It’s easy to forget that Korean manufacturers have been trying to make performance cars before Hyundai kicked off its real glow-up at the end of the 2010s, though. Hyundai TiburonEngine 2.7-liter V6 Power 172–181 hp 0-60 mph 7.3 seconds Top speed 136 mphSure, Hyundai may be a household name today, but it’s taken a lot of work to get there. The Hyundai Genesis Coupe arrived in the same year the Tiburon left, and rewrote Hyundai’s idea of a compact sports car. Daewoo Kalos BlueEngine 1.4-liter four-cylinder Power 93 hp 0-60 mph 11.1 seconds Top speed 109 mphWe’ll forgive you if Daewoo has escaped your memory. Subscribe for More Deep Dives on Performance Cars Unlock curated histories—subscribe to the newsletter for deep profiles, technical context and rare stories about performance cars, Korean marques and enthusiast models to deepen your automotive knowledge.