NORTH AMERICA CAR OF THE YEAR, HYUNDAI GENESIS, GREAT VALUE – OTHER HYUNDAIS TOO?

Hyundai became popular, genuinely successful, in America by building vehicles that were meant to last, with all the stuff consumers wanted, at a price the competition never thought of asking. Yesterday news broke that Hyundai’s first luxury sedan for North America, the Genesis, was victorious in Car of the Year balloting. How does the Genesis do it? Well, in GoodCarBadCar.net’s own The Good 12 v2.0, it was pointed out that “cars do not win awards here or at any other respectable publication for low prices“.

The Genesis needed to be good first and foremost. Being good and then a good value is what makes the Genesis so desirable and worthy of award-winning. As this all came about, however, The Good Car Guy got to wonderin’. Is Hyundai still the low-priced brand many purchasers came to know and love? Has success wound its way into Hyundai’s Korean head(quarters)? With a closer look, perhaps we would discover if Hyundai has returned to the value-driven scheme purely for this new foray into the luxury arena.

Click here for Hyundai USA’s Special Offers page

It appears more than likely that each and every monday, a $$$ post will appear on GoodCarBadCar.net. If you don’t see $$$, it’ll likely be a GoodCarBadCar Lowdown. $$$ posts are all about vehicle pricing. Today, Hyundai’s North American products are compared with top notch vehicles from other automakers in their respective segments. Discounts or incentives are not taken into account. Equipment differences are left aside. We’re dealing with bare-bones pricing up in here.

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Hyundai Accent: $9,970

This former Good 12 winner is impressive because of its content and design. Driving the Accent blindfolded, one would never suspect you were in any automaker’s cheapest car.

Honda Fit: $14,750

Chevrolet Aveo: $12,625

Hyundai Elantra: $14,120

The Good Car Guy said this of the Elantra in a GoodCarBadCar.net Driven post: “Hyundai has created a car that’s free of aggravation or annoyances. Lacking enthusiast qualities is relatively permissable under the circumstances Hyundai produces”.

Honda Civic: $15,305

Toyota Corolla: $15,350

Hyundai Sonata: $18,700

Equipped to the hilt with features and class-competitive powertrains, the Sonata means serious business. Ever so Camryesque in its complete avoidance of anything possibly perceived as offensive, the Sonata is boring; but in a good way.

Ford Fusion: $19,035

Chevrolet Malibu: $22,275

Hyundai Azera: $24,970

We used to think the XG and Azera were Hyundai’s attempt at luxury. Apparently, the Koreans had something else up their sleeve.

Toyota Avalon: $27,845

Chrysler 300: $27,415

Hyundai Tucson: $17,420

Part of Hyundai’s tag-team effort to take on the smallest SUVs, the Tucson isn’t flashy but it gets the job done.

Honda Element: $20,275

Toyota RAV4: $21,500

Hyundai Santa Fe: $21,495

Obviously, the other part of Hyundai’s tag-team effort, the larger Santa Fe is the second-generation in one of Hyundai’s most believeable vehicles.