Study: Hyundai customer loyalty upends Toyota, Honda, takes #1

[coolmazda5]

It's no secret that Hyundai has been enjoying a healthy dose of praise lately, especially with fresh new products like the Genesis, Tucson and Sonata garnering a lot of media attention. But it isn't just the press that thinks Hyundai is on a roll Kelley Blue Book now reports that the automaker now holds the Number One spot in brand loyalty, with 56.3 percent of Hyundai owners looking within the brand for new car purchases. Honda continues to hold the second place rank at 55.8 percent, and Toyota, in light of its recent recall woes, is down 4.4 percentage points to 53.3 percent, putting it in the third place spot.

Furthermore, the Sonata is now KBB's fifth most-researched new vehicle, mostly due to the hype surrounding the stylish new 2011 model. The only vehicles ahead of it on the list are perennial mainstays, such as the Honda Civic, Accord, CR-V and Toyota Camry.

KBB market analysts believe that Hyundai should continue to promote its attractive new products, competitive price points and great warranty program in order to keep the momentum going (duh). These analysts also suggest that domestic automakers (Ford and GM, specifically) will prove to be Hyundai's biggest competition in the near future, as these brands are set to roll out a host of new products to win over consumers.

[Autoblog]

 

[coolmazda5]

Great improvements in style and quality it seems, yet not my cup of tea (dunno)

 

[BlackCherry06]

Taste and style are definitely subjective. I'd have much preferred Hyundai take the Sonata in Nissan's or Mazda's direction rather than Toyota / Lexus, stylewise. IMO, the 6 and Altima are far better looking than any Camry or Lexus ES in recent memory.

 

[Bu11dogg2]

, mostly due to the hype surrounding the stylish new 2011 model.

say what?

 

[Kymerik]

i dont like the new sonata on the outside at all

 

[1sty]

I like the styling of this one:

WITH JUST A $649 TUNER:

 

[Kymerik]

the genesis and genesis coupe put the sonata's styling to shame

 

[coolmazda5]

^^Yup

What the article also highlights is the fact that the Japanese brands are no longer the cream of the crop as it was believed years ago

Nissan and Mazda also fall into the "Japanese" brands, so I guess it affects all the Japanese manufacturers and makes them open their eyes

 

[TinmanMS6]

So I'm the only one who likes the new Sonata? (dunno)

 

[R-X-R]

they r tricking us all

 

[coolmazda5]

So I'm the only one who likes the new Sonata? (dunno)

Not according to the KBB

they r tricking us all

(laugh)

 

[Newf]

just me or does the styling of the sonata look like someone stepped on the hood. It's looks squat or something

 

[speed1585]

take out the crease in the side of the sonata and it looks like a new 6, then its destroyed my camry like influences

 

[genericuser]

This doesn't surprise me. Hyundai has silently caught up to the marketplace.

 

[skylar2ups]

So I'm the only one who likes the new Sonata? (dunno)

I like it and has anyone seen the commercial where they talk about the paint that goes on the Sonata and how it is better then the MB CLS550, I came across THIS thread where they are bashing the heck out of Hyundai, I personally think the new Sonata is stylish?

 

[genericuser]

I don't mind it, but I don't think I'd ever buy one. I don't like cars that lack a manual option.

 

[1sty]

On paint..there are several areas where the paint did not go on quiet right on my car.
You have to be REALLY close and have the sun hit it just right, but its there.