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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  GOOD BUY, NO REGRETS! - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By USlovesIt - September 30 - 11:50 pm

  I went through 1/2 a year, over 100 dealers, over 20 brands of car makers. Finally found Hyundai is the one. I am a Toyota fan and still am, but cannot believe that I will buy a Hyundai. Great buy for this Santa Fe. Everything is good, went through over 500 car reviews and checks, good price and unbeatable warranties. NO REGRETS! Hyundai that owns Kia is going up ladder to beat out the Japanese makers and other global players, see the new Sonata 2006. Cant say more for the global world car makers, especially the Chinese cars are coming to Americas market after the win in Asia.

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  Hyundai xg350l - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By ft - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Excellent value for the amount of car which you receive. Drives and handles very smooth and tight. Many features found on more expensive models.

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  GOOD CAR - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By ANGEL - September 30 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS THE BEST HYUNDAI YET

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  Cannot beat this car!!!!!!!!! 5 STAR A+ - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Chief Captain Moroni - September 30 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a new car and spent time reserching makes model and prices v/s quality. I narrowed it to two makes and models. The KIA Spectra GSX and the Hyundai Elantra Hatchback GT. I drove the KIA first and did not feel well about that experience. When I sat in the Elantra GT Hatch, it was instant Love. This is a great car with Standard Leather Seats, CD, Cruise, PW, PL, and a well laid out interior. You will not find a better warranty and some dealers are offering 12/120000 mile warranties if you buy from them. Super quality and Hyundai is now ranked equal to Honda quality. I can believe it. Get em while they are cheap. And remember Read the B.O.M.

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  frozen fluid - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Alan - September 29 - 2:30 am

  I love this car. I bought it for my wife and I hardly let her drive it. The one PROBLEM is the washer fluid keeps freezing (yes I use -25 type). I have never had this problem before. I think this is a design flaw and a safety hazard. Other than that this car is great, fun to drive and fair- good on gas.

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  My 2001 Accent GL 4 door - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By Jess Wretched - September 29 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent car for a first car. It has great gas mileage, has never given me any problems, and I can take some friends along for the ride. =) Although, i wish it would be a bit stronger with the A/C on. Other than that, Ive had no prblems or dislikes with it. An inexpensive, useful car with an outstanding warranty.

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  Fun New Tuscon 2010 - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Julie - September 28 - 1:20 pm

  I looked at a used Lexus hybrid, the Honda CRV and a used Mercedes M class and am delighted with the choice of the Tuscon. I love the way it looks and feels. We also have a Mercedes CLK in our household but needed a practical SUV but didnt want a gas guzzler. When I spotted the Tuscon I fell in love. Gas mileage, style and warranty tipped me in. I opted for the Limited, with leather but not the premium...I prefer using portable gps, and dont need a sunroof so the premium features arent important to me.

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  Good Review - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Famous Bill - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Bird doo doo leaves marks in paint too easily. I question the quality of paint and what it will look like in three to four years even though my car is housed in a garage most nights.

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  Not bad for the price - 2000 Hyundai Accent
  By ImpalaJeff - September 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car to go to and from work, thats it...With auto and air and the warranty you cant beat the price..

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  Great Car - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By Rose43 - September 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Accent in Feb of 2003, it snowed so much this car got me through it and handled the weather better than I though it would. The engine is a little loud but its ok the rest of the car makes up for it.