Is There Room in the Luxury Market for Hyundai?

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Comments

  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Touche! ;)

    PROVIDED Lexus actually was it's own company. They built not just a car, but a company, to beat any other.

    I'll make a deal with you. If Hyundai can ever sit at the same table as Mercedes, in this country, I'll eat your hat!

    DrFill
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Reason #11 I don't read Karl.....

    DrFill
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    You can do the same thing with the Honda CR-V. :confuse:

    The difference between these two? 10 years of development, thousands of sales a month, and the admiration of an entire industry.

    You didn't think I could tell, did you? :blush:

    DrFill
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Sometimes I seriously wonder if he has inhaled a bit too much high octane exhaust fumes.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    They are pretty similar. ;)

    OH! And one is a Lexus. :shades:

    DrFill
  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    On what planet does a 7 seat, $27k CUV compete with a $40k+, 5 seat, luxury CUV?

    The planet where a "$40k+, 5 seat, luxury CUV" is a rebadged Toyota Harrier. There is a case to be made that Hyundai isn't ready to play in the high-mainstream luxury segment, but that case can't be built on the RX.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    I would agree. People seem to think that the RX is this amazing vehicle and just so competition crushing etc. but in reality it is just great marketing. The car is reliable, quiet and marketed to women perfectly. That is why it sells not because it is some engineering achievement or a technological tour de force.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    If you do it right, before anyone else, success comes rather easily.

    They have the right formula, and that hasn't changed.

    Don't hate it 'cause it's beautiful. :blush:

    DrFill
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Don't hate it 'cause it's beautiful.

    Dude it is not beautiful.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Ok, Dude. Everybody buys it because it's ugly. ;)

    Have it your way, right away.

    DrFill
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Just like Burger King. :P ;)

    I didn't say it was ugly I just said it wasn't beautiful.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,498
    The RX is anything but pretty (not that the Veracruz is a beauty queen)
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Ditto to your comments about the RX350, br. It ain't great, nor up to Lexus standards. Doesn't have the feel.

    But, what a knock-off! I didn't realize until you put the side by side up. That type of imitation is pretty bizarre to me - but it will sell like hot cakes to the people who are cheap, but don't want to appear that way. And, it's probably a great car too.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Banker, babe, does it really surprise you?

    The look, the Motor Trend article, the advertising.

    Hyundai orchestrated all of that. Bless 'em! They spent the dollars, and took a shot.

    And the market has spoken. :lemon:

    If they were selling 4-5k a month, Hyundai wouldn't let you hear the end of it. Even if they could outsell the CX-9, Hyundai would be knighted as the hottest thing since pockets! :surprise:

    And the apologists here will rattle off all sorts of excuses, but how do they explain the Ford Edge? It can outsell a Toyota Highlander! And the vehicle isn't even that good! Look at the reviews! The Vereacruz is probably twice the vehicle the Edge is! :surprise:

    As it turns out, greatness, thy name is not Hyundai..... :P

    Are you surprised?

    DrFill
  • mpuzachmpuzach Member Posts: 635
    Some people here need to get over themselves and grow up. Geez, this sounds like Romper Room, for crying out loud.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    The Lexus RX looks like an easter egg that some kid dipped in glitter. What an UGLY vehicle. Then I rarely like what a woman would buy in a vehicle. I can see a lot of folks dumping their RX when their ARM kicks in and jumps their home mortgage payment. They will want the luxury of the RX with the price of the VeraCruz. Plus they have a couple more kids to squeeze into those sardine can sized CUVs.

    I think with the luxury brands building entry level vehicles and the standard brands plushing out their top of the line vehicles, the water is very muddy. Why would anyone buy as ES350 when they can get a loaded Camry for a lot less?

    It may take time but people will wise up.
  • fourteen14fourteen14 Member Posts: 85
    "Would you buy a luxury version of a Hyundai?"

    We already have - a 2006 Azera Limited/Ultimate! When we wanted to replace my wife's 2003 Acura TL, we looked at the new TLs, the Infiniti G35s, the Accords, the Mercedes, the Mazdas, the Altimas, and the Camrys. Each was attractive in someways, but lacking in others. Although not greatly concerned about price, I insist upon getting excellent value. Then while looking at a Mazda the salesman asked: "Have you looked at the new Azera?". To which I of course replied: "The new what?!?". Well, it was love at first sight for both of us! When we examined the features, the build quality, the looks, the fact that each component of the car was better than it needed to be or than the competition had, (larger, more sophisticated engine, larger tires, plush interior, large inside but small outside, damped grab bars, fully lined trunk, LED tail lights, rear sunshade, better stereo, better warranty, etc, etc, etc!), plus the fire sale price, that was the car for her! Eighteen months later, she is still delighted!!

    The Genesis looks to be a larger, more luxurious, more powerful, even more sophisticated, more upscale, Azera at a price that will outclass the competition by thousands of dollars. A loaded TL now lists for about $42,000! Apparently the Genesis will be significantly nicer for maybe $10,000 less!! Plus we really enjoy driving something special, not just another overpriced, mundane Mercedes or brassy BMW!

    The Genesis should be most attractive to those of us who look for a high class car - not just a 'high class' nametag!
  • mpuzachmpuzach Member Posts: 635
    In addition, the Genesis will be available with a V8 putting out (in Hyundai's words) "well over 300 horsepower". If the rest of the car is decent, Acura (who doesn't have a V8 in their entire line-up) should be concerned.
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Honda, will be finished !!! :D

    -Rocky
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    And the market has spoken.

    Who cares about market and sales voodoo? What difference does it make to the owner? Does sales make a car more reliable? More luxurious? A better value? A better warranty?

    Go take a trip in your pile of sales charts, and I'll take a trip in my Hyundai. We'll see who gets there first. While on my trip, I'll be laughing at all those Toyata owners that paid too much, and got shorted on the warranty. ;)

    In all seriousness, Hyundai is in a part of the business cycle that Toyota was in over 20 years ago. Toyota had to garner 1. Name recognition 2. Respect for their quality and reliability. 3. Expand their line to more upscale markets.

    Hyundai is just now making inroads into No. 2. Although Hyundai is fast tracking things, give them a little more time. The results will be the same as Toyota. How they get there doesn't matter. All is fair in business.

    DrFill, I do believe I detect jealousy that your beloved Toyota is not busting out with fine new models like Hyundai is currently doing. All the :lemon: signs can only mean you are feeling threatened.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Who cares about market and sales voodoo? What difference does it make to the owner?

    What owners? That's the whole point! :P

    In all seriousness, Hyundai is in a part of the business cycle that Toyota was in over 20 years ago.

    You said it! Hyundai is 2 decades behind Toyota. Now you're cookin' with gas! ;)

    DrFill, I do believe I detect jealousy that your beloved Toyota is not busting out with fine new models like Hyundai is currently doing. All the signs can only mean you are feeling threatened.

    The full-court press by Hyundai to go after their American Idol says differently. :blush:

    DrFill
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    You said it! Hyundai is 2 decades behind Toyota. Now you're cookin' with gas!

    Yes! Think about it! Although Toyota had a 20 year head start, Hyundai is already equal to Toyota in quality and reliability. Hyundai is improving at a rate that Toyota has never acheived. That doesn't bode well for Toyota. In only 2-3 years, Hyundai will best them (and make no mistake about it, that's Hyundai's goal) in every possible category. In 5-6 years, even your beloved sales will be in jeopardy.

    That was a quick reply. It must be a slow sales day on the Toyota lot. :lemon:
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    It must be a slow sales day on the Toyota lot.

    You guys are pretty thick.

    But you keep reach reaching for the stars! ;)

    Sorry to disturb your dream-posting. I'll keep it down.

    DrFill
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    I can tell you sales are slow at Toyota dealers. Maybe all the car dealers. The first time I went to Poway Toyota was about a year ago. I walked all over the lot sat in vehicles in the showroom and never saw a soul. I left and went across the street to pick up my GMC that was getting the oil changed. Last Saturday when we went up to close the deal I had made on the Internet for a new Sequoia, there were 5 salesmen standing around the stairs like vultures. When I told them the name of the person I was there to see they all kind of shrugged their shoulders and pointed inside. The finance guy confirmed that sales were in the toilet compared to a year ago.

    Toyota will have to drop prices to keep competing as people shop more and buy less. Hyundai is in a good position to make gains. To me it is design and warranty that is better than Toyota. I like my new Sequoia. You could not give me a Camry.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    Hyundai, don't Americans like nicely-styled, rear-wheel drive luxurily-appointed cars? Are you thinking Cadidillac?

    For around $30,000 for starters? Feel free to tell me they decided to make the Genesis FWD and this is all a dream. If you can. Otherwise I am going to continue to believe that there is a large amount of room in the luxury market for Hyundai.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • scbobscbob Member Posts: 167
    I looked very hard at the Avalon Limited, but to me the car is poorly designed inside and out. Parked next to one yesterday and looked again-still ugly. Neither it, the Lexus ES or the Lexus GS look like a luxury sedan.
    Also, it is no more reliable than the Azera, comes with less and costs $5,000 more.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Our neighbor bought an Azera. It is a lot better looking than the offerings from ToyLex.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Not trying to knock on the Azera, which is a very well executed near-luxury sedan by the way and I think it is the best looking one on the street. However, the Lexus ES is totally out of Azera's league and not to mention the GS. Hyundai needs to do MUCH BETTER with the Genesis if they want it to compete in the 5/E/GS segment.

    As for between Azera and Avalon I will choose Azera too. The Avalon is a better car IMO but at least for me, it is not $5K better. However, this could differ from people to people.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    These three won't change the rest of the country's mind about the Azera, nice car that it is.

    They have it shaming Avalon, and Lexus, and fortunately, the people know better. :D

    Hasn't exactly moved the Earth in comparisons, either. :blush:

    DrFill
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Hey, Doc, you know me, worried? Nah... ;)

    It's just funny that some people would compare Azera to the ES (and GS, this is the first I'd have to say) and say that the Azera is better. It's even funnier that people would say something like the GS and ES doesn't look like a luxury car.

    I really want to take them to the auto show and give them a lesson myself. :P
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    That's fine. But it's the details that make it great.

    Crash tests, resale, word-of-mouth, sales increases, these are all indicators.

    You can learn from them. Or not. :blush:

    DrFill
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    "The Vereacruz is probably twice the vehicle the Edge is!"

    People who are looking at a Ford Edge probably won;t look at a Vera Cruz they'll probably look at a Santa Fe if they are shopping an Edge against a Hyundai product.
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    "A loaded TL now lists for about $42,000!"

    I thought a TL lists for like 33.5K-35K not 42K like your saying.
  • mpuzachmpuzach Member Posts: 635
    A "base" Acura TL with nav stickers for $36,940 (including destination).

    A Type S with high-performance tires (the only available extra-cost option; nav is standard) stickers for $39,140 (including destination).
  • ykangykang Member Posts: 88
    Honda, will be finished !!!

    -Rocky

    You've gone too far. :P
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    The most expensive Acura TL-S with nav and summer tires is 39,140.

    A base TL with the automatic is 33,725.
  • de77de77 Member Posts: 40
    Unfortunately, folks that don't make $300,000 a year will probably feel the HUGE hit of depreciation the Hyundai's are so infamous for socking their owner's in the pocket with much more than you will.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    People who are looking at a Ford Edge probably won;t look at a Vera Cruz they'll probably look at a Santa Fe if they are shopping an Edge against a Hyundai product

    Oh, but they'll compare it with a Lexus $10k more expensive? But not a similar vehicle, at a similar price?

    That makes sense! Explains the low sales targets. :surprise:

    Now I understand. ;)

    DrFill
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    You've gone too far.

    We will see but I have a feeling hyundai, will take enough away from Honyota, that real damage will be done. ;)

    -Rocky
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    "We will see but I have a feeling hyundai, will take enough away from Honyota, that real damage will be done."

    What is Hyundai gonna jump up 100,000 with each passing year for the next 10 years to catch Honda? I don;t think so. I;ll give you Hyundai is making a good product but they are not gonna race up the sales charts that fast.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    We will see but I have a feeling hyundai, will take enough away from Honyota, that real damage will be done.

    Looks like a vicious case of Dain Bramage!

    #200! Woo-Hoo! :D

    DrFill
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    What is Hyundai gonna jump up 100,000 with each passing year for the next 10 years to catch Honda?

    No but they can take 50,000 sales away from Toyota, and 50,000 more sales from Honda, over 10 years and they will be a major player in a decade or so. I think Hyundia/Kia, in 15-20 years could be as larger than Honda or even as large as Toyota. :)

    Call it brain damage DrFill, but my gut tells me I'm correct. ;)

    -Rocky
  • ykangykang Member Posts: 88
    Hyundia/Kia, in 15-20 years could be as larger than Honda

    They are already larger than Honda worldwide but Honda sells more cars in US. :P
    When they release Genesis and RWD coupe, US market will shake at least a little bit, IMO.
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    They are already larger than Honda worldwide but Honda sells more cars in US.

    I was pretty sure they Hyundai/Kia were larger worldwide, but should of added in the U.S. to avoid the confusion. ;)

    -Rocky
  • scbobscbob Member Posts: 167
    I said the Azera is larger than a GS - and it is. See the reviews on Consumer Reports regarding the GS and all its deficiencies. Two years ago it had average reliability and Azera had much better than average.
    Also, it does not look like a luxury sedan.
    I even had a dealer tell me people were picking the ES over the GS because of its downsides.
    Granted Lexus will have a better ride, re-sell, etc., but the Azera would be a close contender if they could get the suspension corrected.
    I drove the ES, GS, etc. several times before forming my opinion. I looked in great detail, read a lot and used lots of research tools.
    BTW, I have a Toyota RAV4, had a Camry XLE and placed my sister in a Camry.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Banker, babe, does it really surprise you?

    The look, the Motor Trend article, the advertising.

    Hyundai orchestrated all of that. Bless 'em! They spent the dollars, and took a shot.

    And the market has spoken.


    Right you are again, Dr..... As pretty as the Azera is, most sales are probably rentals, it's not popping..... I don't think people are anywhere close to considering Hyundai a "status brand", ie; Luxury.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Granted Lexus will have a better ride, re-sell, etc., but the Azera would be a close contender if they could get the suspension corrected.

    Wow, where have I been - I had no idea the Azera was a RWD car! I'm a Hyundai fan, BTW - but think you're drunk if you can compare any of them to a Lexus - possibly the ES, (which I do not like), but not a GS. Not until Hyundai gets their RWD car out. Then, we can talk again...
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    That's a good point.

    I've forgotten that Hyundai is big into fleet, up to 30+% on some models. :surprise:

    DrFill
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Seriously, if I bought an Azera, very nice car that it is - people who saw me would think I'm down on my luck! Same thing that happens when I'm in a rental Taurus. If a Professor buys one, people will think he's wise - if a Banker drives one - he's concerned over the market! Funny, but true. Hyundai doesn't come close yet to playing with the big boys... Even Cadillac is barely back in the game, and Lincoln dropped out about 2000...... Acura isn't quite there either....almost, but not quite.
  • mpuzachmpuzach Member Posts: 635
    ...and shouldn't be considered the basis for whether or not Hyundai can compete in the luxury segment. A much more valid basis will be the upcoming Genesis (or whatever it's named by the time it's released). Whether it is or is not a legitimate contender can't be determined until the car actually arrives; until then, this is little more than a few people trying to push their own unfounded opinions onto others.
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