Och

iTrader: (3)

I am in general very surprised it took so long for automakers to bring AWD to sedans. Most American cars in the past were essentially truck based and it shouldn't have been difficult to add AWD option to them. I know that even many of the early Japanese cars had AWD option in Canada - Corolla/Civic wagon, etc. I know that JDM Lexus GS had AWD option from the first generation.

Right now AWD sedans are proving very popular here in NY. I barely ever see IS/GS sedans without the AWD badge, and now that LS has an AWD option, I see it more and more often. Mercedes and BMW sedans with 4matic and X-drive option are also extremely popular. I wonder if CamCordTima will ever have AWD option - but thats probably going to make a huge dent in the SUV sales.

I8ABMR

I think this is a mistake. Its like neglecting the entire northeast.

rdgdawg

Ehhh... don't forget us northen central prisoners....

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

uh, essential for marketing reasons maybe, but certainly not essential to get around. NY cabs have been boat-like old Impalas forever, for example. 99% of the time people don't need it. and the other 1% of the time i recommend most people stay off the road anyway!

also, the gs awd looks TERRIBLE with the front wheel gap - so if that's what it would do to a genesis, they should do it right like audi.





lol - sorry, but that's just crazy talk. the old truck 4wd systems had manually or button push locking center diffs and also most couldn't even switch from 2wd to 4wd while MOVING (which never made a lot of sense to me, but it was a compromise to give a more capable 4wd system when engaged vs. the viscous coupling type awd setup). such a compromised and BULKY/HEAVY system would have been a load of shat on the old american sedans.

they're fwd sedans which don't need the awd as bad as the rwd sedans.

bottom line - it's NOT EASY to add awd to a sleek sedan and make it work well and look good. lexus hasn't pulled it off yet. audi, bmw, mercedes do a WAY better job, but then they've been at it for decades and were doing it before they even had SUVs (except the monster G wagon ).

again, from a marketing perspective - most people do NOT need awd except for a few days a year, maybe. is it a nice to have, and add some cachet to a vehicle? sure. i had an rx300 awd but frankly, i don't think i needed the awd at all. but then i was in atlanta. but don't snicker, they do get ice storms there! but even 8 wheel drive wouldn't help then.

mmarshall

Car-based AWD, with a center-differential, actually goes back some 30 years.....to the AMC Eagle and Eagle SX-4 of 1980-82. A couple of years later, Audi and Subaru started doing even better AWD systems for their products. But, outside of a few pioneering automakers like these, yes, it did take some time for automakers to start installing it.

IS-SV

So what's Hyundai leaving on the table (by not implementing AWD on the Genesis), maybe another 10% to 15% in sales on a sales base that isn't very high.

spwolf

you have to start somewhere, cant expect Hyundai to have it all right away... but lets look at it this way - if IS or GS lose AWD, i would absolutely hate it.

Blackraven

Oh yeah, I forgot Lexus Europe does not offer AWD (except on SUVs and/or Lexus LS Hybrid).

Anyways, it will take time, though hopefully, the Koreans can get AWD into more of their vehicles. Can't get them to get it right at the first try.

It's like how it took them a year or two to get shift lock feature on all their automatic transmissions.

Everyone has to start from somewhere

mmarshall

That was partly my point earlier. They could have (and should have, IMO) offered AWD some time ago on better-selling sedans like the Sonata and Elantra. Ford and Buick recognized the need, and offer it on the Fusion/MKZ and Buick LaCrosse.

IS-SV

Yes, but as I said 10-15% sales increase on Genesis isn't much and still would leave this as a slow-selling car. Genesis needs work no doubt to get more sales traction and I expect next gen to address AWD and other issues.

And the Sonata and Elantra are selling very well even without AWD, outselling every car mentioned including the Fusion, MKZ, LaCrosse.

rogers2

Don't you think your asking to much. The Camry and Accord don't offer AWD so why would they offer something like that on a Sonata and Elantra. Truthfully I could care less about AWD. If it's that bad outside maybe I should stay home. Fwd should be enough or I should move.

mmarshall

Your views are not alone.....a number of potential car-buyers agree with you. I myself don't totally agree, but I respect your opinion. The Camry and Accord, BTW, do offer AWD in the American market if you consider their Venza and Crosstour spin-offs. Hyundai and Kia, unfortunately, have nothing that competes directly with them (and the Subaru Legacy/Outback).......one has to look at the Hyundai/Kia SUV line-up instead.