Korea may not be mentioned in the same vein as Germany, Britain, Italy, the US, or even Japan when it comes to automobile production, but the country has shown that it has what it takes to make fantastic vehicles. Korean automakers have gone from being virtually non-existent to commanding a significant market share that seems to be growing each day.

RELATED: These Are The Best Korean Cars Money Can Buy

However, it has always been like that. Two decades or so ago, Korean automakers were viewed as the lesser quality and cheaper alternative to the already cheap Japanese brands. Fast-forward to today, and Korean automakers are producing cars with the style, performance, and value to rival the very best from their Japanese, European and American rivals, led by the two biggest manufacturers in the country — Kia and Hyundai. Let's explore ten reasons why Korean cars are so popular right now.

10 Accessible Prices

The front of the Hyundai Venue
Via Hyundai

The main reason why the popularity of Korean cars has exploded over the last two decades is their low prices. Like their neighbors, Korean automakers realized early that the only way to access the American and European markets was if their cars were much cheaper than their competitors.

2020 Kia Rio
Via thecarconnection.com

This is the reason why Korean cars are typically among the cheapest in any segment. For example, the Hyundai Venue is the second-cheapest subcompact crossover in the US, while the Kia Rio is among the cheapest sedans you can buy in 2021.

9 They Have The Best Warranty Deals

The front of the new Stinger Special Edition
Via Kia

Buying a car comes with many financial risks. Anything could go wrong, leaving the buyer with huge repair costs. This is where warranties come in. A warranty is almost like an insurance cover from the manufacturer, as it can cover thousands of dollars worth of repairs for free.

Kia Stinger GT On Track
Via: whichcar.com.au

When it comes to warranty deals, Korean manufacturers are unmatched. It all started in the early 2000s, when Hyundai and Kia shocked the world after offering the industry-first 10-year/100,000-mile warranties. To date, both brands still offer the best warranties in America.

8 Exquisite Designs

2022-Genesis-G80-Sport
Via genesis

In the mid-2000s, Kia and Hyundai identified design as the most important area of focus if they were going to break into the European market. As such, Kia hired ex-BMW designer Thomas Burkle to lead its design department, while Kia hired the renowned Peter Schreyer from Audi.

RELATED: These Are The Most Unique And Iconic Design Features Found On Cars

Hyundai i20 N (12)
via Hyundai Newsroom

As a result, Korean cars are some of the most beautiful in the world today and come with designs that can easily be mistaken for European cars. The Genesis brand demonstrates this point perfectly. The G90, for instance, is arguably better-looking than any American luxury sedan ever made, and some gearheads will even choose its design over European heavyweights like the BMW 7-Series.

7 High-Quality Interiors

Sonata Interior
Via: Hyundai

Korean manufacturers want drivers and passengers to enjoy every second they spend in their cars, so they equip them with the finest interiors. Unlike American cars, whose interiors are full of plastic and other low-quality materials, Korean cars have high-quality leather and comfortable seats.

stinger from beavertonkia.com
Via beavertonkia.com

And it's not just the luxury Korean cars that have high-quality interiors. Even the Hyundai Elantra — which costs around $20,000 — has a leather interior and heated front seats.

6 Plenty Of Luxury Options

Genesis G90
Via Genesis

The best luxury cars are typically made in Europe — brands like Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Bentley come to mind. However, Korean manufacturers have been honing their luxury-car-building skills over the last two decades and are now making luxury cars that can rival European options.

G90
via Kolsea.ru

The Genesis G90, for instance, is a Korean luxury sedan that many gearheads have labeled 'The Mercedes Killer.' It has all the elements of a luxury sedan — a gorgeous design, a high-quality interior with top-notch materials, advanced technology, and pleasant driving dynamics.

5 Reliability

Hyundai iMax Drift Van from Hyundai
Via Hyundai

Nobody likes cars that keep breaking down and forcing them to spend money on repairs — which is one of the reasons why many gearheads dislike American cars. Japanese automakers have always been regarded as the kings of reliability, as their cars can survive for decades with minimal repairs.

RELATED: 15 Of The Most Reliable Cars For 2020

2022-kia-telluride
via: KIA

Korean manufacturers have borrowed a leaf out of the Japanese book and are now making some of the most reliable cars. According to Consumer Reports, Hyundai is the fifth most reliable car brand in 2021.

4 Excellent Safety Scores

kia k5 gt
via kia

Safety standards have gone up over the last few decades, which means most cars rolling out of production facilities today are almost equally safe. However, a few stand out from the pack, and some of them are Korean.

2021 Kia K5 GT: Costs Facts and Figures
Via: Kia Media

For instance, the 2021 Kia K5 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a 2021 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. Most Korean cars also come with advanced driver assistance systems like forward collision warning, blindspot monitoring, and lane-keep assist as standard.

3 Great Value For Money

final sonata
Via: Hyundai

We've already mentioned that Korean cars are cheap compared to cars manufactured in other countries, but even at their affordable prices, they still manage to give customers more value for their money. Features that are typically reserved for high-end European cars can now be found in many affordable Korean vehicles.

Sonata
via Driving.ca

It's not uncommon to find amenities like Nappa leather interior, heated front and rear seats, ventilated seats, and advanced driver assistance systems in cheap models like the Hyundai Sonata. This 'more for less' philosophy is exactly why Korean manufacturers keep winning.

2 They Are Eco-Friendly

2021 Kia Niro EV Via Engadget
Via Engadget

The automotive industry is shifting towards the production of more eco-friendly vehicles, and Korean manufacturers have not been left behind. Both Hyundai and Kia were quick to join the hybrid bandwagon and now have a wide range of hybrids like the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, the Kia Niro, and the Hyundai Ioniq.

2020 Hyundai IONIQ Electric
via Guide Auto

Both Korean manufacturers are also some of the biggest Tesla competitors in the growing EV market. For example, the Kia Niro EV and the Hyundai Ioniq Electric are some of the cheapest EVs in the market today.

1 Superior Initial Brand Quality

Genesis-G80
via pinterest

Initial Brand Quality is a metric used to rank the build quality of brand-new cars. The ranking is based on the number of problems new vehicle owners report in the first three months after buying their cars.

Rear 3/4 view of the Electrified G80
Via Genesis

According to the 2019 JD Power Initial Quality Survey, Genesis clinched the top spot, with only 63 problems reported per 100 vehicles. Kia and Hyundai were right behind Genesis, making for an All-Korean top three. According to the 2020 report, Hyundai and Genesis went down in the rankings, but Kia was in first place.