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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  A great car to own and drive - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Robert Heinz - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I have been buying new and used cars for over 50 years and since this will be my last car I think, I really shopped the market from Caddy to KIA and all in between. No dealer could match the quality of this car and its price and above all the warrantee. The dealer was magnificant. Best buying experience in my entire life. Made contact on-line, a price "out the door" was quoted and thats the price I paid. No hassle, no going to see the manager, etc. Just a wonderful experience. The car speaks for itself My wife loves it too. Hyundai needs to blow its horn more, this car is the worlds best kept secret.

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  Great car - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By stefan willey - November 21 - 3:31 am

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  2007 Hyundai Sonata GLS - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Carl Schlegel - November 20 - 11:43 pm

  Weve been driving this vehicle for almost 10 months and have been quite happy with the ride and quality of the vehicle. I traded up from a 2005 Elantra for the simple reason that I needed a larger door opening due to recent knee replacement and mobility problems. The car is comfortable and quiet, especially compared to my daughters 2005 Camry which I consider a comparable car. I think I purchased the safest, most quiet riding, and best performing vehicle I could find in the price range, give or take $3- 4K. I would definetly buy another, or possibly the Sonata Hybrid when it becomes available. My only problem was with a dealer installed remote starting system that has to be reprogrammed.

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  brand new baby - 2016 Hyundai Accent
  By linda dixon - November 20 - 2:29 pm

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  NOT HAPPY!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By rmeyn - November 20 - 1:10 pm

  I travel 160 miles per day, mostly all highway, and I am getting 24/26 MPG vs. the 33 on the sticker and all Hyundais advertisments.I have a 6cyl 2000 Toyota Avalon with 100K miles, a much nicer and certainly more comfortable vehicle, it averages 27 MPG doing the same trip day in and day out. I was willing to sacrifice comfort for a promise of much better gas mileage. Not only am I disappointed in the mileage, the seating is very un-supportive. I realize that I am much bigger then many people however, my wife is an average sized women and she also dislikes the seating. Unfortunately, you dont find these things out when you take the car for a test drive

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  2006 Tucson - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Mare - November 19 - 4:13 pm

  Fun to drive and cute too. I am very happy I purchased this vehicle. I would definitely buy another one. She turns on a dime and very easy to maneuver. Shifts smooth and the clutch is real easy. LOVE the stereo and all the standard features. Excellent for the money! Cant wait for snow!

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  First Hyundai - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Patrick - November 19 - 7:06 am

  Have only had ownership for 5 days, but I am very pleased with the way the vehicle handles and rides..It is a very very good buy for the money. My wife and I both enjoy the vehicle. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone who asks.

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  Terrific value for the money - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By denka - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Saw it first at San Jose Auto Show 2001 and was dreaming of getting it since then. Very powerful engine. 5-speed automatic transmission with manual override. Roomy. Leather (heated front seats), CD-changer for $23500 (CA taxes included)? Whats not to like about it? Also, it is much fun to drive. Also, reliability is very good. No problems so far (knocking on wood). Friend of mine had to take his BMW for minor repairs three times in the same period of time.

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  My Sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By dap48 - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Great car, great warranty, a real value for the money. A great alternative to other higher priced exotic vehicles.

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  Excellent vehicle & great value - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mrb46 - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Excellent (so far) in all areas, but mileage could be better.