Is it time to take Korean cars seriously?

[GreenArrow]

I was at a motorshow in Bournemouth yesterday and sat in a lot of mainstream cars, including plenty of Kias and it really opened my eyes to how far the Koreans have come. In terms of build quality and interior ambience, there is really little to separate Kia from Skoda, Ford, Vauxhall, Nissan etc. In terms of styling, I'd say the current Kia range is a lot more pleasing on the eye than most of the French stuff and plenty of Ford, Vauxhsll, VAG and Jap cars. I didn't get a chance to drive anything but cant imagine there's much in it on the road either, but I doubt many people on here would seriously consider anything Korean. When you look at the Honda, Toyota and Nissan ranges you could argue that Kia have a stronger line up for family buyers than the big Jap firms so I believe the Koreans might even overtake the Japanese as the big volume far east players. However, its got to be said that they don't YET build many sporty cars, the Pro'Ceed GT being the only thing remotely hot hatish. So do you think that's all it needs now, an investment in range topping drivers cars and then we will all take them serious?

[GreenArrow]

Interesting reaction to my OP. Most of the really negative comments are from people who don't own, would never own a Korean car, whilst all those who have taken the plunge are really positive. I don't understand the "these are white goods, average to drive, not best in class" comments either, because in fairness something like an Audi A3 has never delivered dynamically, but people have bought them in their droves due to the cool badge. I should know, I owned a Mk1 Audi A3 and the handling/ride was pretty mediocre quite honestly. As for the old cliché of being bland I disagree. I sat in loads of Kias and then the Skodas/Peugeots/Renaults etc and they are pretty much of a muchness. The Kia C'eed for example is certainly a better looker than the Focus and less "bland" IMO than everyone's favourite the Golf, which just evolves a little with each generation. The Optima in the right spec is a real looker I think.

So for those of us that need sensible family wheels, I think Kia and Hyundai offer a very attractive product.

[GreenArrow]

I do wonder who german manufacturers like Porsche continue to get away with sub standard reliability in the publics eye. No one argues that they are wonderful cars at the top of their game, but they should be pulled up short if there are engine failures etc. Lotus are still trying to shrug off the "lots of trouble usually serious" tag they gained, not unreasonably in the Chapman years, yet Porsche and others sail on with their teutonic build and reliability reputation even though independent reliability surveys show that they are anything but trouble free....

As for the Koreans they are no blander or generic than any of the major volume manufacturers, yet they do offer a very good warranty. As someone looking for cheap family wheels, the idea of being able to buy something like a 3 year old 90,000 mile Hyundai, which still has 2 years manufacturers warranty left, is very appealing and takes a lot of the risk out of buying second hand..and is a Hyundai i40 really any blander than a VW Passat/Ford Mondeo?

[GreenArrow]

The Kia result needs to be taken in context....read the report. Kias cannot feature until they are at least 7 years old..by which time they are mostly in the 70-80K mile bracket when parts start wearing out...

Other reliability results normally show Hyundai and Kia fairly highly rated....

..but overall I don't understand why people are still wary of Korean cars. Korea is at the pinnacle of the technological age, look at Samsung for example...its no surprise that their cars have made such great strides. Even Top Gear gave over virtually a whole programme 3 years ago to trying Korean cars and they had a Kia C'eed as they're reasonable priced car..a car incidentally which lapped faster than the Astra which replaced it!!!