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Hyundai Pony -

South Korea's automotive industry effectively got off the grid with the Hyundai Pony. Manufactured by Hyundai from 1975 to 1990, this was the country's first mass-produced and exported vehicle.

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Hyundai Sonata -

The first generation Sonata was introduced by Hyundai in 1985. Now in its eight generation, the mid-size family sedan is currently represented by the 2023 Sonata Hybrid (pictured).

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Hyundai Grandeur -

In 1986, Hyundai launched the Grandeur, which was then marketed under various nameplates worldwide—prominently as the Hyundai Azera. The car, an executive sedan, has evolved through seven generations, the latest, Grandeur Calligraphy, having been launched in 2022.

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Hyundai Elantra -

The first Hyundai Elantra (known as the Avante in its home country) was launched in 1990. This compact sedan has endured to celebrate its seventh generation with a sleeker, more aerodynamic body, and is naturally more high-tech.

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Kia Sportage -

The Sportage represents a lineup of Kia sport utility vehicles (SUVs), the first being introduced in 1993. This is the best-selling Kia model globally since 2016, and is now in its fifth generation.

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Hyundai Tiburon -

Unveiled in 1996, production of the Hyundai Tiburon lasted until 2008, with the second generation perhaps being the most popular, with 120,000 units sold in the United States alone.

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Kia Rio -

Launched in 1999 and now in its fourth generation, the Rio was Kia's best-selling car worldwide until it was surpassed by the Kia Sportage in 2016. Produced as a three- and five-door hatchback and a four-door sedan, the Rio's days may be numbered with rumors that the car may be discontinued in 2023.

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Hyundai Equus -

The Equus, Hyundai's luxury five-door sedan, was noted for its smooth, quiet handling thanks to a air-ride suspension system. Launched in 1999, it was the release of the second generation in 2009 that competed with the likes of the BMW 7 Series and the Lexus L8. Ultimately, though, Hyundai made the decision to discontinue the model in 2016.

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Kia K5 -

Good-looking, comfortable, and reliable, the Kia K5, formally badged as the Kia Optima, began production in 2000. Marketed as a mid-sized car, its upscale interior features are worthy of a far more expensive vehicle.

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Ssangyong Rexton -

Since 2023, the Ssangyong Motor Company has been known as KG Mobility. Its main focus is sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and crossover SUVs. Back in 2001, Ssangyong launched the Rexton, a mid-sized SUV that enjoyed a substantial facelift in 2020. The car is now manufactured by KG Mobility.

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Hyundai Santa Fe -

Also in 2001, Hyundai unveiled the Santa Fe, the company's first SUV. What Car? is still impressed, describing the vehicle in 2023 as one of the "best SUV options."

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Kia Picanto -

Top Gear was equally gushing in its 2022 appraisal of the Kia Picanto, which was originally launched in 2003 as a rather bland-looking city car. "It's fun, frugal and feels like great value for money," noted the review.

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Hyundai i10 -

The late 2000s saw Hyundai launch its new city runaround, the Hyundai i10. On the road since 2007, the zippy and stylish i10 was designed for easy handling in town traffic and is still able to compete with similar vehicles in its class.

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Hyundai i30 -

In the same year, 2007, Hyundai also began production on the i30, a small family hatchback designed to give the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus hatchbacks a run for their money. The i30 proved very popular and is now in its third generation.

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Kia Soul -

The first-generation Kia Soul debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. While a hatchback, it's marketed as a crossover. Boxy styling set it apart from its competitors' curvy bodies. The Soul's roomy interior continues to make it a firm favorite on the school run.

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Kia Forte -

Simple handling and impressive fuel economy makes the Kia Forte a car of choice for many drivers with an eye on their pockets. Its value and utility further adds to its allure. Launched in 2008, the Forte is currently in its fourth generation.

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Hyundai Genesis -

Genesis is Hyundai's luxury vehicle division. In 2008, the Hyundai Genesis was unveiled, a move that saw South Korea join the automotive world's elite car club. This sleek vehicle, seen here in its coupé version, was manufactured over two generations until 2016, after which Genesis became a standalone division and the car was renamed the Genesis G80.

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Kia Cadenza -

Kia, meanwhile, made its own inroads toward the luxury car market with the Cadenza. Produced from 2009 to 2021, this large, comfort-focused sedan found favor with the more discerning and sophisticated driver.

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Hyundai Veloster -

Introduced primarily to fill the void left when Hyundai discontinued the Hyundai Tiburon in 2008, the Veloster debuted in 2011 and succeeded in blending the looks of a stylish coupé with the practicality of a hatchback. It remained in production until 2022.

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Kia K9 -

Marketed as the Kia K900 in the United States and Canada, and as the Kia Quoris in other export markets (though not the UK), the stylish K9 hit the road in 2012 and quickly won plaudits for its executive demeanor. The second generation K9 was launched in 2018.

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Genesis G90 -

Meanwhile, the motoring press was taking note of Genesis' redesigned flagship sedan, the G90. Unveiled in 2015, it rivaled—and still does—many European and American luxury sedans, with the second generation G90 enjoying healthy sales in the United States.

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Ssangyong Tivoli -

Introduced in 2015 as the Ssangyong Tivoli but today known as the KG Mobility Tivoli, this crossover SUV is sold in South Korea as the Tivoli Air.

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Kia e-Nero -

As the text in the photograph declares, the Kia e-Niro can manage an impressive 485 km (301 mi) on a single charge. Introduced in 2016, the cheap-to-run, fuss-free Nero is available in three versions: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric variants (pictured).

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Genesis G80 -

Evolving out of the Hyundai Genesis in 2016, the G80 enjoyed its debut as an electric vehicle in 2023 to much fanfare. It can even be sold with an optional solar roof to draw extra power from the sun.

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Hyundai Ioniq -

Hyundai's Ioniq was marketed as the first automobile to be offered without a standard internal combustion engine, instead sold in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric variants. It went on sale in 2016 and stayed charged until 2022.

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Hyundai Kona -

With electric now the buzzword across the automotive industry, Hyundai also produced a battery electric version of its popular Kona in 2017.

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Kia Stinger -

A signature vehicle from the Kia stable, the Stinger sports car, manufactured from 2018 to 2023, combined high performance with remarkable road handling. The GT version was equipped with a twin-turbo V6 engine producing a high thrust capacity that delighted racing enthusiasts. It's very much missed.

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Kia Telluride -

In 2020, Kia triumphed with the Telluride, a mid-size crossover SUV that was the 2020 World Car of the Year as well as Motor Trend's SUV of the year.

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Genesis Essentia Concept -

Meanwhile, all eyes are on Genesis to see whether its all-electric, high-performance concept car makes it onto the road. Speculation regarding the development of a possible production car from this concept is rife. So far, however, the brakes are on any further move.

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The demise of Daewoo -

Finally, spare a thought for Daewoo, founded in 1967 and at one point the second largest conglomerate in South Korea after the Hyundai Group. Cars produced included the Lanos SX (pictured), manufactured from 1997 to 2002 and conceived by acclaimed car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, named in 1999 as Car Designer of the Century and inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2002. Daewoo collapsed in 1999 with debts of about US$50 billion (equivalent to $88 billion in 2022/23).

Sources: (What Car?) (Top Gear) (Electric Vehicle Web) (World Car Awards)

See also: 30 concept cars that never hit the mainstream

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