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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  Dont let the name fool you! - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By In MA - February 11 - 3:13 pm

  We purchased this car in September of 2003 when it just came out and have been completely thrilled with it. All our friends drive Mercedes but we feel so proud of our car because we paid so much less than they did. For those of who you hesitate to buy this car because its a Hyundai - dont! Youll feel good knowing you purchased a luxary car for the best price.

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  Great Value for the Money - 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By Lori Menicos - February 11 - 8:35 am

  I traded in a 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE for this 2016 Sonata Hybrid Limited. I liked my Toyota but I love this Sonata Hybrid! It has features of higher end cars (ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof, etc). It rides almost like a luxury car and Im getting 44 MPG around town and Ive only had it a week. Its fun to drive too and has plenty of pickup. It was a great value for the price. I looked at and test drove a 2017 Camry Hybrid and a 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid but the Sonata won out due to the price, features and handling.

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  Truly a Life saver! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Casey - February 10 - 8:36 am

  I just finished totaling my 2006 Hyundai. I smashed into another car driving about 45 mph after that car ran a red light. Thanks to my Hyundai, which we bought based on safety ratings, I walked out of the car. The other person is still in the hospital. The specialized seats that prevent whiplash work like a charm - no symptoms at all! This car did a great job and I am set to buy another Hyundai soon. As a Physical Therapist, I see a lot of MVA injuries. I am so thankful that I had this car and didnt become a patient myself!

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  Best Mid-Size SUV in the market! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Carlos - February 9 - 4:46 am

  I have been a loyal Hyundai owner since 1993. My first Hyundai was the hatchback excell in 93, then newly intriduced Elantra in 94, another Elantra in 99 and now the newly redesigned 2007 Santa Fe. I LOVE IT. I still have the 99 Elentra, and with over 117K miles it is still going strong. I have no complaints about the Santa Fe and my friends thought it was a lexus when I first showed it to them. It is very stylish, and well put together. Kudos to Hyundai and their team.

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  Great Car for $10k - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Mark Snell - February 9 - 2:00 am

  Nothing bad to say. Love the car. It serves its purpose beautifully.

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  Not a Benz, but ... - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Irene - February 9 - 1:36 am

  I have an older Mercedes E320 which is awesome, and my quality benchmark. While no Benz, my Santa Fe is a nice, reliable, comfortable vehicle. I needed a grocery, Home Depot, chauffeur the relatives, transport the dogs vehicle. This fulfills it way past my expectations. The mileage could be better, but hey! it uses Regular! The suspension is a little mushy, but thats my only complaint. While not exactly launching off the line when the light turns green, the 2.7 is more than adequate for my needs.

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  Real Worth for your hard-earned money - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lakshmi Naarayanan R - February 8 - 11:46 am

  I had shortlisted the Mercedes C300 Sport, Acura TSX 09 and Infiniti G35 for my new car purchase. I never ever thought of going for a Hyundai. I just wanted to test-drive a Sonata and I was quite pleasantly surprised with the ride quality, interiors etc. I paid close to 18,900 for my 09 Sonata and after taxes etc, it was still 12K cheaper than TSX 09 after tax. For my day-to-day office commute and occasional long drive, this car was ideal. In the extra money I saved, I could make my house more comfortable, than showing off with a piece of machinery I use maybe an hour every day. The rated mileage is 21/31 city/highway. But I got 35 mpg on highway on my recent trip and get 25 mpg in city.

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  DONT Buy a 2013 Veloster Turbo - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By Rob - February 8 - 6:10 am

  I love the Veloster Turbo. Best value in the warm hatch market. Competes with civic SI, mini S, Fiesta ST. That said dont buy the 2013 model! Buy an 2014 or higher It has fatal flaws in the motor that are regularly causing massive engine failures. If your under warranty it will be covered as long as its not modded. If you do get a 2013, make sure the sparkplugs are upgraded, the ECU updated and the Fuel like Recall completed. I advise consulting an automotive forum for more detials.

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  Move over Toyota - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Louyer - February 7 - 6:36 pm

  Owned a Lexus SC and GS 400. This car has the same features for thousands less. But still emits quality, fit and finish like the Lexus. I am a "bells and whistles" guy and this has so many for the price. Plus of course the 10 yr/100k warranty shows me Hyundai has confidence in its vehicles. I just dont know where else for under $30k you get 265 HP, 8 airbags, 17" wheels, Michelin tires, a fullsized spare tire with alloy wheel, quality leather, premium stereo with 6 disc CD changer, ABS, traction control etc. I also, as a bigger guy, cannot get over the leg room and tremendous head room and the huge, deep trunk. These guys are going to give Toyota and Honda headaches.

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  Smooth transmission - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mhtn - February 7 - 10:06 am

  Excellent car. Ride is very smooth and quiet. Love the exterior and interior finish. Handling is very nice and predictable. Transmission is as smooth as it can be. I was able to purchase the SE V6 3.3L 242h Santa Fe for less than the price of the base CRV. Fuel economy is good for a large and heavy vehicle. Im consistently get 20mpg in stop and go traffic.