Forbes Declares "Year Of The Hyundai"

The Koreans are beating the Japanese, the Americans, and the Europeans. They deserve credit for a job well done. Honda's are too noisy (road noise), and ride too harshly. Toyota's are ugly and overpriced. Hard to imagine, a country which makes such beautiful motorcycles, how Toyota can survive with the styling they have. They need to hire away some stylists from Kawasaki. So many criticize Hyundai/Kia, go drive their latest cars. See for yourself, they are the real deal.

While the Genesis doesn't quite drive as well as the 5-series, it's definitely comparable to the E-Class or the LS... very comparable. Quality is good and the ride, while not great, is not as stupidly stiff as Mr.Runflat over there in the corner. - While the IQS is of dubious applicability in terms of reliability, it at least indicates that a lot of care goes into screwing together modern Hyundais. And I know quite a few owners of the newer model platforms who are quite satisfied with their rides. - Honda? Lagging? They're neck-in-neck with Toyota in terms of fuel economy, and are second-to-none in terms of engine technology. Their cars are well-screwed together and feel pretty solid. They're expensive, but they offer higher content than most, mechanically... you can buy a 5-speed automatic in the Fit which is miles better than the old 4ATs in most of the competition. The only complaint I can level against Hondas is that they seem to have been road-tested exclusively by engineers who are as fit as Formula One drivers... leading to cars that corner well, ride stiffly, and have seats that are only comfortable for twenty-year olds with six-pack abs, and not thirty year olds with beer bellies.

All those doodads and gizmos and fancy-shmancy marketing... When Hyundai learns to make a suspension that doesn't whine, crash, bang and thunk, I may take notice. Until then, they're a poseur of a real car company.

From experience with a 2000 Hyundai Tiburon and a 2004 Kia Sedona, the initial quality part is great. Long term? Not so great. Both vehicles had a myriad of problems a couple of years in (both had to have catalytic converters replaced around 70k miles for one). Interestingly we received initial quality surveys but never any a couple of years in. They are certainly improving, but the down time my wife and I have dealt with have put us off from the brand. The Kia is still a major issue that we're looking at a possible legal resolution since they don't want to budge after the cats failed (under and replaced by warranty) and caused more damage to the engine.