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 - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By Bob S. - June 5 - 5:36 am

  No way does this car cost only $20,000 new. Best luxury car I have ever owned. I loved my maxima, put 170,000 miles on it, but this is just as comfortable at much less the cost and at 98,000 miles only routine maintance.

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  Glad I bought it - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By larry - June 5 - 12:10 am

  I bought this car as a replacement for our gas guzzling minivan. The biggest draw was the standard safety features. My wife and I looked at the competitors, none of them offered comparable equipment for anywhere near the same price point. The engine is strong and works well with the 5 speed auto transmission and while the handling may not be a best in class sports sedan it certainly is acceptable for my everyday driving needs. I have owned an accord and still own a camry, both are good cars but this is the first hyundai I ever considered buying and so far I think its worth it. I would recommend this car to others.

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  Lovin It! - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By NewSantaFeOwner - June 2 - 6:20 am

  Just bought my new Santa Fe after months of searching. I have been a faithful Dodge owner for decades, but decided to try the foreign route. So far Ive not been disappointed! This is a great car though much bigger than my 2007 Dodge Caliber that I traded in! Very comfortable ride and features. I did give up great MPGs (from 32 in Caliber to 22 on Santa Fe), but this is AWD and much roomier for my growing family! Great power on the V6 and quiet ride. This so far is a great car.

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  Try It Youll Like It - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Gray panther - June 1 - 11:16 pm

  After retiring I decided to get a car with many amenities, good performance, attractive and lower cost. I selected the Hyundai XG350L and I am most satisfied. After driving a Japanese luxury car for 10 years, I was very reluctant. Certainly there are some trade offs but nothing like I was led to believe or expected. I am now traveling with the savings.

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  Oh Yeah - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By KennyMac - June 1 - 6:46 pm

  Incredible car. We just love it. Handles like a dream, and room for plenty of sets of golf clubs in the roomy trunk. And lets face it people, the car looks sexy. I think the Accord and Camry folks better keep an eye on their rear view mirror cause the Sonata has the pedal to the metal and is passing fast.

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  Big Value Car - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By MEK - May 31 - 3:23 pm

  Purchased summer 2014 and was last 2013 on the lot. Bought it for $7K off sticker. Has everything I wanted equipment-wise. Nearly 40K miles now with absolutely no trouble. Only drawbacks are marginal power and some road noise at freeway speed. Not one rattle so far. All electronics, including navigation and upgraded stereo, have been flawless. When I calculate mpg, it has been 1-2 less than advertised, but I do drive faster than 65 on the freeway by 5-10 mph. Im about ready to replace OEM tires which have been OK, but likely wont get the same brand---Hankook. All in all I have absolutely no complaints. If still true in another 40K miles I would say its one of the best new cars Ive purchased. Most of them have been Toyota Camrys.

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  best car ever - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By parker1409 - May 31 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the finest cars i have ever had&and at a great price!

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  Quality - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By 58990173 - May 31 - 10:00 am

  Best for the money

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  I Love My Hyundai - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By santa fe lover - May 31 - 10:00 am

  Ever since I saw the Santa Fe at the 2002 Chicago Auto Show, I wanted one. I just love the way it looks, small but sturdy. Some of the other small SUVs look like go garts, but the Santa Fe has substance. I drive about 55 miles a day and Im impressed with the gas mileage that I get. I get stopped all the time by people wanting to know how I like it. I have only had it a short time, but I hope it continues to perform the way it does now and I will have it for a very long time. Something that I cant say about the Grand Cherokee and Durango that I used to own.

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  Just pased 15k.... - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By pa commuter - May 31 - 10:00 am

  No real problems so far, auto transmission is great performer, leather is nice, still has new car smell. Nut holding on read spoiler fell off.