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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  FirstImpressions - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By DailyCommuter - November 24 - 9:45 am

  Ive logged over 1200 miles on my new 2010 Elantra GLS within the past 3 weeks of ownership. Gas mileage in combined highway/city driving has averaged a respectable 32mpg. I think I did well on price, just under $16k including all taxes, freight, etc. The car has been solid, ride is quiet (much quieter than I anticipated from an economy car) and controlled. Engine has more than enough power to get you up and into expressway traffic. Car came with 3 months of XM radio included. So far, Im very happy with my purchase.

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  Mz J - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By MZ J - November 24 - 8:50 am

  I love it alot! Good value for the money!

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  AWESOME DRIVER AIDS - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jim Millet - November 23 - 8:18 pm

  Traded my 2013 Sonata SE in on this 2017 Sonata Limited 2.0T in order to take advantage of all the updated drive safety aids. The backup camera and blind spot detection are most appreciated. The driver seat memory feature is great and the seats are very comfortable. This car came outfitted with Michelin MXM tires which provide a quite ride with precise steering.

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  Still going after 5 years - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By KSierra - November 23 - 5:27 pm

  I got my Elantra just a little over 5 years ago and itÂ’s still going. I purchased the extended 100,000mi/10yr bumper to bumper warranty. IÂ’ve had to have my air bag sensors (both driver and passenger)and Kenwood CD player replaced. IÂ’ve also replaced my headlights a few times. DidnÂ’t have to pay for any of it! I leave my headlights on ALL the time so burning them out is to be expected. Over all IÂ’m am super happy with my Elantra. I drive between 20 and 30 miles every day on average and get great mileage. Maintenance is a little pricey (in for my 60k,today ouch!) but the dealership is reliable and friendly (same guys in the service department since I got my car!)

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  Fun to drive- great mpg! - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By HollyG - November 23 - 3:43 pm

  I purchased my Accent this summer, and am completely thrilled with my purchase! I changed careers, and now drive quite a bit, thus making the Accent a perfect fit. It fit my budget, and I ended up paying $11,000 for my little car. Since I drive into rural areas, I purchased the XM/MP3 package, and Im pleased with it- Ive not lost a signal yet! One thing that I miss however, is cruise control. It was not an option with the 5-speeds that were on the lot. I would imagine that Id get even better mileage with cruise. :)

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  Awesome car - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By SRG - November 23 - 12:55 pm

  I purchased my first new Hyundai and 2005, and love everything about it, including the price. I paid a bit over $14,000 for my 2010 Elantra Blue with the comfort package, and Im loving everything about it. It handles fairly well on the Highway, and the nice fabric seats are rather comfortable. The trunk is a decent size for a small vehicle and the back seat seems to have plenty of room, also. Finally, the stereo system is quite remarkable. I love the fact the XM radio is integrated (which I know is now the new trend). The stereo has good sound quality and it has iPod and USB ports.

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  Best purchase ever - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By The happy buyer - November 23 - 12:53 pm

  My wife and I bought this car 2 weeks ago and have never been more impressed with an up and coming car brand. Watch out Honda and Toyota, the new sonata is a phenominal car for the money and drives like a dream. The new body style competes and, in my opinion, looks even more sportier than the accord while serving a young families safety needs. I will definitly by another Hyundai, NO DOUBT.

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  Better than expected - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By W. Henry - November 22 - 7:01 pm

  4 months of usage and the first 4,737 miles used 122.75 gallons of gas for 38.59mpg and I had to round for the JD Powers survey so it rounded to 39mpg. Course, I only use the first quarter inch on the gas pedal and park behind the slow moving trucks on the freeway. I think this is the least expensive car sold in America and to get 39mpg--this car is a steal. My son thinks that Korea is building the best cars for the price just like the Japanese companies did when they first started. They are trying harder. Im not just comparing it to my last car, a 1981 Rabbit diesel, but also w rental cars such as the sporty Cadillac and a Mercedes that I owned in 1970. I didnt get AC.

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  Fantastic!! - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Don Eisenhuth - November 22 - 2:00 am

  This car attracted me from first git go.But was skeptical on first year car. BUT, Since I purchased it I dont regret it.The power is great {but not enough}. Recently owned an Acura Legend compared to that it is really close {except for the ride} The Tiburon is a little choppy and noisy on bad roads. The fuel mileage surprised me when I didnt hot dog it between 31 & 32 MPG around town 25 to 27. GREAT VEHICLE

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  Happy with my Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By nnewton - November 22 - 2:00 am

  One of the best values that I have recently had. Everything works fine and there have been no disapointments