WHY Does Hyundai Keep Getting Designs SO Wrong Yet Kia SO Right?

Every once and a while, we like to stop and look around. Especially when it comes to design.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. Design is still what largely sells today's automobiles outside of price/packaging.

So, when the Agents see an automaker really missing with its design, we've got to point it out. The latest to "eat it?"

That would be Hyundai.

Just looking around the 2019 New York Auto Show (NYIAS), you had several examples to look at. First, you have the all-new Palisade full-size sport-utility vehicle. Then, the all-new 2020 Sonata. And, the worst of the pack, the all-new Venue.

While the Palisade and Sonata have peculiar facades, the interiors are rather bland and seemingly cheap. The Venue is otherworldly bad. It reminds us of Hyundai from the early 2000s — in other words, it's a horror show.

But, here's the funny thing: Kia is crushing it from a design standpoint. And, yes, we know it's due to Peter Schreyer's influence; however, he oversaw both brands' designs up until November.

So, we've got to ask: WHY are Hyundai's designs SO wrong yet Kia's SO right?

valhallakey - 4/23/2019 1:19:04 AM

+2 Boost

Kia walked into a good grill design. It seems a never ending struggle among the automakers to get a recognizable grill that looks nice (or can look nice ex: BMW X7 vs M6). It seems like a good grill takes some of the pressure off to do the look at me thing with lots of strange shapes and creases. Of course there are notable exceptions. An alternative explanation is the Kia is the conservative design and they get more adventurous with Hyundai.

runninglogan1 - 4/23/2019 2:06:58 AM

+3 Boost

I like both of them.

TomM - 4/23/2019 4:22:22 AM

+3 Boost

THe Hyundai reminds me of Infiniti

However - I am not into either look.

Truthy - 4/23/2019 6:41:00 AM

-1 Boost

I do not see this design gap.

vdiv - 4/23/2019 10:26:22 AM

+2 Boost

Isn't KIA's design team out in Cali or something?

xjug1987a - 4/23/2019 2:35:59 PM

0 Boost

Their design is better than alot of other OEM's... GM for example...

dumpsty - 4/23/2019 3:49:36 PM

+3 Boost

Never thought Hyundai designs were so "off base". They continue to offer a unique perspective year-after-year. But overall, the brands have definite cultural difference in how they perceive luxury & sport-oriented vehicles. Looking at their own domestic offerings shows why the US gets certain designs.

The Genesis brand is their honest "college try" at creating something "American". Kinda like VW purposely creating a "bland" design for US consumption.

skytop - 4/23/2019 10:54:35 PM

+1 Boost

When I close my eyes, they both look fine on the exteriors. Of course, I wouldn't own either of these ugly tubs.

jtz7 - 4/24/2019 7:45:15 PM

+1 Boost

Even the Tusker looks better than the Kona