WHAT? After Sonata Test Drive Writer Declares Hyundai Is Now A Top Tier Automaker

I have to confess: I hadn't been totally sold on Hyundai.  Yes, it offered superb value -- more equipment than you expected for the price. But the designs were at first too quirky, and then too bland -- frankly imitative of its competitors.  Hyundai seemed more a clever follower than a market leader.

The 2009 Genesis sedan was the first Hyundai that showed real originality as well as a sophisticated aesthetic. But I wanted to see more, to make sure it wasn't just a one-off, or a flash in the pan.

Now that I've seen the 2011 Sonata, I'm ready to move Hyundai into the top tier of the world's automakers.


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91z4me - 5/20/2010 12:15:06 PM

+1 Boost

Then why did you read it?

Agent009 - 5/20/2010 12:53:20 PM

+1 Boost

shocktrooper- The Camry is a great car if all you want is point A to point B transport. I however want to enjoy the time getting there.

91z4me - 5/20/2010 12:18:03 PM

+1 Boost

Perhaps he thought it would spark interesting discussion as to which tier the readers of Autospies felt that Hyundai fit. Perhaps he felt the author made an interesting observation as to Hyundai's momentum.

Perhaps he wanted Toyota trolls to fall all over themselves deboosting him down. The world may never know.

Agent009 - 5/20/2010 12:52:11 PM

0 Boost

I thought it was a bit crazy that two models in a line up constitute a tier one maker..

_43LE - 5/20/2010 11:00:58 AM

+7 Boost

I had a Sonata yesterday as a rental. I was quite impressed. If Toyota and Honda do not start producing some good product again, Hyundai will blow past them.

MtlMotors - 5/20/2010 12:03:15 PM

+4 Boost

The rental business does hurt residuals but it also gets your product in people's hands that would normally never even consider it. For Hyundai, I don't think it's that bad of a place to be.

91z4me - 5/20/2010 12:18:56 PM

-3 Boost

Honda doesn't want the rental car business like Hyundai does.
-Invisible [citation needed]

_43LE - 5/20/2010 12:31:41 PM

+5 Boost

True, fleet sales are only a small percentage of Honda's sales. I'm just saying that Honda has stagnated and is in serious trouble because long time Honda fans like me no longer have anything to purchase from them. I look at what they have to offer today and NOTHING interests me. Well, maybe the MDX, but I'm not in the market for an SUV anyways.

_43LE - 5/20/2010 2:45:53 PM

+4 Boost

Nope, it would not be a Sonata, not for me. But I would consider a G37 coupe before the Accord coupe, even if it's priced a bit higher. 330hp, better gas mileage, RWD (= more fun), faster.

_43LE - 5/20/2010 3:44:11 PM

+1 Boost

Isn't that normal here on Autospies?

uaw_lax - 5/20/2010 11:03:59 AM

+4 Boost

Nice 2009 Huyndia Camry!

LACMAN - 5/20/2010 1:03:32 PM

+1 Boost

Squint very hard at that pic. Would anyone buy that if that early Sonata rendering was the next Genesis?

Steve - 5/20/2010 2:08:02 PM

+3 Boost

Kudos to Hyundai. Remember we used to laugh at "made in Korea" back in the days of the Pony? Come to think of it, we used to laugh at "made in Japan" at one time, and now, viryually all our high-end consumer electronics come from there, as well as some great people movers.

Keep an eye on Hyundai, folks. And on the Chinese. They're not on the radar yet, but it's just a matter of time.

theoptimisticpessimist - 5/20/2010 5:38:24 PM

+6 Boost

I don't think the journalist understands what a "top tier" automaker is.