Hyundai in America: from the 1986 Excel to Georgia-built EVs

Hyundai in the US (1986–present) history

Hyundai Motor America was incorporated in 1985, and exports of the Excel to the US began in 1986. The base Excel cost $4,995 as a four-door hatchback or sedan, and Hyundai sold 168,882 in its first year, followed by 263,610 in 1987 and a record 264,282 in 1988.

Sales then fell to 183,261 in 1989 and to 90,217 in 1998. That year Hyundai launched the Hyundai Advantage, 'America's Best Warranty', with 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage; in 1999 sales rose 82 percent to 164,190. The 2001 Santa Fe, Hyundai's first SUV, followed in summer 2000.

Hyundai broke ground on its first US plant in Alabama in April 2002 and opened it in May 2005. In 2021 it launched the IONIQ 5 on the dedicated E-GMP EV platform, and in October 2024 its Georgia Metaplant began building the IONIQ 5 for the US.[1],[3],[4],[5],[7]

Years and production numbers

Generations and key variants

Engine and drivetrain facts

• HMMA's three engine shops build Smartstream G2.5 GDI, G1.6 T-GDI, G2.0 Atkinson and G2.5 T-GDI engines, used in Alabama-built Hyundais and in Kias built in West Point, Georgia.
• The 2022 IONIQ 5 used the E-GMP platform with a 58 kWh or 77.4 kWh battery and rear- or dual-motor drive, and supported 800-volt fast charging.
• Alabama added the Elantra to its Sonata production in fall 2010; today the plant builds SUVs and the Santa Cruz instead.

Sources:[4],[5],[9]

What changed over the years

1. 1985Hyundai Motor America incorporated.
2. 1986Excel exports to the US begin.
3. December 1994The 1995 Accent replaces the Excel.
4. 199810-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty launched; Hyundai acquires Kia Motors in December.
5. Summer 20002001 Santa Fe, Hyundai's first SUV, arrives.
6. May 2005Alabama plant opens with the 2006 Sonata.
7. 2015Cumulative US sales pass 10 million; Genesis launched as a separate brand.
8. December 20212022 IONIQ 5 priced from $39,700.
9. October 2024Georgia Metaplant starts IONIQ 5 production.

Sources:[1],[2],[4],[5],[7],[9]

What to check before you buy one

• The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty Hyundai launched in 1998 is a new-car warranty; check what coverage a used Hyundai still has before relying on it.
• Alabama has built the Sonata (from 2005) and Elantra (from fall 2010) and now builds the Tucson, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz; a decoded VIN shows where a given car was assembled.
• Check any used Hyundai's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for open campaigns before buying.

Engine guides: Smartstream (G1.6T, G2.0, G2.5) engine guide, E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) engine guide.

How to verify a Hyundai in the US (1986–present)'s factory options

A Hyundai's model, engine and drivetrain are fixed at the factory. CarWhere decodes the 17-character VIN and, where licensed factory build data exists, lists the equipment the car was built with. It does not promise a complete option list for every VIN.