from low back pain daily and the Tucson seat was perfect. The added ease of controls complimented the seat. The vehicle handles great, is easy and fun to drive. The warranty cannot be ignored, and the dealership was very helpful. This has been my best purchase of a vehicle in 20 yrs.

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  The Best Ever - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By spark - October 3 - 2:50 am

  I rent a Santa Fe. I loved it. I returned it. And I BOUGHT it!. It runs smooth and quiet. It has many functions.

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  Amazing for the Money - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mike - October 2 - 7:33 pm

  Just bought my 2007 Sonata SE and so far am very pleased. My family likes the space and comfort. I went for the 6cyl and am glad! So far the gas mileage is showing about 25mpg in mixed driving which is very good. Mine was one of the last 07 Sonatas on the lot and the dealership gave me a great deal - Ive never had a more painless experience and Ive bought a lot of cars.