Skip advert
Advertisement

'I was cynical about Hyundai's aim to be the world's 2nd biggest carmaker, not now'

Steve Fowler is impressed by Hyundai's electric cars, its N division and now its luxury Genesis brand

Opinion Genesis Hyundai Ioniq

Being a journalist means you have a healthy dose of built-in cynicism. So I’ll admit to turning up at the launch of the new Genesis GV80 and G80 models not expecting them to be serious premium car contenders.

How wrong I was. Both cars are seriously impressive and – straight out of the box – serious contenders against serious rivals.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, having seen how the Hyundai Motor Group has transformed itself and its brands (Hyundai, Kia and Genesis) over the past few years. I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time in Korea, where I’ve always been struck by Hyundai’s eagerness to listen, learn and react – fast.

Advertisement - Article continues below

I remember being asked to feed back my thoughts on quality in a new product to Kia engineers some years ago. Two days later they presented their plans to me on how they’d be addressing my comments – starting on production cars in just a few months’ time. Wow!

While Hyundai and Kia products have been improving at a rate of knots recently (and the Hyundai Tucson I’ve got at the moment has been described by my wife as one of the best cars I’ve ever had!), we’ve been massively impressed by the brand extensions: Hyundai’s hot N models, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and now Genesis.

Hyundai Motor Group is acting shrewdly and wisely, whether that’s its investment in companies like Rimac, Arrival and Canoo, or choosing partners like Ineos to work with on hydrogen power – it all makes sense.

On another trip to Korea, I was shown a chart of the world’s biggest car makers and told how Hyundai Motor Group was aiming for the number two slot. And yes, I was cynical about that at the time, too. Not now.

By focusing on what consumers really want – great-looking, great-driving, efficient, affordable, high-quality cars – Hyundai Motor Group is showing other car makers the way ahead right now. And there’s much more to come. 

Check out our review on the new mild-hybrid Hyundai Tucson...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

BYD Atto 3 review
BYD Atto 3 - front tracking

BYD Atto 3 review

New kid on the block BYD has hit the ground running with its all-electric family SUV, combining quirky design with a comfortable ride in the Atto 3
In-depth reviews
23 Jan 2025
Tokyo Auto Salon 2025: all the highlights and exciting new cars
Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 header image

Tokyo Auto Salon 2025: all the highlights and exciting new cars

TAS 2025 highlighted the latest in tuning, off-road accessories, and new cars...
News
14 Jan 2025
Hyundai unveils world's first holographic windscreen
Hyundai Mobis ‘Holographic Windshield Display’

Hyundai unveils world's first holographic windscreen

Vast head-up display that stretches entire width of windscreen revealed at CES and could be in production by 2027
News
10 Jan 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
1 Jan 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Nissan Leaf for under £140 a month is bargain electric motoring
Nissan Leaf - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Nissan Leaf for under £140 a month is bargain electric motoring

It may be getting on a bit, but the Leaf still represents simple – and cheap – electric motoring. It’s our Deal of the Day for 3 February
News
3 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price
Ford Capri - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price

Rebooted Seventies classic is now an electric SUV for a low monthly outlay. It’s our Deal of the Day for 5 February
News
5 Feb 2025
Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition gets a price hike, but it’s still cheap-as-chips
Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition - front

Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition gets a price hike, but it’s still cheap-as-chips

The petrol Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition now starts from £18,995, while the electric version comes in at £27,495
News
5 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts