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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  I LOVE My Tucson! - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By tswank24 - September 15 - 11:12 am

  I just bought my 2011 Hyundai Tucson GLS two days ago. I went to the dealer, not really looking to buy, just to test drive. I looked at the Tucson and the Sante Fe. Utimately, the final selling point on the Tucson was the EPA ratings. I traded my 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee (which I really loved, but it got terrible gas mileage at 17.4 mpg combined) for the Tucson. The dealer was wonderful, and gave me top dollar for my Jeep. I walked away with a fully-loaded Tucson, and my monthly payment only went up by $15. So far, I have put about 150 miles on the Tucson, and it says I am getting 25.6 mpg combined. I am so happy considering gas mileage was my deciding factor.

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  IF this one ever dies, Ill buy another! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By LuvMySantaFe - September 15 - 4:06 am

  Dollar per mile, this is the best car I have ever owned. With over 85,000 on it already, its just breaking in. I dont think this vehicle will ever die. VERY upstanding company to deal with. Due to a misrepresentation in MPG, I got a bump on the warranty to 120,000 and $275 in dealer cash from a class action law suit! Try to get that from any other car company! If youre not into status symbols, keeping up with the Jones, or horsepower, then youll be among the intelligent, frugal, money conscience crowd. As long as Hyundai keeps up the quality and warranty levels, I will never buy anything else.

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  Lots of bang for my buck - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By luvin it - September 15 - 2:00 am

  My hubby drives the Tiburon so I figured I give the Sonata a try. All I can say is, "wow." The body and the style makes the car look more expensive than it really is! I feel like Im in a true luxury car. People cant believe its a Hyundai.

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  My favorite car so far - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By suvdave - September 14 - 3:50 pm

  I have been watching the 2007 Santa Fe much of this year and have been impressed with the reviews, with Hyudais company performance, and with the assembly plant in Alabama. After seeing one live and driving it, I was sold. My criteria for a vehicle was safety, comfort and quiet, looks, and lastly fun to drive (in that order). The Santa Fe satisfies all of these quite nicely. Our other vehicle is a Lexus RX350, and the SF holds its own against it. The ride is smooth and it is extrememly quiet. Power is more than adequate for my needs. The fit and finish are great. The third row seats are much roomier and more comfortable that I had envisioned. They are super easy to get in and out of too.

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  nice! - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By happy - September 14 - 6:40 am

  we just purchased this sante fe used with 4500m. on it. So far it is a great ride. Hopefully all the warranties transferred because we were very inpressed with the warrantties.

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  First time SUV owner - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By new oner - September 14 - 2:20 am

  This SUV is not perfect, but its 4 to 10 thousand less than the Rav4, Highlander and Pilot. Not as powerful as the Rav4, but on par with all of them. Ive got the SE 3.3 V6 and Ive been averaging about 21 MPG in stop and go commuting. 5 issues that Ive noticed so far. 1) Only lowing the rear windows sometimes causes a percussive booming against the back window. 2) No aux input or easy way to connect MP3 player to stock stereo. 3) Manual lumbar and height adjustment are worthless. 4) Seat Height adjustment lever is right where I place my behind when I get in. This might break over time. 5) Front window sill where the wipers park will fill with snow. Overall, these are small issues.

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  Exactly what I wanted/expected - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By vmotion - September 13 - 8:45 pm

  I wanted looks, and MPGs. Thats what I exactly what I got. You want power, then get the turbo. If I want fast, Ill take the 66 Mustang for a spin. This car looks hot, handles great, and is everything I expected. Powered by a 1.6, I didnt expect a pace car. My previous car was a non-turbo Mini Cooper, and I find this one to be just as much fun.

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  Burned once, not twice - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Tom Craine - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a used Excell in 93 and cursed the Hyundai name. Was curious when they brought out the new warranty and thought I would give it a try. Have been extremely pleased. Had a problem with a total loss of electrical power but after a new alternator and battery (covered)Im running fine. $12,150 never got me so far!

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  expecting better gas mileage - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Creech - September 12 - 11:10 pm

  After owning 4 toyotas, this was a big move. The outside appearance of this van is superior to all others. The inside is also superior. I have been disappointed in the gas mileage though. I have only been averaging 16 - 17 mpg during the summer months. Should the air conditioning make that much difference? I dont think so. 19 mpg would be o.k. The van does seem to surge a lot. I only have 3000 miles on my van so hopefully it will start getting better mileage very soon.

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  Excellent from New Hyundai - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tom - September 11 - 11:00 pm

  I love this new sonata. Its very comfort, and stylish. I was so impressed and so quiet and handling is very luxury car.