U.S. built Hyundais are a big let down quality wise.

that's a pretty general statement, especially when the vast majority of NF Sonata owners are more than happy with their Sonatas and most of them were built in the US...

i understand that YOUR Sonata was not "right" and you had problems with it, but many, like myself, have had no real problems with their cars...

True the Ford 4 cyl was not as refined as say the Accords and the 6cyl lacked the grunt of the Sonatas v6 but the Fusion's driving dynamics were sooooo much better. My Father bought the 09 Fusion with the sport package and with the 18inch rims whe he hits a bump it doesn't kill you and is nicely controlled. I have the 17inchers on my Sonata and if I go over bumps the car gets really nuts. I know Hyundais solution for the bad ride was to go from a 50 aspect ratio to a 55 but Im sure that did not solve much. I am looking at getting the springs shocks and sway bars from an 09 SE sonata which hopefully will impove things. Also I must say that the wife's Santa Fe rides much much firmer and controlled than my Sonata. Go figure. after all it is a truck. but they do share platforms.

My next car will most likely be a Japanese or German luxury brand.

Not sure but looking at a Genesis 4.6L or a used Jaguar vaden plas