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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  my santa fe - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By willieh111 - August 21 - 10:00 am

  My Santa Fe a very well built automobile just love it.Im 64" tall and Im very comfortable on the front or back seats.

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  Nice first SUV - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By dengxiaoping - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Theres a lot of std equipment on this car(including side airbag) and its build solidly and tightly. I am satisfied with this car even though I had quite a few trip back to dealer to fix the engine computer that refuse to behave. Its fuel comsumption is on the low side even for SUV.

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  It Rocks - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Agnomen - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I compared this to the Nissan Sentra, Mazda Protoge5, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Chrysler Neon, and others. Nothing even came close in terms of value for the money. I have only had the car for a few days, but so far, Im very pleased.

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  2003 Elantra GLC - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By jfoote - August 21 - 10:00 am

  2000 miles and enjoying car. Mileage is great but not excelent, handles well, nicely equipted for price. Only question is what resell will be in a few years. Recommended for price/value, ride, warranty.

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  One year later - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Mike - August 20 - 10:40 am

  OK its been one year that Ive had my Elantra Touring. Still cant believe what a great car you get for the money. When I first purchased this car, I had long highway commute to work(42 miles). Recently moved to new closer location (13 miles) with city driving now. Still an amazing ride and very comfortable. Good gas mileage...27 mpg vs 31 mpg with highway driving. Even thinking of trading in our other car, Toyota Sienna for the Hyundai Veracruz!

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  Love this Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Genjuro Hibagami - August 19 - 2:40 pm

  I did not expect such excellent quality from Hyundai. Well this one runs like a Lexus LS350. The top two Japanese brands such as Honda and Toyota won their high reputation over the past couple decades. I think Hyundai will achieve the same high reputation within the next two years.

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  Hyundais have really improved - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Grayson Albers - August 18 - 6:56 am

  I love it. Its well-built, fun to drive, and is my favorite car ever. It is the most outstanding car Hyundai has ever built.

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  Bumps along the road. - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Peter - August 18 - 2:56 am

  After looking at the Sonata, Camary, Accord and Malibu on paper the Sonata appeared to be the best bang for the buck. Little did I realize that the bang would be felt over every bump in the road. There is a bad engineering flaw with the suspension of these cars. I do not know how anyone could be satisfied with the ride of a Sonata. I wish I had taken a longer test drive. I am stuck with a car that sounds like the shocks bottom out over every little bump in the rode.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By CWS - August 18 - 12:32 am

  We have 4 kids, so money is always a consideration. I needed a reliable car for a fair price, and this car is IT. Transferable warranty (6 years) was a big selling feature. Its quiet, fairly quick, and handles well. Hyundai will always be a make to consider for me in the future.

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  8,000 miles on my 2005 Sonata - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lizz - August 17 - 10:30 pm

  I just turned 8,000 miles on my new Sonata (bought new) & still the best car available in my book. NO problems even through a tough slippery winter -- ABS & TRC pulled me through with flying colors! I love the sleek design -- everyone thinks its one classy-looking vehicle. One friend summed it up by saying, "Wow... you can go ANYWHERE in a car like that!" Its true. Weve driven across three states & the car is very comfortable. Love the back seat armrest & three seat belts, huge trunk, plush interior & fun driving. A/C cranks up fast, too! Classy black with beige interior, even in 90 degree heat its not unbearably hot inside. Kids fit in the back, even my 16 year old son & his girlfriend.