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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  Couldnt be happier! - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By suzieq57 - February 21 - 4:26 pm

  Ive had my 2012 Hybrid Sonata (premium trim - the $32,000 vehicle) for 1 month now. Great car. Ive been getting at least 41 mpg average on both mixed city and highway driving. I dont have any problems with breaking or the shifting from electric to gas like Ive seen some reviews here say. Did I say great car? Im so happy that I bought it. I have the metallic blue, premium hybrid. The design outside is to die for - Ive had so many compliments. It is roomy inside and very comfortable. I cant say enough about it. I love the panoramic sunroof, the navigation, the Blue link, and of course the wheels. Very sharp car.

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  Wonder Car - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By mig - February 19 - 8:40 pm

  This car is nice looking, has all features I like, is nice to drive, has 6 cylinders.

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  She thinks its sexy - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Dan - February 19 - 2:10 am

  I bought this car from a private seller. It is a 04 2dr coupe. I was optimistic about the whole 4cyl but it runs great for one. Great gas mileage compared to the pickup I was driving. Ive had a ton of compliments since owning it for one week. Its very sleek and runs smooth.

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  I love my Hyundai Sonata! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Anne Short - February 18 - 10:00 am

  I have only had my Hyundai for 11 months, but I really enjoy driving it. The price was right. (I was looking for a nice car that I could afford to pay cash for, and the Hyundai fit the bill. So far I am completely happy with my Sonata.

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  Great Car, 2nd Review - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By bdemick - February 17 - 7:33 pm

  I have owned the vehicle for 9 months & 16,000 mi. and it is still a great car! No problems, great ride & handling, good performance from the 4 cyl. engine and on highway trips over 37 mpg! Love all the standard features and a warranty that shames Toyota & Honda and many more. If all the vehicles in its class cost the same Id still pick the Sonata. What a bonus that its thousands less!!

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  Love my car - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By cringle - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I thought after driving an SUV I would never go back to a car. When I saw the XG 350, it was love at first sight. Then when I saw all the features and the comfort of driving it, the deal was sealed. No more fussing with my seat because my seat position is in memory. I also like the benefit of having a cassette and CD player. The car has great pickup and the mileage is somewhat better than the Escape but at leat the gas tank has a larger capacity. The XG 350 has a look and feel of luxury, especially when you sit in one of the front heated leather seats. All the controls are right where you would expect them to be.

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  The best on the Market - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By bmyers - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I have been looking for over a year for a neew car. Always said I would not buy a foreign car. Well never say never, This Sonata is the greatest deal out there. Did my research on it and got it $3,000 below sticker price.The standard equipment is optional with all others.LOVE IT.

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  Grateful We Shopped Around - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By piniquim - February 16 - 10:00 am

  We thought the RAV4 was too expensive for what you got. Base price was OK, but very limited standard equipment. Everything was an option and before you knew it you were in the $23-25,000 range totally outfitted. We looked at the total market small SUVs (KIA, Ford Escort, Jeep Liberty, Chevy Tracker, Nissan CRV, Mazda Tribute, etc.) and the only runner-up to the Sante Fe we found was the Mazda Tribute. I am glad we did an extensive comparision because price-wise the Sante Fe offers more options for less money.

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  Proud Elantra Owner - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By sarah - February 16 - 10:00 am

  I really love my Hyundai Elantra. As I found when researching to purchase a car when you go with a Hyundai vehicle you get a lot more for your money and the warranty is unbeatable. I am a proud Hyundai owner!!!

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  Love my Elantra! - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By FranfromFL - February 15 - 2:33 pm

  I bought my 2007 Elantra in December. I dont have a lot of miles on it yet, but so far I love it. I have been looking for other 2007 Elantras on the road but so far I havent seen any. I am not sure why that is. I would highly recommend this car to anyone looking for a great mid-size sedan for under $20,000.