Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options

Is There Room in the Luxury Market for Hyundai?

16791112142

Comments

  • cotmccotmc Member Posts: 1,081
    "Let's compare a Tahoe to a Mercedes GL
    And 350Z to a Corvette."


    or let's really go crazy!
    Let's compare a 4Runner Ltd to a GX470
    and maybe a Camry XLE to an ES? ;)

    By the way, y'all, Toyota was not the first Japanese car company to introduce high-line branding to the US. I believe Honda beat them by a couple of years, with the Acura Legend.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Don't forget Chrysler Cirrus/Dodge Stratus. ;)

    I see a lot of nice reviews, which I can see on a Fusion, or any car really.

    Don't see one that compares apples to oranges, yet.

    But the night is young. :blush:

    All I'm saying is if you want Lexus so bad, you know what you have to do, Cowboy.

    I think Hyundai will have a very nice Chrysler 300 competitor. That's good, right? :D

    DrFill
  • pinehurst2pinehurst2 Member Posts: 13
    Damn Doc.

    Give it a rest.

    Hyundai builds a good vehicle, but they're not really a sales threat, so why worry 'bout it? Aside from the Santa Fe and the Elantra and maybe the Sonata, the lineup doesn't pull in the buyers. Look at the lukewarm acceptance of the Azera.

    I guess it is a bit fun to run through the Hyundai hen house here, cause you WILL stir 'em up, but I think the Genesis has a good chance to succeed.

    Let it.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    if you softly succumb to the good doc that easily you will take away his fun. You see, we are all here to let him keep up his fantasy that Toyota is still No.1 in the world and though their quality is now officially suffering(even CR rag admits that they can no longer call every Toyota a "recommended" pick for it's readers...whoa...that's news Charlie Brown!!)we want Doc to keep up his silly charade that Toyota is the cat's meow.

    It keeps his blood pumping strong and we want our good doctor to stay healthy. Please just play along. I mean, don't you know that Hyundai and Kia are just playing along, too?

    Most of us get it that Toyota is a huge appliance maker that sorely lacks a real body design department like Hyundai/Kia's. That they lack total confidence in their engineering/quality control manufacturing departments to the tune of not offering their buyer's a decent Warranty.

    What is a mystery is why and how they sell as many cars as they do. Let's all play along, K? Sit back for a moment and wait for the tsunami to swarm us and convince us that Hyundai should just throw in the towel and give up on trying to commandeer a luxury audience. It will be good for us to know that Hyundai/Kia are washabe's that dardent stand a tootin' chance. Play with us, please. :D

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    4. There is a big difference between near-luxury and luxury.

    Money wise, yes. Car wise, no. Don't drink the skunky water.

    7. To Hyundai: It takes patience and money to make money and take the road that's less traveled.

    That's really priceless. You're saying that instead of producing great cars now, Hyundai should be patient, and wait until later to produce great cars. :D

    Too late! Hyundai already builds great cars. You can't put the genie back in the bottle.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    It sells 1500 a month. Should it be taken seriously for any reason?

    There you go again, comparing sales. If you compare the cars, you lose.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Quit dreaming! :confuse:

    Name a comparison, other than the MT hoax, where a Hyundai won the comparison?

    Elantra? Sant Fe? Sonata? Veracruz vs Highlander? Pilot? Buying a Hyundai is NOT about having a superior machine. Certainly not against a Lexus. :lemon:

    Just because the tore apart a 99 RX300, rebuilt it, added a 3rd row seat, and and then commissioned MT to appraise their facsimile, doesn't make it a Lexus. Just ask an owner after 3 years.

    The umpteenth reason not to lend credence to this MT comparison, which cheerleaders are hanging their hat on.

    When we compar 350Z to Corvettes, then we can compare Hyundais to Lexus. Not before.

    If Hyundai wants to take comparisons seriously, they need to make a serious investment. That's fair, right?

    Why should they get a free ride. :mad:

    DrFill
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Check post #393 for my response.

    DrFill
  • craigmricraigmri Member Posts: 243
    "Name a comparison, other than the MT hoax, where a Hyundai won the comparison? "

    Fill, since you get so much pleasure here in Edmunds, certainly you value this organization right?

    http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=106434

    Or is this a hoax too?

    Hyundai wins again! Not just competes....WINS! BTW, You get cudos for helping make this one of the most active threads in Edmunds....This will certainly give Hyundai greater exposure and with all the great links to facts provided people will learn just how good Hyundai is....Thanks fill!

    Craig
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Just like MT, the game is pretty easy when it's stacked in your favor.

    Playtime's over, boy.

    http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=109710/pageId=692- - - 96

    They all but said: We threw them a bone, tried to put them over, but in the real world, they sit with the domestics. Nice try, doh.

    I thought you could tell a weighted comparison from one that is not. But you do subscribe to MT, so I guess I give you too much credit, yes?

    Copying a last-generation car well doesn't a winning formula make.

    Unless you are a charity case. ;)

    DrFill
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Money wise, yes. Car wise, no. Don't drink the skunky "water."

    Hmm. I don't buy that. It's like saying a Honda Pilot with leather seats and DVD compares to a Porsche Cayenne Turbo or is maybe better because it has DVD.

    Those who have driven let's say the X5 4.8 will be able to compare a luxury vehicle to a near luxury vehicle with a clearer demarcation. I have no doubt Hyundai is capable of producing a car with leather seats and bluetooth and HID, but I won't call it luxury unless it measures up to the standards of a luxury vehicle.

    There are those who are less discriminating and might call the aforementioned Pilot with leather seats luxury, and that is part of the conversation.
  • craigmricraigmri Member Posts: 243
    "They all but said: We threw them a bone, tried to put them over, but in the real world, they sit with the domestics. Nice try, doh."

    No fill, YOU said that not Edmunds. You asked me to produce an example of Hyundai winning a comparo and I have already produced two. That Edmunds comparo was based on comparable priced cars and the Hyundai Won. Nothing changes that. The article you produced is a different comparo not based on comparable priced cars.

    Curious what your motive is here. Are you in the car biz? You sure as heck ain't a Doctor!

    Craig
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Hyundai is a big winner. They should be very proud. As should you be! I applaud you both.

    If you don't mind the hand-out, why should I right?

    My mistake. ;)

    DrFill
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    Well,,, you can throw all kinds of weird comparisons out there. Most of them come up apples and oranges, as you hinted at. The only way to do a real comparison is to start with the only true common denominator: PRICE.

    What's the best CUV you can buy for $30K and under? How about $35K?

    I submit that the Hyundai Sonata, Azera, Santa Fe, Veracruz, and (soon) Genesis win their price class. They all have the styling, engineering, quality, reliability, performance, options, safety, and warranty that it takes to make their customers feel they got their money's worth. Read it again. That's a formidible lineup. It's just a matter of time before those cars are discovered by the general public. Meanwhile, I'll enjoy my semi-exclusive car.

    I know what you're going to say, but it is about the price. It's always about the price. A car that costs $10K more should be way better, and should not even be compared to a less expensive car. The fact they are compared hints that maybe someone isn't getting their 10K's worth. But, it's only money.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Who compares a Veracruz with a Lexus has lost credibility with me.

    Let's compare a Tahoe to a Mercedes GL


    I have done both. I was not overly impressed with Lexus or the GL I drove. I do not like the looks of the new Tahoe/Yukon. I ended up buying a Sequoia Limited 4WD. I think with the panic in the market, it was the most bang for the buck. Only have 500 miles on it and am pleased with all but the NAV.

    If I wanted a small CUV I would have bought the Veracruz not the RX. It would have been based on dealer experience. I have had great service with Drew Ford/VW/Hyundai. I have had poor experience with Bob Baker Lexus.

    The GX470 is way over rated and over priced. It was just a $56k 4Runner. I will keep my $15k in the bank and settle for the Toyota. Same goes for the RX350, it is just an over priced Highlander that is quite frankly less attractive.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    I ended up buying a Sequoia Limited 4WD.

    Congratulations! Nice vehicle indeed! It's probably the best car in its price class.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Thanks for backing me up, and underscoring my point.

    Apparently everyone here is the exception, and every survey over the lat 15 years is wrong, but what are the chances someone will find the car, dealer experience, risk factor, and service better at a Hyundai dealer than Lexus?

    You have to consider all factors.

    Chances are pretty slim. Like lottery odds slim. :blush:

    DrFill
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    "Well,,, you can throw all kinds of weird comparisons out there. Most of them come up apples and oranges, as you hinted at"

    If this is being called "luxury" then it should be measured in the "luxury" segment.

    If you want to say the Veracruz has the best doodads/$ ratio of any CUV under $30K that might be a true statement. If you want to say it appears Hyundai has a great product at a reasonable price, I would kind-of agree. But calling it "luxury" is a misnomer when one examines some "real luxury" vehicles.

    It's always about the price, the question is how high. I'm am sure Lexus owners can point to what makes their vehicles a luxury item, while Verzcruz potentials dismiss these same items or say there is no difference.

    I don't buy the hoopla in the press, never did. You have to be comfortable with what you buy and why you want it. I'm not a Lexus fanbody or a Hyundai hater. It may be a good value for the dollar, but Lexus is not about value. It's about producing luxury vehicles, and therein lies the difference.
  • craigmricraigmri Member Posts: 243
    "Only have 500 miles on it and am pleased with all but the NAV.

    Gagrice,

    My brother-in-law and I recently tested the Sequoia and liked it...Nice choice!

    Question about the Navi. Do you not like yours and if so, may I ask what is it you dislike? We are waiting another few weeks for the Veracruz with Navi to show. I'm thinking if it does not come with a back-up camera and integrated bluetooth we're gonna go without that Navi option and use my Garmin C320 instead as its just fine for basic Navigation.

    Craig
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    The NAV does not give you the best or shortest route in areas that are long established. It has 3 alternate routes. We took one and ended up on a dirt road that was blocked and had been so for years. I just don't trust it. Still carry a Thomas guide or get maps from AAA. It tracks your route fine with all street names correct so far in our part of San Diego County. Just lousy routing is my complaint. With $10k knocked off of MSRP and $4000 under invoice I really cannot complain too much. Internet manager at Poway Toyota was great to deal with by email and when we went in. No surprises. Now is the time to buy one before they bring out the new and bigger version.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    I think you are dismissing the facts. Over the last 15 years the difference between the top of the line in say Toyota and the Lexus have melted together. If you are comparing to the LS460 that is a different beast. The rest of the Lexus lineup are just rebadged Toyota vehicles with a slightly better interior. I think that is what you are going to see with Hyundai. They are doing in the USA what Toyota has done in Japan. Lexus was an unknown name in Japan till last year.
  • xiajiaggxiajiagg Member Posts: 31
    :(
    When one is talking about price/performance, etc., you should not be in a luxury market at all. What is a luxury item? It is about the history, prestige, brand recoginition, and sign of a class in this society. (Unfortunately, Hyundai has none of the above.) It is NOT about the value, reliability, or price to performance ratio, etc. Doen't matter what is your your net-worth, if you concerned about price, you are not a true luxury buyer no matter of what car you are ended up with.

    It is really unfortunate to this society, a lot of us (me truely included) should not get into the luxury market at all. The reason for this is we all pretend!! :shades:
  • xiajiaggxiajiagg Member Posts: 31
    With its tinted and jagged history, it is best it can be a respected brand, in the league of toyota, and it is a good place to be, don't be mistaken.

    When a brand tells you we give you a ban for your buck, this is not a luxury brand. (When does RR or Bentley sings that sone?) And for a shopper even concerned about getting the dollar's worth, you are not a luxury buyer. And it should be. There is less than 1% of the whole population deemed whelthy. Rest of us, just pretend. (I couldn't help but laugh when a poster stated his friends drives Hyundai everyday while gararged his BMW.) One can afford a BMW doesn't mean you are in the upper echelon of this society.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    When one is talking about price/performance, etc., you should not be in a luxury market at all. What is a luxury item? It is about the history, prestige, brand recoginition, and sign of a class in this society. (Unfortunately, Hyundai has none of the above.) It is NOT about the value, reliability, or price to performance ratio, etc. Doen't matter what is your your net-worth, if you concerned about price, you are not a true luxury buyer no matter of what car you are ended up with.

    It is really unfortunate to this society, a lot of us (me truely included) should not get into the luxury market at all. The reason for this is we all pretend!!


    I agree 100%.

    In the first place, luxury is hard to define. I'm not even sure how I define luxury for my own purposes. Luxury is not measurable, and the idea of what luxury is ratchets upward year by year.

    I think 1 of the greatest sources of disagreement and misunderstanding on this subject comes from high price being perceived as somehow adding to the luxury.

    Q. Why is that car so expensive?
    A. Because it's luxurious.
    Q. What's so luxurious about it?
    A. Mainly the price.

    It kind of makes you go "DUH!"
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    The rest of the Lexus lineup are just rebadged Toyota vehicles with a slightly better interior.

    IS250/350 - Where is the rebadged Toyota? Please let me know because I wouldn't mind to get a 306HP RWD Toyota sports sedan for under $30K.

    GS350/460/450h - Where is the rebadged Toyota of those?

    SC430 - Where is the rebadged Toyota?

    LS460/600hL - Where is the rebadged Toyota of those? I didn't know that Toyota has a 438HP hybrid full size RWD sedan in its arsenal.

    RX350/400h - The RX shares platform with the Highlander but can hardly be called as a "rebadge" job.

    ES350, GX470 and LX570 - The best I'll give you is that these are mild rebadge jobs. Compare those with their Toyota counterparts and tell me how many body panels do they share and if they have identical interiors.

    So the rest of the Lexus lineup are just rebadged Toyota vehicles with a slightly better interiors huh? Right.

    Case closed.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    I agree. However Lexus from the get go went after the luxury and upscale market. The LS400 is and was a valid attempt to take sales from Mercedes. The ES250 was a poor attempt to replace the Cressida it was dropping from the Toyota lineup. The ES is and always has been a fancy Toyota Camry for those that wanted a Lexus. Those that are only buying Lexus to get the emblem on their car/CUV will not be tempted by Hyundai vehicles. Those that do want more luxury for less money will be looking at the Azera and Veracruz. After looking at them all, I would buy the Azera or Veracruz over the ES350 or RX350. It is not about the money. It is about wasting $1000s on an emblem on a hood.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Couldn't agree with you more.

    On top of the list I made yesterday I guess I'll add the last and final point:

    Hyundai is not a luxury brand. Period!

    You guys here are welcomed to continue with these apples to oranges comparisons. Whatever makes you happy I guess...
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    OK you got me on the SC, IS and GS. They sell so few I forgot they existed. A friend has a new GS in a deep red and it's not too bad. The LS I said is legitimate luxury. The SC went to crap after the 1990s SC300/400.

    Let me reword my statement. MOST of the vehicles that Lexus sells are rebadged Toyotas. How is that?
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Lexus is just a badge on a hood just isn't paying attention.

    Lexus has a reputation to uphold. A certain standard.

    Hyundai certainly doesn't have that problem. :blush:

    DrFill
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    You cool out, Lou.

    I'll keep the light on for ya! :D

    DrFill
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    They sell so few I forgot they existed.

    Really? I'll give you that for the SC but even the GS is not selling well compares to the competitors I can see many on the street here in So Cal. The IS is going out the door at around 5000 units in a bad month and 6000 in a good one. So they are not selling well? Give me a break.

    Let me reword my statement. MOST of the vehicles that Lexus sells are rebadged Toyotas. How is that?

    Still not true. Keep spinning, one day you'll get there. ;)

    PS. This will be my last post on this topic because it's way off topic. I'd love to continue the discussion with you either on the "Toyota in 2007" or "Is Lexus The Standard of the World?" Boards.

    My apologize to those who are here to discuss about Hyundai.
  • bobadbobad Member Posts: 1,587
    You said a key phrase there: "more luxury". Luxury is not an absolute. No matter what car you own, there is always something more luxurious. There's a huge trickle-down effect ongoing as well. "Luxury" features that were once only found on the most elite luxury cars are now common on inexpensive cars. That can really muddy the water for us older guys trying to define a luxury car.

    I believe there is a demographic out there that likes luxurious cars, but are too logical, practical, or modest to own one. That is the demographic that may be interested in "near luxury" cars by Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai.
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    "That can really muddy the water for us older guys trying to define a luxury"

    But if you take a luxury vehicle like the X5 4.8 and list all of the options and features and compare it to the Veracruz and see the diffrence, there would be a crude estimate of luxury vs upscale. BTW Almost every manufacturer is attempting to produce upscale cars.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Agree about logical people are more likely to choose near luxury over luxury. The truth is that a car is a depreciative (unless it's a collector model) item so to spent any amount over necessary isn't a wise decision no matter how wealthy a person is.

    However, that doesn't justify the idea which most here seem share that Hyundai is all of the sudden a player in the luxury market. Granted that Hyundai, Toyota and Honda are making some dang good near luxury cars/SUVs but at the end of the day they are still Hyundai, Toyota and Honda. Keep in mind that being a good AAA player doesn't automatically mean that he has got what it takes to be in the Major Leagues.
  • xiajiaggxiajiagg Member Posts: 31
    1. One who truely buys a luxury item. Doesn't how much do you tell him about the re-badge, price to vperformance, etc., he/she will not buy a toyota, let alone hyundai, even the hyundai is even better.

    2. One who pretends, like myself. He/she will think about the toyota, or even tempted by the Hyundai. But even he ended up with a hyundai, don't ever state hyundai is becoming a luxury brand now becuase he is not a luxury buyer! :blush:
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Hyundai is not a luxury brand. Period!

    Nor was Toyota, before it started Lexus. Nor was Honda, before it started Acura. Nor was Nissan, before it started Infiniti. Hyundai is not a luxury brand today--that is clear. Can they evolve in the next few years to successfully attack the luxury market--like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan did? That is the open question. I think Hyundai has a decent shot at success. They are already offering near-luxury models like the Veracruz and Azera that are more "luxurious" than what Toyota, Honda, and Nissan offered at the time those companies launched their luxury brands. Remember that one of the first two Lexus models was a thinly-disguised Camry, one of Acura's initial offerings was a gussied-up Civic and another a gussied-up Accord, and one of Infiniti's initial offerings was a Sentra on steroids. Hyundai can start out attacking the luxury market with far better offerings than what Toyota, Honda, and Nissan threw out there at first.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    I don't see an LS400 in Hyundai's future.

    Talk about a tough act to follow. :surprise:

    DrFill
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    How do you mean? Genesis is a V8 RWD sedan. Have you driven the Genesis and compared it to the LS400?

    I'm sure Lexus thought of the RX350 a tough act to follow too, until the Veracruz came along to critical acclaim for $10,000 less. :)
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Well, you have made valid points, thus led to my opinions:

    1. I didn't see Honda, Toyota and Nissan try to spin themselves into luxury brands did they? They CREATED another brand and SEPARATE INDEPENDENT DEALER NETWORK. The only beef I have with Hyundai is not that they aren't good enough to make luxury vehicles but it's that they aren't playing it smart.

    2. If the top dogs in Hyundai think they can spin the brand into a luxury marque then they are solely mistaken. People here are shallow and it shows with their buying decision. Maybe the Hyundai top dogs in Seoul should organize a field trip to come here and spend couple days visiting various luxury and non-luxury dealerships.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Personally I don't see a LS400 in Hyundai's future lineup as well. However, I do see one in future Hyundai luxury brand's lineup.

    As for Veracruz comparable to the RX350, I still laugh whenever I see that being mentioned.

    Call me shallow but in case you haven't out yet, people here in the good ole' USA do buy badges. :surprise:
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    If only the rest of the world could share in that herb. The blue weed is kinda trippy, alright? ;)

    And since Hyundai doesn't have a brand to use, any efforts in that vain are surely wasted.

    Waste not..... :P

    DrFill
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Have you considered that Hyundai's strategy is NOT to "spin the brand into a luxury marque", but perhaps to, in the short term, use 1-2 high-end vehicles to raise the overall perception of the Hyundai brand (which IMO is the #1 challenge Hyundai faces in the U.S.), to the point where people are comfortable spending $30k+ on a regular basis on a Hyundai, THEN spinning off a luxury brand in a few years?
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    It's only to critical acclaim on paper and I agree good value on paper. People imo, won't believe the Veracruz is the equal of the RX350. Yeah, there will be some who believe the Pilot with leather seats and DVd deserves critical acclaim.

    The Genesis with V8 is already a has-been. Haven't you noticed turbo V6s are producing almost the same power and probably more torque. Let the magazines say what they want, it's the people who will determine if these cars hit their mark, miss their mark or even go unnoticed. And you are right the Genesis probably does compare with LS400.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    It's only to critical acclaim on paper ...

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the editors of MT actually drove the RX350 and Veracruz when they did their recent comparo. Which is what a lot of folks in this discussion who are dismissing Hyundai's efforts haven't done--actually drive their vehicles, let alone own one and compare the ownership experience to that of other brands.
  • drfilldrfill Member Posts: 2,484
    Pay me enough, I'll drive one too.

    DrFill
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    What's the point?

    Such a waste for a car like Genesis because once it's a Hyundai it'll always be a Hyundai. A different badge won't do it justice. Remember the famous "Camry and ES" example that every Lexus bashers seem love to use?
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the editors of MT actually drove the RX350 and Veracruz when they did their recent comparo"

    I don't buy that conclusion and I don't believe it. I do not believe Hyundai knows how build luxury vehicles. They know how to build an attractive vehicle that at a value price, that is their forte. That is what they did with the Veracruz and Genesis. Let me suggest this, the Thunderbird was named COTY, and where is it now? These magazines are looking for readership. I would be more inclined to listen (although still would be skeptical) when CR says the Veracruz is in the same luxury league as the RX. The don't have an advertising axe to grind.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    CR does have a revenue axe to grind--they need content that will draw new subscribers and magazine buyers.

    You can believe what you want. But given that multiple, professional reviewers have touted the ability of Hyundais to win over the luxury market--MT's and James Healey's reviews as two recent examples--I will tend to discount the opinion of one individual who has never driven these vehicles and has a negative opinion of Hyundai overall, in favor of these professional opinions.
Sign In or Register to comment.