i live in a small town in florida, fair amount of low income, so not surprised that hyundai/kia would do quite well here. but this weekend i went down to a ritzy beach area. saw lambos, bentleys and the rest... but what SHOCKED me was how many kias and hyundais i saw. loads of sonatas, sorrentos, and that new kia optima which is SHARP looking.

anyone else notice they're making pretty big inroads?

 

Definitely seeing a lot of them here. I've had a few friends trade in Jettas and Civics for the new Elantra and I have quite a few Sonatas in my parking decks at work and home.

Also seeing plenty of new Optimas...nice car.

 

As Mike stated tons of them here. Reminds me of Nissan's style resurgence in the early 2000s, a bunch of non enthusiasts that can't tell you how to change the oil looking smug, in the fast lane and double parking. The attitude turnaround is amazing. Also there is a Kia plant in GA and there was an article stating how its helped the area around it.

Optima has a $199 lease looking like penetration pricing right now. For pedestrian cars they have done a great job with styling.

 

I don't see anything wrong with bringing some style and swagger to the mainstream where the vast majority of us live. For too long it was that you had to settle for reliable and affordable but bland and style-less.

Both of these brands are on the rise and they are both making smart decisions and it's showing in the market where it really counts.

 

I haven't seen many Optimas on the road here in Tucson yet, but the Soul seems to be everywhere. The Hyundai Sonata is a big seller here and you see lots of them around. The local rental agencies also have the new Sonata which the rent as full size cars alongside the Fusion.

Maybe they are more noticeable because of the styling, but obviously Hyundai has a hit so far. One of the local Hyundai dealers is charging a premium over list for the Turbo. Haven't seen a hybrid yet.
Steve

 

it reminds me of honda in the 80s which had hit after hit and grew market share...

 

Sonata and Soul are common in northern CA. At first I was thinking they were mostly rentals, but not the case.

 

not sure of the need for such condescension.

most ANY vehicle owners can't tell you how to change the oil, and people in all brands hog the fast lane and most double parking is done by expensive cars i'd say who believe they've somehow bought a right to violate the law.

damning with faint praise. it's like saying - for midgets, they're pretty tall.

 

I've noticed a lot of the new Sonata's in the DC area, not as much Kia's though.

 

I tetst drove the new optima turbo, that car is very well buil nicce and quiet and pulls very well.

 

looks like their advertising is paying off.

i just saw a video clip of a slam dunk contest, with some guy dunking over a new optima.

kia is just getting this car wherever they can show it.

 

I'm not a fan of Hyundai's latest stying trends, much-preferring the look and feel of their last-generation products (especially the Sonata and Tucson), but there is no doubt that the new ones are selling just as well or better than their immediate predecessors. Some of the popularity, of course, is from clever (but sometimes tacky) TV/magazine ads like the Kia Soul hamsters, but, in general, these vehicles don't need ads to sell.....their quality, value, and warranty do that job for them. In fact, if they would get around to doing something along the lines of the Outback/Venza/Crosstour (such as an AWD Sonata raised-suspension wagon), I'd seriously consider one myself. But Hyundai's corporate management, at this time, is not receptive to AWD in their pasenger-car lines, and restrict it solely to the SUVs (I asked about this at the recent D.C. Auto Show).

My brother, BTW, was sold (or, rather Soul-ed) on the Kia Soul. We went shopping for a new one last July, and came home with one for him that night. So far, he loves it.

 

I've seen a lot of Optima and Sonata's on the road. They are both well built cars and im not surprised they are selling well.

 

They're definately becoming very popular here in NY as well. Even I may end up in a Genesis Coupe as a next car.

 

Hyundai Sonata loud and clear on tonight's episode of House