STUD or DUD? Do The FIRST REAL-LIFE EXTERIOR Pictures Of The 2015 Hyundai Sonata Have You Swooning?

Hmm. Very beautiful looking vehicle. The car looks classy, and it has the style. Definitely looks a lot better than the new Mercedes S class, E class, Audi A6 and BMW 5 series. And unlike those cars, this Hyundai has "quality".

you really need to look up the definition of quality. particularly in comparison to the word reliability, as you continuously use them as if they are synonyms. they are not.

if you devoted a fraction of the time you spend on your shtick as you did on becoming more knowledgeable commentator, you may not drive as many readers from this website.

you make Sarah Palin look like a scholar.

When did I say reliability is the same thing as quality here? And seems like you are confused, because in many cases, the reliability issues are closely related to the quality of the parts. I still remember how BMW 5 series got the lowest ratings on the crash tests and Kia got the highest.

And you might want to take a look at the BMWs and Mercedes vehicles that you see nowadays, there are E classes built by Beijing-Benz and BMW engines built in China. That's some real funny "German engineering" right there. Where is quality again? Is Made in China a "German quality"?

If I don't know much, I would not talk. You should do the same, because doesn't look like you know much about anything.

I actually laughed quite hard when the new Audi A8 was introduced (Yes, the new one). The guy was saying how the right/left turn signals actually move towards the direction you are heading to. So for example, if you turn on the left turn signal, then the light goes from right to left, right to left, instead of just flashing non-stop like normal cars do.

Well, this kind of feature existed in the "old" Hyundai models. Nothing new to see.

And also saying how the headlights actually move as you move your steering wheel. But this kind of feature existed in the "old" Toyota models.

So, let me ask you, what makes this Hyundai inferior to BMW, Mercedes or Audi again? Enlighten me, genius.

You did not say quality and reliability were the same here, but have equated them in past rants. On numerous occasions.

I assure you, I have a firm grasp of quality vs reliability, and accuracy vs precision. These concepts are basic elements of a mechanical engineering undergraduate curriculum.

As for Chinese manufacturing, it has unfortunately become a staple in our ever more globalized economy. China has made the commitment to be the hub of manufacturing across many industries - from Apple computers to photovoltaics. And yes, a product can be "German engineered", while being manufactured in China. If Germany eventually decided to outsource their R&D, maybe you would have a point. But currently YOU DON'T.

As for the alleged KIA vs 5er comparison, I expect if 100 people were forced to choose between being in an accident in a 5er vs ANY KIA, all would choose the 5er (even you!).

Hyundai has come a long way over the past 15 years - they've improved at a rate I didn't know was possible. It's amazing, really. But what makes Hyundai inferior to the Germans? Again, quality. See interior for most obvious quality differences.

Hyundai isn't even TRYING to be as good as the Germans. Their trying to be 80% as good, at 65% of the cost. They're trying to be a value alternative - and doing a bang up job at that! Look at the marketing for the Hyundai Genesis, for example. They market the V8 Genesis against the more pedestrian 6 cylinder versions of A6/5er/E.

Outsourcing is the reason why Big 3 of this country went down so badly. And unfortunately, considering the fact that the German automakers are working hard on expanding the lineup, all in order to increase profit, eventually you will see more and more made in China cars. Just because R&D is done by the Germans does not mean that is "everything". There are many customers who wish their cars were actually built in Germany or at least some other European countries. But I guess you have no problem paying 80k only to drive a car that says "Build in China" as long as there is a badge.

And I only choose the one that is "safe". You are only brainwashed to believe that the people "blindly" choose European, just like how the media keeps trying to push this laughable propaganda. If I was forced to choose one, and if 5 series fails the test, then I have "no reason" to choose 5 series. Do not think everyone is a badgewhore like yourself. "No one" chooses the car to be in just by looking at the brand, if they were forced to be inside a car that is to be crushed, as the primary concern for them would be to be in the "safest" one. I would choose the 5 series "only if" it gets a better rating than the Kia. But I guess you blindly believe BMW is "solid". Keep that opinion to yourself.

Interior quality. Let's see, hmm Audi and Mercedes have some shiny interior. ....and? Do you look at the dashboard when you drive around? Because I don't. When I drive, all that interior is "meaningless". But I guess that nice looking interior in Merc and Audi might come in handy eventually, as you wait for the towing truck.

This car is so purely middle-of-the-road now. The outgoing model set the mid-size non-premium segment on its head with its very progressive styling. This model look outright plain next to the Fusion, Mazda 6, Optima, and even 200. Heck, even the Accord for that matter. This exterior to go along with the sterile interior has me shaking my head a bit at the direction Hyundai is going.

Wish they stopped using the Crome piece that runs from the headlight to the bottom of the A pillar. So unnecessary

So true jeffgall. That chrome piece looks out of place. And you are right cidflekken, the outgoing Sonata took everyone in the midsize sedan market by surprise with it's progressive styling, but it appears that everyone in that segment has responded quite well with their own updated models. This refresh from Hyundai comes across as being complacent and trying to ride on the success of the previous model. It looks just like any other midsized sedan and if that's the case I'm going to choose brands that have better long term reliability and resale values. That would be Honda and Toyota.

its uglier

looks pretty A to B to me, not ugly, but nothing special. a Florida rental pretty much....

I don't have much thought to this car but I've always noticed how much adding led license plate lights to can do for cars. Automakers today put almost unnecessary amounts of LEDs in the headlights/taillights/interiors, yet they only put a few of them in the license plate lights. This car doesn't have LEDs there so thats why I went on this ramble.

Hyundai/KIA add LEDs because they think it makes their cars look more hi-tech. Ever seen the Sonata hybrid LED headlights? Looks like a Christmas tree giving one the impression there was no thought into it other than "me too".

The only companies who do a good job with light accents are BMW and Lincoln/Ford. Everyone else just has random designs that are no different than buying a $15 pack of LEDs at Walmart.