Now That Hyundai And Kia Are Producing Some Of The BEST Designs, What's STOPPING YOU From Buying One?

Long term reliability and resale. Guessing the reliability has gotten better but no one in their right mind would pay up for a used Hyundai or Kia. Stigma applies to American vehicles and it also applies to Korean as well.

Yes, they are making some nicely designed vehicles, but I wouldn't call them great designs. While they are handsome, they are derivative and somewhat generic at the same time. With the new Kia wagon, yes, it's nice...for a wagon..but we've already seen the same exact design in the taller Santa Fe. And Genesis is a very nice car, but it's a mashup of many other cars that have been around for years. The new Tuscon has already been seen in the MKC and NX and both of them, while more expensive, have much nicer interiors and (likely) driving dynamics (at least Matthew McConaughey says so).

Well said. Mashup and generic definitely apply.

You wouldn't call them great designs? Ignroing Kia's Optima, Venga, Soul, cee'd, Sedona, Kia GT, won designs awards. Why didn't Honda, Toyota, win any or as many since according to you their designs are great?

As for the Genesis you say is a mash up of other cars being arund for years? Now we are going to play dumb that cars like Avalong, Chrysler 200, Chyrlser 300, Nissan Altima, Fusion, Focus, Highlander, 2016 Pilot, aren't mashed up designs from other cars that have been around for years.

Who wants to play dumb in acting like the Buick Regal's backend isn't a msahed up Volvoo S60's backend?

Anti-Korean bigotry is what would keep some from buying their products. The rest of us see their high quality, durability, and reliability and know they are great buys.

The resale value nonsense prattled about above shows ignorance of market reality. To BUYERS of cars in the Sonata/Optima class, i.e. Camry et. al., resale value is not a big concern because BUYERS are going to drive this class of car until it dies. They typically do not trade up often.

Resale value is also not an issue with leasing given that it's virtually impossible to find a lease that is NOT subsidized, i.e. overstated resale value that is covered by the automaker's credit arm.

The more minus votes I get, the more I know that I have hit a truth that the Pollyannas cannot face.

You left out drivability. This is where the Koreans fail. On paper, the cars look great and show a lot of value for the money. But the feel of the car on the road is another story. Granted most buying in this class care less about performance and more about the other characteristics you listed above. With that said, most on this site care more about overall performance,

Bigotry? I guess since I also threw American makes into that comment that I hate Americans too? Don't get hurt because I don't like the brands. Historically, they were cheap POS cars that made up bargain rental car fleets. Today, they look better and do offer value but it doesn't make my point any less true. The stigma still exists whether you like it or not. Has nothing to do with bigotry and everything to do with the last 15-20 years of product offerings. If you like it... Go for it. Not my cup of tea. Also.. Many of these are made in Alabama by Americans so... Grow up man. Leave the ridiculous ranting to JDmuswhtshisname...

Don't worry about that. Cheaper alternatives my butt. Hyundai/Kia defeated their cheaper alternatives such as Suzuki, Pontiac, and Isuzu (and may is well say, "Mitsubishi"). Yet Toyota can't seem to defeat Hyundai their alternative.

The wagon has a simple design that makes it very attractive. Perhaps my only very small peeve is the upper lip indentation on the grille, time for Kia to ditch that. Veers away from the typical gymicky design you see on most Asian cars,

With that said, I have driven my friends Sonanta and was very displeased with how it drives. Terrible handling and transmission. But then again, most front wheel drives are poor to me.

Pretty much everyone I know that drives a Kia or Hyundai is simply looking for a cheap and somewhat stylish way to get from point A to point B. Not to sound sexist, but honestly a majority of these people are women. I hear from a lot of people that these cars are a cheaper alternative to buying a new or used Honda or Toyota. The key word is cheap alternative. I feel that most of the people that drive these cars would rather be driving a Honda or Toyota, but just can't justify the higher car payment because it doesn't matter to them that much. Anyone who truly cares about the type of car they drive will not want to be seen driving in a Hyundai or Kia. This is the stigma that comes along with these brands. We live in a shallow society and no matter how you slice it, the kind of car you drive says something about the person you are. Kia and Hyundai have made amazing strides in becoming competitive with others in their class, but it's going to take at least another decade and some shallow celeb backing to rid these brands of the stigma that they carry. Maybe Lebron will get the ball rolling with his Kia endorsement.

"Not want to be seen driving a hyundai or Kia?" Where you living in the Kia Sephia years?

If people are so nervous being seen in a Hyundai or Kia, how did the koreans take out Suzuki, Pontiac, Iszuzu and Saturn? Hmm? If they dont' want to be seen in a Hyundai or Kia then why globally is Hyunai Kia top ten best sellers outselling Honda and I think Ford? Why is that? Because they are cheap? Mitsubish and Suzuki are cheap too, why aren't their sells over Ford and Hondas?

Suspension engineering and execution is till not as good as Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Nissan, let alone vehicles from Europe. Interior quality is there, however. Also as it's been said the Korean's are copycats of the Japanese just like Japan used to copy Europe quite a bit. Maybe the Koreans need to differentiate what exactly is different between Korea and Japan. Then take that idea and put it into their cars. Otherwise it becomes another Jap styled car at a reduced price.

You brought up their handling isn't as good as Mazdas? Why you put Mazda on there when Kia is outselling Mazda anyway?

If buying a car was based solely on design and packaging decisions....but it is not. I will consider engineering, handling, feel, textures, noises, smells, paint color, interior design, ergonomics, options/features...

I agree. It is not based solely on design. However design sometimes
gets you in the door to customer interest. I think some of Kia and Hyundai interior designs are a bit lacking. Some of it looks "old school". That only contributes to the "bargain basement" alternative to Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda. No question the Korean's make an improved product then they used to. They are too much of a "me too" philosophy. If Korea is going to get ahead of Japan they have to come out with designs that are more "concept car" in nature. There suspensions need to as good as if "designed by Lotus". Otherwise they are always going to be the "cut price" alternative.

"Also as it's been said the Korean's are copycats of the Japanese just like Japan used to copy Europe quite a bit. Maybe the Koreans need to differentiate what exactly is different between Korea and Japan."


Greenhouses: Altima, Avalon, Fusion, VW Passat, Imapala, Sentra, Chrysler 200 but you rather play dumb and pretend copying ain't in there.

Hmmm, Mazda 6 and Acura ZDX hint side profiles. 2016 Honda Pilot and Chevy Traverse side profiles. 2009 Suburu Impraza hatch, Mazda CX-5 and Infinti EX hint greenhouses.

Also ignoring Soul, Kia Cross GT, 3rd genration Sedona, Kia GT4 Stinger, Optima, Sportage, 2nd generation cee'd, Venga, Veloster, have more orignal lines and designs than their competition. Unless you want to still pretend the 3rd generation Pilot is more orignal than the Soul.

They're really good for what they are! Their buyers get a big bang for the buck, for sure. I'm just not crazy about their styling, and I prefer something more luxurious. At this time, an 2015 Audi Q5 TDI is looking like it suits me best, and is likely to be my next ride.

Hyundai and Kia definitely build good products. They are nicely design and nicely executed.

But until the Koreans introduce truly groundbreaking technologies or products (I can't think of any, but correct me if I'm wrong), they will always be seen as bridesmaids. Toyota, Honda, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes, Acura, and Lexus all have rich histories of groundbreaking innovation (technologies and products) and setting benchmarks in the industry. Today, the Koreans are still just known as companies that offer solid alternatives. Until Hyundai or Kia introduce a technology or product that leads the industry, they will continue to be followers and not leaders.

Now it's my turn to talk. I love how people act like Hyundai and Kia didn't take out Saturn, Suzuki, Isuzu, and Daewoo. I love how we rather play dumb and stupid that 10 years ago Hyundai's quailty was already above adverage. Also like to play dumb that Sonata, Optima, Soul and Sorento has sold over 100K units YTD many times. Also we say, "Cheaper alternatives?" The Soul is not a cheaper alternative when it is outselling the Scion XB and Juke and Cube. What's the Soul an alternative too when it is detrhroned the XB? But don't put that to affect. That the Soul saved that segment allowing the HR-V and Renegade and Chevy to enter that market since the Scion XB couldn't get the job done. Yet don't put that the Soul EV has no competitiors in the baby CUV EV class. So what's the cheaper alternative to the Soul EV? What's the cheaper alternative to the upcoming 2016 Optima Wagon? The not so selling Cross Tour? Also if it's a cheaper alternative, why people paying over $30K for a fully loaded Optima and Sonata? Obviously people who own a 30K Optima SX with no deal or lease must be successful. Why would middle class buy a 36K Optima when he/she can buy an alternative like a Rio? Yet the Optima, one of Kia's most expensive products, is dogging Rios? So lets get something straight, each month the Optima, Sorento, Soul, Sonata, Elantra, Tucson and new Sedona outsells their prodesuccer they already are building brand awarness each day. Stop trying to act like it's 1998 all over again.

As for the Genesis? Ignoring the other cheaper altenrative Pontiac G8. But don't put out the Genesis is still here and Pontaic ains't. Unless Hyundai was the cheaper alternative to Pontaic too and that Pontiac was as expensive as Toyota. Do we want to play dumb act like Pontiac wasn't a cheaper alternative to Toyota and Honda too?


Speaking of the Korean sterotypes. I see we like to play dumb that the Equinox and Cruz are really Daewoos with Chevy badges on them. Hurry up with my neagive votes.




Mostly women buying Kias? What does that mean? Ignoring that Mitsubishi, Saturn, VW are mostly women.

As far as Hyundai's handling goes? I see y'all rather play dumb in acting like Hyundai didn't just hire BMW's exective to correct their handling. After that gets corrected, then what's next?

0% for 84 months on a lot of Hyundai models where I live. That helps.

I also love how people are going to act like Mitsubishi isn't an alternative to Toyota and Honda as well.

jtz7 you must drive a Hyundai or Kia? So upset about people not loving these cars. I don't think anyone will disagree that both Hyundai and Kia have made huge strides in the last decade and have become competitive, but they are no Jedi yet. And yes, here in the Northeast I see far more women driving these brands than I do men. Mitsubishi's are crap cars nowadays, however they have more cred then Hyundai and Kia as they produced the eclipse in the 90's which was one the most popular cars of it's time. And yes, I have no desire to drive a Hyundai or Kia. I would feel like I was settling if I bought one. As for vehicles like the Scion XB, Juke and Cube, they are not even proper cars in my opinion. They are after thoughts and the ugly step children of the brands that make them. You don't get a pat on the back for outselling these ugly ducklings. And if you are a person that has spend over $30K for new Optima or Sonata, then I would suggest you keep that knowledge to yourself as not to look foolish.

Is that all you got bigheadmazda? Ignoring the Sportage was a popular CUV in the 90's.

Scion Xb not popular? Ignoring it's one of Scions best sellers.

Foolish to spend $30K for a Kia? Ignoring it's more foolish to spend $50K for a Volt when the Prius getts better mpg and cheaper.

Also funny you bring up women drive Hyundais. Ignoring the Spider, and Eclispse is a girly ride.

What's there to be foolish paying 30K for a Hyundai or Kia compared to once upon a time paying 30K for Iszuz, Pontiac, Saturn, or Suzuki? Only difference is Hyundai/Kia is still here.

Oh, may I also add, the Optima is one of the best looking cars in it's class. So why would some one be ashamed to drive one? It already breached 14K a month before and outsold the Passat numberious times. Is it because the Optima is cheap? So why didn't the Galant from the brand you say is better than Kia outsell the Optima and Passat then?