Hyundai as a brand gets all the credit for quality improvements, but Kia is really the same exact cars in a different outfit. I find the new Kias to be much better looking than their Hyundai counterparts, especially the new Kia Optima!

 

I concur with you on the Kia . I read on the car mag saying that Kia had a German design new optima ,so may be that's one of the main reasons why they look so aggressive yet more discerning appearance than the rest of its rivals

 

i agree also, KIA is one of the best world buys.

seen a new Optima today, very nice.

 

We bought a new Hyundai XG350L in 2002. We sold it a few months ago with 238,000 miles on it. It still looked and ran perfectly. They've got the quality thing down cold.

 

I just test drove a Kia Forte, Optima and Hyundai Sonata this weekend (new). I have to say, I was blown away!

Both the Optima and Sonata drive better than my X350. They ride better, are more agile/tossable, and have more peppy engines. That's not to say that my Jag isn't much faster and more beautiful inside/out (it is), but it is embarrassing that this new line of Korean cars can match or beat my X350 in most aspects.

Interior quality of materials on both cars are still kind of par if not sub-par. Amazing level of standard equipment, though.

Plus the Optima is absolutely gorgeous! Kia Optima wallpaper # 06 of 15, Front Angle, MY 2011, 800x600

 

Alan,

Agree with most of your post, but----when you get those cars over broken pavement, cobblestones or RR tracks you will get an education.

Two years ago I was hot for a Hyundai Genesis. This is their "flagship model" Lucky for me a friend bought one first. It was all you said and more. But it would not buggie on anything less that a smooth surface. In fact, over rough pavement it just lost its mind. I was doing research on the Hyundai Forum and there were a group of owners who were just ape **** over the entire suspension situation. It was very similar to our feelings relative to the 350's air suspension and more.

Said friend then decided to put Summer performance tires on the Genesis. Bad move! He should have known better. It destroyed whatever good ride qualities the car had. He sold the car.

Lesson learned? It is a great car for the money. But not a car for the Jaguar oriented driver.

 

everyone has an opinion!
ther was an article in a car magazine,about a month back,
a VERY rich car guy in south fl, has a collection of around 30 cars,was being interveiwed by a car journalist.

he has a valuable 1965 Ferrari 365 GTB.
when asked what his daily driver is,he said he drives rentals, right now a 2011 Hyundai ACCENT , what surprised him, it actually drives and handles better than his mint Ferrari, quieter, smoother, brakes , and good performance up to around 75mph, where the Ferr. finally pulls ahead.

and way better on fuel! accent.

his opinion is most people do not realize how much improved NEW cars have become.

THX Ron

 

They do make nice cars now, and they have improved to the point that they are capable of giving the other East Asian automakers a real run for their money.

 

The Sonata is the ultimate bang-for-buck on the road today imho. Among new cars that is. You can get better cars (for more money) but the Sonata marks the price point after which diminishing returns set in.

 

My in-law's have a 2005 and 2008 Sonata and Azera respectively. We have a '05 Kia Sedona. All three have been very good vehicles. The days of this company making garbage cars are well behind them and I think anyone that doesn't at least go look if they are in the market for a new car are really screwing themselves out of a potentially great deal.

 

I was really taken with the Genesis design when it came out a few years ago. Since then it had been one styling triumph after another. The genie is due for a design refresh soon. I look forward to it. If they put a more sophisticated power plant/suspension in it I would be a customer but then they would lose their current "value" market.

A friend of mine bought a Genie when they first came out. He loved the car for it's features and comfort but didn't like the way it handled over less than perfect road surfaces. He installed Summer High Performance tires on it. Yeah I know, go figure! Those tires ruined what composure the car had and he traded it off in disgust.

Even so, as a daily driver (should I need such a car) the Genesis is a contender, less High Perf Tires of course.

 

I think the majority of the replies above are pretty much on the money when they say that Hyundai is making rapid changes for the better, and Jim put his finger right on it (or into it?) when he pointed out that they are making other builders sit up and take notice. If I were in the position of having to buy an East Asian entry-to-mid-level car now, I would definitely head for the Hyundai showroom.
Jeff