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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  2010 Tuscon Limited - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Terrie - May 25 - 6:06 am

  This car drives like dream. The inside is fully loaded and the outside looks like a car that could cost more then 10k what we purchased for the car. The car is beautiful!! Best car we have owned better than any Toyota we have owned for the last 17 years.

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  Love My Tib - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By dlehman - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I often wondered why only high-priced vehicles had the little extras that made you take notice --- that made you say "Ooooh! Nice!! What is this?" Why wouldnt an automaker offer some of the same "luxuries" to the average consumer? I had reached the point where a vehicle was purely utilitarian. Then - -- I found the Hyundai Tiburon! And now I love driving again! I am sooooo impressed with the quality, styling and details in this car. Hyundai gives you a great bang for your buck! It looks good - it feels good! Its fun to drive! And at a price I can afford! (The admiring looks and comments are pretty nice too!)

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  Great Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By pappy - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Great car, Very glad we bought it.

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  Best car for the money! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By tjjazz - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has many pleasant surprises! It is fun to drive, has decent engine performance, good gas mileage and is exceptionally comfortable. The engineers that designed this one were really thinking! The comparable vehicles dont even offer the options that are standard equipment with this one. I appreciate the many, many standard features.

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  Great car great price - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By jeff329 - May 25 - 1:33 am

  I purcased my new Sonata to replace my 06 Elantra that I totaled in an accident. I decided for more room and comfort and would never consider anything but a Hyundai. The ride is comfortable and there is so much room. The dealership is great I can not say enough about the whole Hyundai experience quality and price all rolled into one.

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  Great Car-Unbelievable Value - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Preston Steenhoek - May 24 - 7:00 am

  I drove Jaguars for 18 years before I bought this Azera. I am totally pleased with my decision. The Azera has everything I want at a great price without sacrificing anything. It looks and drives great,has plenty of power and is quiet. Fit and finish are outstanding. It is loaded with features;a great find when compared with much more expensive cars.

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  My new Tucson - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Roger - May 23 - 5:53 pm

  Overall, I am very pleased with the Tucson. This is the 4th Hyundai I have purchased new. I like the interior and exterior styling. The sound system is above average.

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  A+ Auto - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Happy Ownner - May 23 - 12:13 am

  Our first Hyundai--bought it after reading great reviews in the press-- had rented one for two weeks of driving and became convinced we wanted one. Great value! Service at our dealership has been fabulous--and we had an oil change at a dealership while on travel--and again, great service. Weve had lots of helpful follow-up from Roseville Hyundai--we even drive the hour to take it there for service.

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  I never thought Id own a Hyundai! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Kim & Matthew - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I got a big dog and decided I needed an SUV again but not a big one like I had before (A big Montero which drove like a truck). I was giving up my Infiniti I-30 which I loved so this vehichle had to be good looking and fun to drive. I love this vehichle. Its even better than I had hoped for or expected. My dog loves all the cargo space and my kids seem very comfortable too in the rear seat.

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  Worth Driving - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By BCAVY - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Do not give up on trying to get at dealer invoice everyone. I actually paid $400 below dealer invoice and also had a wonderful experience at my dealership. I researched over 6 months on my next vehicle and also drove over 30 different SUVs "I love cars" and be far the Hyundai at this price range was the best! The only other driving SUV that I liked was the Trailblazer. Good look with your efforts and remember that it is worth the drive to go test drive a Sante Fe