yes

An easy 'yes' for me too. Nothing against Lexus at all as we all know they make world class cars. But history tells us this car will be thousands less. Maybe it won't be quite "as good" as a Lexus, but the price differnence should take care of that. Or hell, maybe it will be as good....

The photo of the rear (silver car) reminds me of the old Honda Accord slightly. Either way, I am still interested in how this car does and what the response will be from the other automakers.

Kind of reminds me of the Ssong-Yang fiasco back in the 90's when the Chinese began mimicking certain Mercedes-Benz models...

This Hyundai WON'T be your "poor man's Lexus". If that's what you want $18,000 will get you a nice used Toyota Avalon with wood/leather interior, auto everything and give you the Lexus feel without cutting corners on reliability.

To luscious: 1) Ssang-yong wasn't Chinese, they were Korean, and the fact that they were bought out by the Chinese later is tangential. 2) Ssang-yong actually *licensed* Mercedes-Benz designs and hardware.

Hell Yes
As long ai it is cheap. Doubt it though. Every car that comes to Australia is from 1.5X to 3X the cost as it is in the US.
Then again our proven Falcon and Commodores would still be better.

I will finally be able to afford a new luzury large barge. Only problem is devaluation as Hyundai and KIA's had major engine problems here in the 90's. They couldn't handle the heat.

But I would want it with a 6cylinder which I would assume they would put in a lower model. Perhaps thier 3.8L or even their 3.3L engine will do.

This thing sort of looks like a Lexus, especially the front. Put some Lexus badges on it and it will make you feel better.

I hope Hyundai has a really good product because I don't think a Hyundai badged car (considered below Toyota) will compete well against a Lexus. If anything this car will go head to head with the Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Ford Taurus etc. You'd be stupid to think this car will be able to compete an Acura let alone a Lexus.

Acura mate your kidding arn't you. Why do you yanks think they are so special. In other countries Acura's are just Honda's. Nothing special.
Then again all the other cars you get are not exactly great. Example I've seen your Camry. Campared to ours its crap, thats why we have the Camry and then we have a complete rebuild, the Toyota Aurion. Same goes for the Mitsubishi Galant, they completley overhauled it here and put the 380 badge on it. Thats also why you get cars significantly cheaper. They have to make them well crappier to compete(on price) with cheaply built American cars.

Hmm does this Hyudai replace the Grandeur(thats the luxury tank Hyundai we get in Australia currently) or will it be a higher model again. Sort of like an top model Accord against a Honda Legend.(Crap for youse its Acura). Well they better get the suspension right. The Grandeurs is simply well crap becuase it was aimed at the US. Stupidly soft.

Is that going to be the American version? Because it looks nothing like the concept.

Still looks cool though.

hmmm... hyundai... I'll probably take a Lexus. Not too convinced of Hyundai product quality and durability.

I'm driving a Hyundai Sonata (earlier model). When compared to a relative's Camry (half the life, double the driving distance)... the lack of quality shows. Failed alternator, fading colors, suspension problems.. etc. the Camry... nothing. and hes rougher on it than i am.

well... probably one gets what one pays for. i paid cheap to the dealer when they were clearing this model for the current new model to come in. damn.

btw.. i'm from the equator, Malaysia. so that might be a factor.

Luke:

"Then again our proven Falcon and Commodores would still be better."

Than what? They''re good cars. If it were 1993.

@brad

I'm no Australian, but didn't GM bring in the Monaro and Commodore as the GTO?

Thats admiting Autralians build better "american" musclecars?

Heh, wow. Lexus nose, BMW ass. How... predictable.

But it's pretty good looking, despite being conservative and unoriginal. I hope the car holds up well over time like high-end toyota/Lexus models.

I like the lexus front and BMW ass... its like finding a woman with Beyonce's face and Posh Spice's body. Woohoo.

If I had money for a Lexus, I would buy a Lexus, or any other established luxury brand. While Hyundai has come a long way since the late '80s, I would not want to buy a luxury Hyundai until they have proven to me that they can consistently build luxury cars.

Looks more like an M45 front with a 7 Series rear to me, not seeing the Lexus in it.

Anyways, IMO 75% of the people looking for a Lexus are looking for a status symbol, not a good deal. This would mean most people won't choose it over a Lexus. However anyone who's interested in Bang for the Buck, should snap one up in a heart beat.

LOL...

I realize Hyunday is supposed to be heading up market, and have made great strides in doing so the past decade.
Positioning Hyundai as their "luxury" division & Kia as their Econo line...

reminds me of how VW had to revamp their image from the old days...

I suppose this is a great step forward for Hyundai.
but as a skeptic... I'll have to see it to believe it (when they finally get to where they want to be)

Aiming at a company like Lexus...
That's like Acura saying they wanted to compete against Bentley.
While they do produce a fine auto... they are no where near the quality of a Bentley today, and also Bentley does not market cars to the sub $30k (US) range... stepping stone to the future or not...

"they are no where near the quality of a Bentley today"

Care to define quality? Because last I heard, realiability and build quality of Bentley's are sub par.

Looks great and very affordable (most likey). I would say 'yes'. The quality of Hyundai's have improved over the years.

why are acuras junk?

Reminds me of the original Lexus LS - Mercedes front end and BMW rear end.
Lexus is not at all selling well in South Africa. It remains a upmarket Toyota with below par driver enjoiment. BMW, Mercedes and Audi is each outselling them 20 to 1 here.
Hyundai here provides a comprehensive 5 years or 150k km warrenty on all of there vehicles. That excludes the factory paid for maintenance plans that includes service cost for a certain distance or years.

Dennisil: Acuras aren't exactly junk they're just under powered and over priced luxo's.

And this coming is from an Acura driver.

"Care to define quality? Because last I heard, realiability and build quality of Bentley's are sub par."

Of course, I will clarify what I meant.

When I purchased my Continental GT, I set out searching for a vehicle that offered me an extremely comfortable ride, something with ample amounts of power, something that offered a so called "above market" aesthetic appeal, and tactile feel.

I didn't want something that every other driver owned.
I wanted something unique, that I could have personalized (by that I don't mean green leather with a red exterior type of uniqueness).
I wanted something that was classy, with interior details that were somewhat "old world" with a bit of modern flare.
The Bentley product suited that perfectly for me.

I live in the country side, so country drives, drives into the city, drives into the nearby mountains are an absolute pleasure for me.

I shopped around for other GT (grand tourer) coupes, from Mercedes CL, Jaguar XKR's (No Aston Martin, nor Ferrari/Maserati dealers in my region, but there is a Bentley dealer!)
I even took a look at the Acura product!

Reliability for me, was not necessarily the make or break of my buying decision. As I have no problems paying to maintain my vehicles.
I realize that reliability is a measure of "quality" to many other people, and that is just fine.
Different strokes for different folks.

My criteria were met, and my auto has not given me any problems what so ever in the past 12 months of ownership.
It's fast, relatively sporty for a big car (it's more than what I need), and provided all the luxury and exclusivity I could ever ask for. Not to mention the service I have received from the retailer has been the best I've ever had anywhere.

That's basically what I meant to say... in not so many words of course.

As for the "why are Acura's junk?" question, I'm pretty sure if you read my posting again I mentioned "Acura produces a fine auto"

Example would be the under-appreciated RL.

Really a very fine auto!

Back to the topic... it took VW many years to climb back up market, as there are still many years of the stigma that it was the "common people's car"

As I mentioned before, Hyundai has made great strides moving up market, but they really should have their design teams work on a unique Hyundai look.
As with the recently shown Genesis coupe design, and the Hyundai pictured above.

Rather than stealing the Mercedes & Jaguar front ends, or the rear end of last generation's Honda accord.
Though I have to admit I was fooled many times and had to do a double take when look at at the badges on these autos.

Isn't Hyundai quality supposed to be top-notch the last couple of years? I mean we won't really know for another decade, but initial numbers are promising. That being said, for the money, I would take this over a Lexus. Of course if I could afford a Lexus, no way would I be getting this.

Hyundai has great quality of late...but the brand image is still going to be a drag on them. They should launch a new Luxury brand, rather than lump everything under the Hyundai name.

look on car update for the side view 100% bmw except the panals look dodgy and its a bit chunkier

@ Curtis R:

this vehicle will NOT be going up against the Avalon, etc, since Hyundai already has the Azera for that.

"I like the lexus front and BMW ass... its like finding a woman with Beyonce's face and Posh Spice's body."

/agree

Lexus buyers are buying the prestige, not necessarily the car. The cars themselves are well built, but are not exactly ground breaking in performance or design. In fact they are quite conservative. I have driven several and even the new IS is softly sprung (my opinion).

A Hyundai buyer is looking for good value for their money. They may also keep cars longer, and resale value is less meaningful. Maintenance costs and total costs of ownership become more important.

This seems like a very nice car. It would make a great luxury-commuter/family car. Take the money you save and put a down payment on a weekend sports car for Daddy :)

I would like to buy this car but GET REAL IT WILL NOT COMPETE AGAINST LEXUS!!! It may compete against American cars but is a long way away from Toyota and will never compete against Lexus.
I've test driven the Azera - Its ok - like a ford fusion. I own a Lexus and a Toyota. Hyundai's have moved up to average, not much better than average and certainly not excellent.
The proof is Consumers Reports and Edmunds. CR will show how their reliability is average and Edmunds will show they have one of the worst depreciations of any car.
Where does this car make sense? When it is 1/3 the cost of a Lexus at 80% of the quality. Cherry (chinese manufacturer) was suppose to be 1/3 the cost and coming to the US. This is the manufacturer to watch out for if they ever come.
Hyundai and Kia are not there yet. Why they insist on comparing themselves to Lexus - and having people drink the coolaide- is a great demonstration of advertising.
This all said, I purchase a vehicle for quality (I dont want to go back to the dealership to get it fixed), refinement, performance and prestige. The same reason I will never buy an American made car again.
In the end car costs seem to be out of control. Can you invest 40K in something that will lose 55% of its value in less than 3 yrs? I dont want to pay for expensive repairs, or have to waste time getting it to a shop. I wasted money with my Fords, Pontiac, and Chevys (but I wont with Mercedes or BMW). The rattles increased and ride deteriorated. Conversely I bought a 99 Lexus LX470 and havent had one problem. To be fair I do have a rattle in the dash (post collision)
Everyone wants a bargin but you get what you pay for IF you research it.

I don't think most of you know anything about cars when it comes down to it. Did you know that in 2006 Hyundai beat out both Toyota and Honda in quality ! Did you know that the Hyundai Vera Cruz beat out the Lexus RX 350 hands down according to Motor Trend. I love how people alway compare apples to oranges. Look at bottom line to bottom line and you will see that Hyundai is a trusted quality car.