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 Car Ever - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Colin MacLean - April 15 - 4:56 pm

  This is the necest car I have ever owned, without the headaches.

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  Hyundai ..what a great suv - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rjwittmayer - April 15 - 1:30 pm

  Looks better than a honda crv and rides better to..When I drive my Hyundai people turn around and look. Best looking suv in its class and one of the best looking of all suvs.. My Santa Fe has great looks ..7 air bags 60 months 60,000 mile war.. 10 years 100 thousand mile war for the power train...what other company offer that,,,,,,,,,,,none... 3 years 36 months for paint 2 years 24 months battery 3 years on the tires..top that you cant

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  Secret is out.... - 2008 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Happy - April 15 - 12:40 pm

  I never thought in a million years that I would buy an SUV. I was considering a small car, like a Yaris for fuel economy, but when I actually took these little cars for a test drive, the novelty soon wore off! They just didnt seem safe to me. Sitting in the drivers seat of the Hyundai was a wonderful experience. I came for the value, and stayed for the seat warmer! The gas mileage listed is the same as my old Impala in the city, so I didnt lose there!

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  Cant beat the Elantra for the price! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Howard - April 14 - 3:50 pm

  Purchased for comute vehicle. Other cars; Corvette, GTO, GS430 & Denali so you see I expect a lot out of a car. The Elantra is a great performer, has a lot of standard equipment and good gas mileage for its class. If you have a lot of driving, want good performance at a very reasonable price do not overlook a Hyundai. The Elantra is a very easy driver and I highly recommend it!

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  No surprise - Korean vehicle done well!! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By hockeysignor - April 14 - 12:30 pm

  Now has over 5K miles. Still very tight (no squeaks/rattles). Still, very impressed with the build quality. I took a leap of faith and, so far, it has worn well. It drives/rides very smooth (especially w/passengers and at highway speeds). It has a full-size feel (more like a car than a truck, which makes sense since its based on the car platform - Sonata). Getting around 20 mpg w/3.5L engine (75% highway). One thing I have noticed, the climate control compressor is always engaged (unless you completely shut off the whole system). This is why mileage is not better. Maybe would add another 15% mpg (might be significant for some). All in all, if resale holds (which it has, so far), a very good value.

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  My first Korean car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Michael Davis - April 14 - 12:30 pm

  I have considered buying a Hyundai for many years. I am sorry that I took so long to do it. I am so impressed with my new Sonata, that I am considering going back and purchasing another new car with them. The Sonata blows the Toyota out of the water as far as standard features and the price difference is enough to make you switch brands. This is a great vehicle and it has enough amenities to make you change to Hyundais for life. The front seats are different to adjust until you get used to it. My sugggestion is to go with the power seat option.

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  WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By ChanD - April 11 - 10:00 am

  Well, I cant believe this car. I would NEVER have bought one if I didnt drive it myself(nor would I believe that this car is as good as a BMW, and it is better than the 3 series BMW by far).

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  1-Year Update - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By W Whicker - April 11 - 10:00 am

  Now have 13k on the GT and its still like new in every way. No mechanical (or any) problems so far. Its a great car at a great price. The hatch is good for hauling lots of stuff. Great fuel economy (25-26 mpg). Its a great value new or used!

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  Lov it - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By SantaFe Lover - April 11 - 10:00 am

  Sante Fe is an excellent choice. Test drove the Rav 4 and Vue and considered the CRV, but was most impressed by the Santa Fe. Nearly everything is standard, and has excellent warrenty

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  Love my new Santa Fe - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Teleman - April 11 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the 2wd 3.5 Gls liked the extra power,so far so good drives very smooth. A lot faster than the old van, need to watch my speed! Seems like a great car.