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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  2005 Tiberon - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By George Settle - January 13 - 9:46 am

  The Tiberon is a real pleasure to drive. It makes me feel like Im on the Indy 500 track. Its acceleration is great and corners like a go-cart. Its breaking distance is excellent. I am 68 years old and when Im driving my Tiberon, I feel Like Im 16, and behind the wheel of my dream car, the corvette. I have not checked out the top speed but Im sure it will do all I need on the highway. When I drive my Tiberon, heads turn. Many people have walked up to me in the car and asked what kind of cat is that? Its a beauty. I Love my Tiberon.

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  So far so good!! - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By mee924 - January 13 - 8:36 am

  Just purchased last week used, actually a rental. Still have balance of factory warranty. Like the comfort on the highway. Gas mileage nearly 30 seems good enough for the v6. Interior dash design is the lone dated item in my opinion, 09 addresses this. Cost was reason for my purchase as used was 5k less than 09.

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  Been good to us - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Romic - January 12 - 10:40 pm

  Purchased new in Sept. of 01 and overall have been very satisfied. We purchased the extended warranty for a very affordable price and has paid off for us. The 2.7 V6 has plenty of power for a vehicle as heavy as it is and fuel mileage is reasonable at 20 mpg. avg. We have had a few mechanical issues covered mostly under warranty. Both front axles cracked and were replaced, a strange squealing noise from the rear that the dealership fixed but seems to reappear from time to time, the rear hatch door handle release latch sticks in and the door will not latch shut if you dont pull it out by hand. Radio goes on and off itself. This SUV is GREAT in snow with full time 4wd. Were keeping it

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  Good car for the money - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By chrisclocher - January 11 - 11:09 am

  I would recommend this car to anyone looking for cheap transportation. I have not had any trouble with this car since the day I bought it. I would like to see Hyundai add more insulation though because the ride can get a little noisy without the radio on.

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  Best in class - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dman - January 11 - 12:20 am

  I bought the car with 56,000 miles on it. The miles are all highway miles as the guy drove it to work everyday. Bought right after he traded it in. Now it has 59,000 and I had no problems whatsoever even though it had been used heavily. Im sure itll last me way above 100k especially considering its a 2003.

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  Great Value - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Andy - January 9 - 3:06 am

  I traded my Toyota Sienna for the Entourage. I thought Id end up with a Honda, but the Entourage offered better amenities at a better price. I dont generally but a car in the first model year, but the build quality seems excellent and I have had no problems. Engine has punch, brakes are excellent, safety features top drawer. I have no regrets.

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  My Hyudai Tiberon (2000) - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By 2000 Hyundai Tiberon - January 8 - 9:50 pm

  I have not once had repairs done to this car in the 7 years I own it. I still even have the original battery. I only replaced tires, but do get an oil change every 3,000 miles. It is the greatest little car I ever had.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ed - January 8 - 10:46 am

  Love this car. Has room everywhere and all the goodies and safety features of the higher priced cars. Hyundai should receive an award for the efforts they put into this 06 Sonata. This is an import even though it is made in Alabama.

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  Clean Ride - 2017 Hyundai Azera
  By Michael Blumenthal - January 7 - 10:22 pm

  Compare

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  Quality and Reliability - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By hollstmt - January 7 - 3:45 pm

  I bought this car for my wife and we both love it. After 2 years and 30k miles it still runs terrific and has never had a single problem. This is a well built and very reliable car. Its unfortunate the resale value doesnt reflect the quality but is good deal if youre looking for a used Sonata.