Comments by "Stephen Hendricks" (@stephenhendricks103) on "" video.

  1. I find it remarkable how the separate design teams at Hyundai and KIA come up with such different vehicles from a common set of parts bins. (e.g. Telluride vs Palisade; Sorento vs Santa Fe; K5 vs Sonata; Forte vs Elantra; Seltos vs Kona, etc.) In some cases the differences are only "skin deep" with different "vibes." (e.g. Telluride vs Palisade) In others it's difficult to imagine two competing vehicles share so many attributes (e.g. Sorento vs Santa Fe; Seltos vs Kona.) Adding to the differences is the fact that the schedules for new generations and face lifts are typically offset by a year, or so. Thus, the comparison here is between a 2020 Sonata vs a 2021 K5. All in all, the two brands have a remarkable capacity to slice standard market categories into sub-categories with appeals to slightly different sets of consumers. Hyundai appeals to a slightly higher income demographic than KIA though the difference has been shrinking for years and in the midsize sedan category KIA slightly outsells Hyundai in the US. (Hyundai counters that disadvantage with wider appeal in international markets.) It may well be that KIA's traditional appeal to budget constrained customers and the overall weakness of the midsize sedan market led KIA to limit some of the bells and whistles in the K5 compared both to the version available in Korea and to the Sonata. If there's anything that dealers hate it's having higher priced (and profit) vehicles sit unsold on their lots until they're finally sold at steeper discounts. Whether KIA will add some of those features to the forthcoming performance version of the K5 or to a face lift in following model years will be interesting to watch. Personally, I'm inclined to prefer the K5 over the Sonata. I find Hyundai's designs typically somewhat overstyled and "fussy." (Looking at you, Palisade.) Others will disagree, of course, and claim the Sonata is more "upscale" inside and out. But to me, the K5 design is simpler and more elegant. Furthermore, living in climate where winters are messy, the AWD option in the K5 is significant and compensates for some of the features the Sonata has and the K5 lacks. I'm not currently in the market for a midsize sedan but if I were I'd wait to compare the performance versions of K5 and the Sonata with the 2.5L turbo engine and DCT before making a decision. Time will tell.
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