Vehicles conceptualized and designed by South Korean automakers have progressed from value-oriented alternatives to class-leading innovators in just 20 years. These autos have had a remarkable run of success.
Hyundai has dominated the fields of compact performance and electrified vehicles. Kia produces some of the best SUVs and premium sedans in the industry. And Genesis, which is only a few years old as a stand-alone brand, is competing with Germany’s greatest.
Top 9 Great Cars From Korean Automakers
Despite how few manufacturers are based in South Korea, the variety of options is particularly impressive. The majority of segments are represented, including numerous entries in certain instances. We’ve produced a list of fantastic Korean automobile options to assist showcase a few of the greatest options.
1. Hyundai Kona
There are extraordinary players in sports, those who can do it all. Baseball players who can play any position, hockey players who can play forward and defence, and football players who can play offence, defence, and special teams The Hyundai Kona is a car that is comparable to those players. There are four separate personalities in it.
The Kona is a front-wheel-drive, high-riding hatchback that competes against vehicles like the Kia Soul, Toyota C-HR, and even Hyundai’s own Venue. Then there’s a true subcompact crossover with all-wheel drive and two engines to choose from, including a powerful-for-the-segment 195 turbocharged four-cylinder.
Then there’s the Kona N, which is the proper performance model. The N is a hot hatch in a subcompact crossover body, with a turbocharged 276 horsepower engine. It is capable of embarrassing a large number of sport compact cars on a racetrack.
However, if gasoline-powered vehicles aren’t your thing, the Kona Electric from Hyundai will keep you covered. The Electric has a range of 258 miles and is powered by a 201 horsepower electric motor.
You have a lot of options with Kona.
2. Hyundai IONIQ 5
Hyundai and Kia both provide a wide range of popular vehicles with fully electric versions. The companies are quickly rising to the top of the burgeoning market. However, the IONIQ 5 is Hyundai’s first electric-only vehicle. Although it doesn’t ride much higher than other compact hatchbacks, the automaker deems it an SUV.
It comes in four trim levels and may be ordered with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. During our initial drive, we fell in love with the vehicle and can’t wait to get our hands on one for a more in-depth review.
3. Kia Stinger
A nice surprise is occasionally introduced by an automobile manufacturer, as is the case with the Kia Stinger. Kia had long been thought to be working on a sports car called the Stinger. However, what was delivered was a performance fastback sedan with a rear-liftgate, similar to the Porsche Panamera. And, as strange as it may sound, the Panamera’s parallels didn’t end there. With a variety of turbocharged engines, the Stinger could be selected with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
The base model has a 300-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while higher-grade models have a 368-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine. If they sound familiar, it’s because they’re both from the Genesis G70 premium sedan.
The Stinger is essentially a less expensive variant of the G70 that isn’t quite as nice. It’s a high-end sports sedan with a reasonable price tag. However, if you want one, you’d best hurry because 2022 may be the last year for the Stinger.
4. Hyundai Veloster N
The Veloster has always been a quirky, cool hatchback that wasn’t particularly sporty until recently. With the arrival of the Veloster N, however, everything changed. The N, which replaces the mediocre Veloster Turbo, comes with a 275-hp turbocharged engine mated to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The N incorporates an electronic limited-slip differential, adjustable sport suspension, adjustable steering, larger brakes, and stickier tyres, in addition to a driveline improvement. There’s a crackling exhaust as an added treat for drivers, and manual transmission cars have rev-matching downshifts. This performance option is also available on the Kona and Elantra sedans if the Veloster isn’t your cup of tea.
5. Kia Soul
The Kia Soul is a car that is difficult to categorise. It’s a quirky car that’s a part crossover, part hatchback, and full of personality. The Soul, now in its second generation, continues to provide owners of all ages with a practical, efficient, and capacious vehicle. It has an extraordinary capacity to fit a wide range of body types and sizes.
Kia has done an excellent job at packaging this vehicle. There are several trim levels to pick from, some of which alter the vehicle’s exterior trim to fit a driver’s preferences. A Turbo trim level with a 201 horsepower engine is still available for a little additional pleasure behind the wheel.
6. Hyundai Tucson
Tucson will compete in one of the most competitive and difficult categories of the automobile business today: compact crossovers. The current Tucson, which is only a few years old, is a sleek little crossover with some unusual characteristics like front running lights that cascade down the grille. A 187-horsepower engine is standard, but a 226-horsepower hybrid and a 261-horsepower Plug-in Hybrid are also available.
The Tucson XRT, a car that follows the trend of more rugged small crossovers, will be released later this year. Although it isn’t a rock-crawling off-roader, it has a more aggressive appearance and should do well for Hyundai.
7. Kia Telluride
When it launched, the Kia Telluride upended the three-row crossover hierarchy. It was universally applauded and quickly rose to the top of the segment. The Telluride is an outstanding large family car, combining comfort, performance, style, and features.
The vehicle, which is powered by a 291 horsepower V6 engine, is available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, depending on trim level and accessories. It can also transport seven or eight passengers and tow up to 5,000 pounds.
8. Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is classified as a Sport Activity Vehicle rather than a pickup truck by Hyundai. The firm claims that it combines the greatest features of an SUV with a pickup truck. Despite its elegant exterior, it still has an open bed in the back, making it a pickup, or as the Australians would describe it, a Ute.
The vehicle comes with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine or a powerful 281 horsepower turbocharged engine. It is available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Depending on trim level and optional equipment, towing capacity is up to 3,500 pounds, while the payload is a little over 1,700 pounds.
The return of small pickup trucks to North America is a welcome sight.
9. Kia Carnival
Hyundai isn’t the only firm that objects to traditional segment categories being applied to its vehicles; Kia is one of them. Okay, the three-row, front-wheel-drive Carnival with sliding doors on both sides isn’t a minivan. In the United States, Kia refers to it as an MPV (Multi-Person Vehicle), but in Canada, the Carnival is dubbed a LUV (Large Utility Vehicle) (Life Utility Vehicle).
Regardless of name, the Carnival is Kia’s no-nonsense people transporter, replacing the Sedona minivan. The Carnival, which comes in five trim levels, seems more polished and elegant than the recently retired Sedona. The Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Chrysler Pacifica, all pillars of the minivan sector, are all under threat. Apart than that, Kia has done a fantastic job.
FAQ’s About Cars From Korean Automakers
Are Korean cars bad?
Are Korean automobiles safe? Another bad myth about Korean automobiles is that they are dangerous. Nothing could be farther from the truth, though. In reality, Korean automakers produce some of the safest vehicles on the road today.
Are American cars sold in South Korea?
According to the Korean Automobile Manufacturers Association, 46,000 cars from US automakers were sold in South Korea last year, accounting for 15.2 percent of total imported car sales (KAMA). ... In 2020, they will have a market share of 8.5 percent, which is close to their highest market share of 8.9 percent in 2011.
What does Kia stand for?
What does Kia stand for? Korean International Automotive Although Kia is literally the name of the company with its own linguistic roots in the Korean language, the company also explains that the K, I, and A stand for Korean International Automotive.
Are Korean cars better than American?
New car owners report fewer problems than in past years. The next three slots go to the Americans—Ford, Lincoln, Chevrolet—with Lexus and Toyota after them.
Why then do most Koreans drive Korean made cars?
Consumers in Korea who are looking for the best value will purchase a domestic vehicle.... Koreans like to drive Korean cars for this reason, as well as probably simple patriotism. Domestic autos accounted for 85 percent of all new car purchases last year.
We ( my wife and I) have been driving Hyundai autos since 2004 and we absolutely love them. My wife recently purchased a new Sonata and it is so beautiful, so nice!! Thank you Hyundai for producing quality automobiles.