I mean in terms of actual product offering. IE, stinger/
g70. Same chassis, different body. Sonata/k5, same chassis, somewhat different body/skin. My point, driveline on both is the same, probably down to the gear ratios.
I believe the front subframes are totally different? Nevermind the fact the Stinger is a lift back. Meaning the rear is different to.
Is the
G70 worth the price increase? Not sure, not a fan of the new face lift. Interior is defiantly a little nicer depending on trim, and if you want the LSD in AWD in the States (Canada gets the LSD in the Stinger, and Stingers ONLY come AWD V6 here). But than again, the Stinger went up in price this year quite a bit, so the lines shifting towards the
G70 a bit imo.
Sonata/K5 I think those are quite a bit different. K5 is AWD, Sonata isn't. I've seen them both separately, but never side by side (Rumors are saying the Sonata N will be AWD, which would be insane)
Hyundai owns 30% of Kia, their HQs are right next to each other in Korea. That's about as much training as I get sadly. So the rest form here on is all educated guessing, and since our owner owns both a Hyundai and a Kia, and they are across the street from each other I do get hands on with both.
It seems the 2 companies actually compete with each other. Kia can see how well a Hyundai product does, and changes it for the better. Like the Sonata/K5, pretty different buyers, and the K5 is AWD. (although those launched at the same time).
Sorento/Sante Fe,
Sorento has a MUCH better interior, and drives like a small SUV despite its size. Which is a
Sorento design staple, previous gens were the same way. Sante-Fe is a bit more of a boat, but some people like that.
Kona/
Seltos is a VERY good example. There was a big time gap between them, and there's no comparison. The Setlos is leaps and bounds better than the Kona. I mean you can actually see out of the back window. So much so, that the Kona has been getting a massive list of new features this year just to compete.
Seltos has really shaken the market up. The new Corolla Cross you can tell, seems to be aimed STRAIGHT at the
Seltos.
And then there are others, Soul/Venue, I don't think they really share anything in common other than engine/transmission (But Hyundai/Kia uses that combo in
Forte/Elantra, Kona/
Seltos as well). So that might be a more of a parts bin idea.
From what I can tell, Hyundai generally does something first, release a new model, or update or whatever. Then it's an open book/parts bin Kia pulls from. But it seems Kia has 100% control over what they put out, they have very different design philosophies. It seems to be Hyundai doesn't really have a set goal or language. Some of their cars of shift handles, some of knobs. Some have volume knobs, some have a volume roller thing, some just use touch (Seriously don't get me started on the Santa Cruz interior. Gloss black everything, and EVERYTHING is a touch button). Hyundai's interiors are radically different from one model to another. And it's not a delay of updates, just look at any of their new releases. Kia seems to have a single cohesive language, the only stand out currently is the
Sportage, but that's long overdue for an update.
That being said it seems Hyundai does have first dibs. With this whole shortage thing, Kia is seeing longer delays with updates (NOT building cars let me be clear, Hyundai/Kia seem to be weathering this pretty well considering). The Hybrid Sante-fe came out a while ago, we are JUST getting Hybrid Sorentos, the new Tucson came out a very good long while ago, we aren't getting the new
Sportage for a bit (But pictures and such were released a good while ago, so my guess is it has something to do with the negotiations between the 2 companies)
TLDR: I think it's pretty clear the companies share alot, but I also think it's clear they are both very separate