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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  Satisfied - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bill in WV - December 17 - 10:00 am

  We love our 2002 Sonata LX. It would be hard to find a bette buy for the money. After a year we have no complaints.

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  I love my car! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By lizw - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Within the first year I drove accross country in this car and had a wonderful experience. Love it and will buy another one in a few years!

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  niccccceee - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By tomtibby - December 17 - 10:00 am

  great car fell in love when i first saw it. great new design sleek styling,great acceleration very fun to drive,new after market parts every day and i try to have them all.

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  Former Honda CRV Owner - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By sfb3 - December 16 - 6:00 am

  We had a 1998 Honda CRV and shopped many compact SUVs, the Hyundai Tucson had many more safety, comfort, and design features for the price than any other compact SUV. After having it for a couple of months we have not missed our Honda CRV, that we enjoyed for 7 years. The Tuscon is far more comfortable and easy to drive than the Honda. We keep saying "the Tucson is like a small luxury vehicle." Its comfortable, low wind and engine noise, and easy to drive. Fit and finish are top notch. Gas mileage could be better, we do not get the EPA listed on the sticker. Over all we could not be more pleased at this point. For a small SUV it draws a lot of attention from other drivers.

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  !!! MUST BUY !!! - 2014 Hyundai Elantra
  By M S - December 15 - 6:54 am

  I bought this car in 2014 with every accessory available. MPG has averaged 32.2 in city driving. Paint has held up well and so has the interior. Still looks brand new inside and out!! Miss my SUV so will be replacing this car with the 2016 Kia Sorento.

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Maureen Shea - December 14 - 8:10 pm

  This car is amazing for the price. have owned many from Jeeps to Hondas to Audi. This Sonate is smooth, its quiet and has great pickup. The interior is roomy and comfortable, the trunk is huge! Only concern is snow/ice - it is not as good as can be in those conditions.

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  I love my Huyndai... - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By robin - December 12 - 7:20 pm

  I was a Toyata girl for more than 14yrs.I decided to trade the 2000 mini van in for a small suv. The Highlander was my choice,however I saw the sante fe all over the road and heard of the great warrantee. I went for a test drive and the purchase was a no brainer.It drives great,looks good and is fun ,handles great in bad weather and best of all you get it all with affordable pricing.I never thought I would switch from Toyota,but I did and I am happy about it. Huyndai has come a long way. You get a lot for your buck....

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  overall rating - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mountymel - December 12 - 10:00 am

  just bought the car but really enjoy it. great overall features.

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  Oh what a feeling, Hyundai! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By iml8 - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Unbelievable. What a value. $13995 out the door! Leather interior, great sound system. Nice ammenities. Very good room. Lost its odd styling in 02, thank God. Dont buy another car until you drive this one! Lots of after market parts too.

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  Best Buy - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By James - December 11 - 4:06 am

  I bought the Sonata in December and although I have not driven it for too many miles I am totally convinced it was the best buy of all the mid size sedans I could have bought. Engine performance is excellent; acceleration is super and driving is quiet and responsive. Thus far I have not noticed any problems with the car as delivered.