Thoughts on how far Hyundai-Kia has come?

[TorqueHappenS08]

What do you true enthusiast think about the strides of Hyundai an KIA through the past years.

Do you think the negative image is starting to fade?

what about there cars. Build quality, refinement, reliability,passion, style, brand image(fluidic design) for Hyundai, and Audi design for KIA with past Audi designer Peter scryer. safety, value, "new brand image" quality over quantity or vice versa"

It's been only a short few years, and the success of Hyundai-KIA is seriously mind boggling. but that's my opinion. what do you think?

ide also like to mention, im very proud for how far they have came, I think now alot of people see how good the company and their respective cars really are.

And how they give the customer what they "want" and not just what they can "afford"

Hard to imagine in the 90s Hyundai could barely develop a good 4 cylinder, But now there world class leaders in "engine" technology

notable video for the performance heads


Hyundai genesis 5.0 gas direct injected V8 first burn out to the performance car world. via smoking tire and Matt farrah

 

[Paulie]

I wouldn't quite say they're world leaders (half their tech is still Mitsubishi's anyway), but it's well known now that Hyundai is the world's fastest growing manufacturer. The Genesis is almost really cool except for the fact it's a tacky luxo limo rather than having a legit sports sedan variant, the Coupe is wicked, not sold here in Oz though.

 

[176OES]

As far as quality is concerned, Korean manufacturers are really turning their game around.

In a previous job I was a sales rep for an aftermarket 4wd accessories company, and part of my job was sourcing new vehicles for product R&D when they were released.

I can honestly tell you from chatting with the R&D boys & looking at these vehicles when the fronts were off them at build quality and etc, that they have come a very long way from when they first entered the market.

Also the drive quality on them isnt too bad either.

As far as light commercial vehicles go, the Hyundai iLoad is killing a market which was once dictated by the Toyota Hiace due to its quality and affordability. Products for that vehicle were a huge seller... Dealers couldnt get them in quick enough.

The fact that these manufacturers are now so widely branching out of the small car segments they were once confined to is testament to the increase in consumer confidence in their brand... and that only comes from building a good product in the first place.

As said above, they are no world leaders... but then again, you arent paying a world leading price either.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Hyundai is the new Honda.

Honda is the new Toyota...

 

[TorqueHappenS08]

Hyundai is the new Honda.

Honda is the new Toyota...

I wouldn't say Honda is the new Toyota, When you think about it, Honda is still trying and putting out sports cars, there is the Civic Si for US market, Honda civic type R for Asia/Euro market and the CRZ and upcoming type R CRZ, Even the Sporty little Fit(sports model true successor to the Honda civic EG chassis) Might i mention their plans to revive the nsx, and also the 2012 Honda accord Coupe is quick and sporty. Honda is still pushing sports cars, so big props to them, Toyota on the other hand "completely" killed their entire sports line up(this excludes Lexus). supra, celica, mr2-s etc. Honda has still got its spirit. be it the FT86 is a huge step in the right direction for Toyota though. Shows not all hope is lost.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
But back on to the toppic, About the after market truck segment, i think KIA sorrento SX fits right into there, Great build quality, and its pretty quick, It's also marketed for performance.

Cant say the same for the Hyundai Veracruz

 

[Moot]

Very appealing 7 year warranty, Kia Ceed, decent car, 200bhp hot hatch coming soon. What's not to like at the price?
Will be good to see by how much it can undercut it's hot hatch rivals.

 

[Mike0105]

Having just bought a KIA, I am mightily impressed on the turnaround over past 5 years. I would never have bought a Kia or Hyundai before i tried an i30 as a rental. This impressed me so much i really had to think about them wen i came to replaced my Fiat.

My KIA Cee'd sport is actually better than our other car, a mk5 Golf TDI. My girlfriend (who ownes the Golf) won't admit it to me, but after driving the KIA she prefers it! She is also the biggest brand snob I know.

The quality of the cars, the smooth powertrains, the high spec, the good price and that warranty really have made these brands one of the best all round packages you can get.

 

[Crispy]

I think that in the next 10 or so years, Hyundai and KIA will be at what the Japanese car companies were in the 90's. I think its a good thing too. Each of the ideas for each are basically making a fun and affordable car.

 

[C-ZETA]

Hyundai is the new Honda.

Honda is the new Toyota...

Toyota is the new...*nods off*

*Gets woken up by passing FT-86 many years later*

But anyway, Hyundai and Kia have HUGELY improved from the beginning of the last century to the beginning of this one. They just need something sporty. Yes, the UK hasn't got the Genesis.

 

[Keef]

I wouldn't quite say they're world leaders (half their tech is still Mitsubishi's anyway), but it's well known now that Hyundai is the world's fastest growing manufacturer. The Genesis is almost really cool except for the fact it's a tacky luxo limo rather than having a legit sports sedan variant, the Coupe is wicked, not sold here in Oz though.

The Genesis sedan actually has quite good sporting credentials. Hyundai's ability to finely tune suspension ride and handling balance has been criticized, but overall the car has been praised for good driving dynamics.

 

[TorqueHappenS08]

Toyota is the new...*nods off*

*Gets woken up by passing FT-86 many years later*

But anyway, Hyundai and Kia have HUGELY improved from the beginning of the last century to the beginning of this one. They just need something sporty. Yes, the UK hasn't got the Genesis.

Any talk on ever bringing the genesis to the uk market? I remember reading the top gear uk website and they reviewed the genesis coupe and sedan, and were quite sad they would not be available for the uk market.

would love to see the new 2012 coupe on top gear.

 

[Mike0105]

Any talk on ever bringing the genesis to the uk market? I remember reading the top gear uk website and they reviewed the genesis coupe and sedan, and were quite sad they would not be available for the uk market.

would love to see the new 2012 coupe on top gear.

Not sure if they would sell though. A sporty Hyundia that isn't cheap as chips is still a few years off in term of public perception. But look at skoda, they have done the turnaround already. The VRS models sell quite well.

It may happen in a few years. We'll have to see how the hot Cee'd does first.