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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  *Best BANG for the BUCK* - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Wiggy - April 28 - 5:36 am

  I loved my 1999 Sonata GLS with the best backed warranty Ive ever experienced. No song and dance or smoke and mirrors. Id had with U.S. cars over forty years. With Hyundai its covered, no questions asked. And with the incentives on the 2005s I just couldnt say no to the beautiful LX. The new styling and improved engineering are a real delight at about the same price I paid six years ago. Way To Go Hyundai*****

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  The Best CAR EVER!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Michael Park - April 27 - 12:16 pm

  This was the best car ever!

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  Like my Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ron C - April 27 - 8:56 am

  Enjoy driving and the looks of my new Sonata.

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  Yuk! - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By brando - April 26 - 5:06 pm

  I bought the 2010 ix35 thinking it would blow my mind like the reviews say but I must say am disappointed. The car came with just two airbags and wait for it, A 4 SPEED TRANNY. The ride is rough, at idle and on the high way. Depress the accelerator and the car lags before picking up. Own a sonata 2.0 which is sluggish. will not buy another Hyundai

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  Good, small SUV - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By TerpFan - April 26 - 3:20 pm

  Maybe the biggest of the small SUVs. Roomy but easy to manuver. Plenty of room with the back seat folded down for carrying cargo.

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  Sonata - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Weldon - April 25 - 12:36 pm

  Fun to drive. Handles well around town. Smooth drive on the highway. Has a classy look from outside. Very reliable.

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  nbm - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By supperman - April 25 - 2:00 am

  The car is great for the money it drives wonderful and it is fast.

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  A Dependable, Comfortable Little Car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By BosMa25 - April 25 - 2:00 am

  Im coming into this 02 Elantra GLS from a 97 Accord LX. I dont know why people think that Honda is one of the best. Iv had NOTHING but problems with mine... Iv had absolutely NO trouble with the Elantra.But "eeww a Hyundai" I think to myself.. I still think Excel.( Had 3 of them..) HYUNDAI HAS CHANGED. The Elantra PROVES it. Its built very tightly, and very quite ride. Excellent attention to detail. Better than Civic, Sentras in many ways. Its roomy. Styling is original. Its not hard to look at. But its not "cute." Overall I like this car a lot.. Root for the underdog!... Go Hyundai.. =)

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  I love my car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Nistal - April 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is the better deal I ever had for what I am paying. Never had a problem, very economic and fun to drive.

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  Tucson Review - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By dafcpa - April 24 - 9:10 pm

  This is a good looking, comfortable and well performing car. It doesnt hurt that it gets good mileage.