“Narrowing the Gap with Luxury Cars” — U.S. Outlet Highlights Hyundai Motor Group’s Product Quality

[Financial News] A U.S. automotive media outlet has assessed that Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, and Genesis are narrowing the product-quality gap with traditional luxury-car brands. The analysis said they are strengthening their competitiveness by offering luxury-level ride quality and interior quality at relatively lower prices. In the U.S. market, a product lineup centered on hybrids is translating into higher sales.
According to industry sources on the 16th, CarBuzz recently highlighted Hyundai Motor Group’s product competitiveness based on its test-drive experience with the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid and customer-satisfaction surveys conducted by market researcher J.D. Power.
CarBuzz assessed the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, saying, “It is difficult to find a difference between its smooth ride and quietness and those of the many luxury SUVs priced above $100,000 that we have test-driven.” The outlet explained that the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride could appeal to consumers seeking luxury-level design and comfort while also considering fuel economy and price.
CarBuzz also said the gap between brands is narrowing in customer satisfaction. The J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study cited by CarBuzz evaluates new-vehicle buyers’ experiences with design, performance, comfort, and technology use.
According to CarBuzz, Genesis scored between 869 and 886 points over the past five years. In several years, it received higher scores than Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Audi, and Volvo Cars. CarBuzz assessed this by saying, “Genesis is no longer a challenger; it has firmly established itself among the top brands in the luxury market.”
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation also maintained scores around 850 points. In the 2026 survey presented by CarBuzz, Hyundai Motor Company scored 858 points, 12 points behind Lexus and 18 points behind Mercedes-Benz. Kia Corporation scored 857 points, putting it 6 points behind Volvo Cars. In some years, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation also recorded higher scores than Audi, Acura, and Infiniti.
CarBuzz attributed this performance in part to the fact that interior quality, user interfaces, and quietness once available only in top models from luxury-car brands are now being offered at lower price points.
The outlet also focused on manufacturing competitiveness. Hyundai Motor Group is expanding investments in AI-based robotics and production automation while pursuing a strategy with Boston Dynamics to improve manufacturing efficiency and production flexibility. CarBuzz analyzed that these investments could serve as a foundation for lowering production costs over the long term. The group’s in-house steelmaking capabilities could also help it respond to fluctuations in raw-material prices and manage manufacturing costs.
In a separate report, CarBuzz said Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation sold 920,383 vehicles in the United States during the first half of this year, up 3% from the same period a year earlier. Hybrid sales rose 65.5% to 225,321 units during the same period.
CarBuzz identified the broad hybrid lineup as a key factor behind the sales increase. Amid slowing demand for electric vehicles, the outlet assessed that offering hybrids, electric vehicles, and internal-combustion-engine vehicles together helped the companies respond to changes in the market.
[email protected] Dong-ho Kim Reporter