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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  21 months later - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By BMC - April 7 - 2:00 am

  Ive waited to write this review, because I put a lot of emphasis on quality and reliability. When I test- drove comparable cars, this was a hand- down winner in comfort and ride quality. It also had better features for a lower price. After almost two years of ownership, Im pleased to say its also very reliable.

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  A great car at a great price. - 2016 Hyundai Veloster
  By Bruce Hinman - April 6 - 9:46 pm

  I looked at a lot of cars on the internet and read many reviews. The car I selected was the Hyundai Voloster, the price and the quality of the car is the reason. Got a great deal on 2016 close out, a vitamin c color turbo. The car sounds great on start up, I like a little noise from the pipes. The engine is smooth, the transmission takes some getting use to. The salesman said to help with the turbo. Took a trip at about 400 miles and was getting 39.6 mpg on highway. I really like the car, it does have some blind spots. But mirror adjustment solved that.

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  Tuscon Regrets - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By LAM - April 6 - 6:46 pm

  Very dissapointing gas mileage, not 22 MPG as quoted, more like 17 MPG. Engine performance leave much to be desired, always doggin. This vehicle did not hold its value, purchased at $18,7k, at trade only worth 10k (and I shopped it around)!

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  What a piece of $@*# !!!!!!! - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By SH - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Four months after purchase: rattling noises, lost a lot of pick-up, and car kicking when going past 30mph. Dealer determined: "all components are functioning to factory standards." Brought car back 5 times and not fixed. Two weeks ago, car lost more pick-up, rattling strongly when in idle, lost almost all power going from 45 to 60mph. Went to my mechanic and asked him to check out. Mechanic asessed that there is something wrong with the fuel injectors and the trans and the air filtering system is not functioning properly (water seeping in). Well see what the dealership says to that!

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  FAST HYUNDAI - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By HyundaiBoi - April 5 - 5:33 pm

  I am 15 this is my first car and i love it, i have gotten in two several races and this car is stock! this car is the best car ever i bought it for 2400 salvage title, it was really a good investment. i just did a tune up and vrooom man this car is great. i would really suggest this car two someone who is looking for a fast tuner.

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  Let em look! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By JimW - April 5 - 5:46 am

  Got a Sterling Blue V6 w/ Tech/Prem pkgs a month ago. Ive been enjoying the car very much. Its fun to come out of stores and have guys standing around the car and saying "thats a Hyundai?". I got the "wings badge" for the trunk lid, just to keep them guessing. The car is a dream to drive, and very well designed inside. I wish I had more miles on the lease, as I would love to just drive, drive, drive. I expect that when this market recovers, this will be THE car to own.

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  A good surprise - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Paul - April 5 - 3:40 am

  I have driven Camrys for the past 10 years so it took quite a leap of faith for me to purchase a new 2009 Sonata Limited. But after comparison shopping there was no contest. I got a great deal on my Sonata (especially with the $3000 rebate on 2009 Sonatas), the dealership could not have been easier to work with (I run from high-pressure sales folks)and the car I bought has a lot of very nice features, including a V-6, leather interior, sunroof, great stereo and a very nice, quiet ride, plus excellent warranties. For the same price I paid for a new Sonata with all those features I would have had to buy a used Camry, Accord or Altima (and right around 2007 or even 2006 for the same features.)

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  An excellent car for the money! - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By 04accent4drGL - April 4 - 3:00 am

  this is overall a competant little automobile. it has excellent power with the 5 speed. good torque and power from the engine. excellent shifting action (especially for an economy car) and the body panel gaps have improved dramatically for a hyundai. it feels like that this car will last forever. the car doesnt squeak or rattle when you go over bumps or little road irregularities. the cabin stays pretty quiet and the engine is quiet and makes a kick ass sophisticated sounds when you shift the manual. the warranty, and the price makes this car perfect for college and new families.

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  Good-looking, comfy road car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dian Norby - April 3 - 2:44 pm

  Other than a bit too much road noise, doors that are heavy and seem hard to keep open to exit, this has been a great road car: very dependable, comfortable on long trips, holds LOTS of luggage (I moved my elderly mother from her home in the country to an apartment in town and couldnt believe how much I could get in this car with the seat backs down in back), good speakers, handy front-seat storage, and enough power to go over the mountains, yet maintain a decent mileage.

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  Loved my Santa Fe - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Shannon Quinn - April 3 - 4:35 am