Originally Posted by
RandomX
i think the question here is, would you buy a hyundai over a volkswagen?
If budget wasn't a factor in the choice then definitely everyone would go for the VW.
But the simple fact is few companies are competing with Hyundai for the best price-to-quality ratio these days, at least in some of their segments.
Eg. The i30 is a rather dull drive, the interior plastics feel cheap, but at $21-22k drive away for an auto diesel with great fuel consumption, stacks of space, tiny servicing costs, rather good mechanical reliability etc.... I can see why people are buying them in droves compared to a Golf where you're looking at $29k for the cheapest (a Bluemotion in manual), where a DSG TDI model is more like $32-33k. It's 50% more... and yes, probably 50% more car, much better build quality etc.... but certainly the Hyundai will suit the majority of the mass market who see cars as whitegoods rather than objects of passion and pride.
As such, I see plenty of potential for a 1.6 turbo 'sporty' Hyundai. The Polo GTI is awfully well priced (well... sort of... nobody is actually paying anywhere near the ~$27.9k for a three door once dealer delivery and on roads get factored in, combined with the huge wait times)... but if Hyundai could get a relatively nice sporty hatch out for <$25k on road then the price will certainly do plenty to help sway peoples decision (particularly in light of the huge wait times on the Polo).
Yes, none of us would consider these cars ourselves because we care about quality and refinement far more than the rest of the market.... but unfortunately petrol heads only make up a small segment of the market and are largely ignored when it comes to tailoring new cars to the market.
Previous Rides: Polo GTI, Mx5 10AE, MY05 WRX WRP10, Renault Sport Clio 172
Current Ride: Evo 8 MR, Fabia MK3
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