Hyundai Grandeur Facelift Nabs 10,277 Orders in South Korea

The updated Hyundai Grandeur launched in South Korea with numbers that can't be dismissed as a fluke. On the first day, it racked up 10,277 orders—a strong signal in a market that increasingly talks only about SUVs and EVs.

That's the second-best launch day for a facelifted Grandeur. Only the sixth-generation IG refresh did better, with 17,294 orders on its first day back in 2019. Clearly, the large sedan is far more than an old habit for Hyundai—it's a real demand driver.

Hyundai attributes the interest to the design, revamped interior, and digital features. The New Grandeur got substantial changes inside and out, plus a new Pleos Connect infotainment system. The company wants the car to be seen not just as a business-class sedan but as a smart device on wheels.

On the powertrain side, gasoline leads with 58% of orders. Hybrid accounted for 40%. But Hyundai says that's not due to weak interest in the hybrid, but rather delivery schedules: because of procedures to include the model in the list of eco-friendly vehicles, hybrid deliveries are expected in the second half of the year.

The most telling figure is the trim distribution. The top-spec Calligraphy took 41% of all orders, compared to 29% for the previous Grandeur. Buyers clearly aren't going for the cheapest version—they want status, premium materials, and extra equipment. The new Smart Vision Roof, a first for Grandeur and available on Calligraphy, was chosen by 12.4% of customers.

Hyundai says the high demand reflects customer expectations for design, features, and digital innovation. But behind the corporate speak, the takeaway is simpler: in Korea, the Grandeur still works as a status symbol. And as long as buyers are willing to put their money behind a large sedan, talk of its demise is premature.