What happens with Hyundai/Kia get their act together?

[tasdex]

had a holiday in sydney last year and was presented with the kia optima on arrival at the rental joint . was expecting a hyundai i45 , but thought what ever ,,, did not realy want it as it was ,,,i have an adversion to every crappy beat up bogan excel drivers that just swing their door into the side of your car in carparks .

car drove very well , shifted gears ohh so smooth , no slouch when the loud pedal was squeezed .
steered very well , even had a sharp turning circle for a car its size .
was no real crash/bang harshness over unexpected potholes or the like .
it was quiet inside to ,, notr even no real mirror " whistle " with windows down .
and no thumping from having all windows down .
vision from all angles was good , its reverse camera in the mirror was a boon .
all controls in the car had a quality feel ,,other than the paddle shifters ,," felt a bit bendy/brittle " didnt bother using them any way .
boot was enormous ,, swallowed up our bags and luggage with tonnes of room to spare .
if you have hip or back problems , entering the car was not a problem for any door .
heaters and aircon was exceptional , as was its quickness to defog all windows .
the " faux" leather did however feel a bit cheap ,, and have had a family member note that it shows up leather rub easily ,," briefcases etc " .
one thing i did not like , is the " hand/parking " brake ...old fashion holden torrana kick pedal .
worked well ..... but having spine problems/scatica ,,, the angle of the pedal ''' having to pull your knee up so far to start engaging the park brake was just excessive ..
i mentioned to my miss that if it was mine , id cut the pedal and reangle the pedal lower .
other than that , id buy one without a worry ,,, the warranty alone is a good selling point . and in my opinion a better car " sorry " than the bf falcon ,

in saying that ,,, little miss still wanted a second focus ..

[SpoolMan]

Kia in a bit of hot water over there fixed price servicing, there straight on the front foot and will refund any over charges.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/26...ice-servicing/

[mrghia]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

Hyundai is great at producing moderately engineered , filled with gadgets cars in large quantities for people who don't know much about cars or driving. They are yet to produce anything with flair or desirable - something even remotely iconic.
Where is Hyundai's NSX , RX7 , WRX , Landcruiser , Wrangler ,MX5 ,XR6T , Monaro , GT , GTR ... They build MOR a to b cars well but that's about it. I 'd rather support companies with flair.

im fairly sure the people in the states are happy with there rwd turbo v6 genesis coupe.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by mrghia

im fairly sure the people in the states are happy with there rwd turbo v6 genesis coupe.

260kW and 400Nm, coming here in 3 engine variants.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/211272/h...-coupe-review/

[Hawkeye84]

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Kia in a bit of hot water over there fixed price servicing, there straight on the front foot and will refund any over charges.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/26...ice-servicing/

They avoided the fine by working with the ACCC, Volkwagen took their "lifetime" warranty off their site over night, the whole industry is on watch - no manufacturer is safe. They are all using Kia as a case study for best practices.

Lessoned learnt is that if you say capped servicing in your advertising and all your communication - you cant rely on a clause in your T&Cs that says the pricing can change at anytime - even if it increases by $1 a year etc. Capped is capped. The entire industry is on the ACCCs radar

[Hawkeye84]

The just launched Kua Carnival - massive improvement over the old one

http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-revi...24-13my3q.html

[Polyal]

Nah the C4 still kills it. Look at the price your now paying for a Kia.

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by mrghia

im fairly sure the people in the states are happy with there rwd turbo v6 genesis coupe.
image
image

Some riced Genesis pics prove your theory about Hyundai having iconic performance car in their portfolio ....not.

[Hawkeye84]

Actually C4 is more Kia Rondo sized car and has no where near as much space as Carnival hence the price.

ROndo presents better value

http://www.caradvice.com.au/284033/p...oyota-prius-v/

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye84

Actually C4 is more Kia Rondo sized car and has no where near as much space as Carnival hence the price.

ROndo presents better value

http://www.caradvice.com.au/284033/p...oyota-prius-v/

Ok fair point, but in that review the c4 does better than the Kia even at the higher price. Also notice it backs my comments on the drivetrains, the Kia's is pathetic to say the least.

[chookaradley]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Ok fair point, but in that review the c4 does better than the Kia even at the higher price. Also notice it backs my comments on the drivetrains, the Kia's is pathetic to say the least.

The Carnival runs with the 2.2 R Series diesel and the 3.3 V6 petrol. Both actually very good engines.

[csv8]

my i20 is now 2 months old, 1100kms, no rattles , squeaks etc, nothing fallen off. The new i20 thats coming is even better.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

Some riced Genesis pics prove your theory about Hyundai having iconic performance car in their portfolio ....not.

Perhaps, so just wait till its here, see Spoolmans post above

[Big_Daz]

The company I work for is "Downsizing" the fleet cars they give us.. I went from a VE Series 2 omega work hack to a 2014 Hyundai i30 Tourer with the 1.6 Diesel... So far I dont mind it.. The little diesel pulls pretty well and the interior is well built and has all the mod cons for a pov pack..

Has given me just over 10,000kms of hassle free driving..

Would I buy one.. No.. But only because when spending my own money I want something bigger and more performance orientated (hence the FG XR6T).. Would I reccomend one.. Definitely....

We are also looking at replacing my wife's 2010 CR-V with a Santa Fe Highlander Deisel...

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by Big_Daz

with a Santa Fe Highlander Deisel...

Our motoring bodies best car award in its segment Santa Fe Highlander Diesel, Kia Sorento 2nd.
http://www.australiasbestcars.com.au...0$45K-$65K.pdf

[Big_Daz]

Good find Spoolman, I had no idea.... We where looking at a Grand Cherokee Laredo Diesel but after seeing the Santa Fe, and what you get for your $$ pending a test drive I think we might be in...

[Polyal]

Wow this forum has changed. Im all for good product but when people are saying get a Kia over a Tdi Territory then you know the market place has gone to the dogs.

The Kia is $58k as tested.....Surely that gets your a TDi Titanium Tez?

[satria]

58k retail. I picked up a brand new Sorento Platinum in December '14 with every single option ticked including metallic paint for $47,388

Some options to quickly list:
-Slimline plates
-nudge bar
-tow bar
-windshields
-sidesteps
-all mats and rubber cargo mat

And a few more I probably forgot... Awesome bang for buck if you ask me!

Best Tez price I got (new top of the line) was 51k and we hadn't even negotiated options. To be fair I didn't end up trying as hard for the Tez because I settled for the Kia (much better car IMO)

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Wow this forum has changed. Im all for good product but when people are saying get a Kia over a Tdi Territory then you know the market place has gone to the dogs.

The Kia is $58k as tested.....Surely that gets your a TDi Titanium Tez?

Kia diesel engine is also up there with the 2.7L V6 the Territory has in terms of power and torque so engine wise the Kia also has the goods, I'd say its the best 4 cyl diesel on the market at the moment.

Imagine that 2.2L diesel engine in a hatch, 145KW/436NM, diesel hot hatch lol.

[PepeLePew]

Went hunting for pics of the thing from Geneva but got stuck on this one Oops sorry back on topic! Keen to see this Kia wagon.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Wow this forum has changed. Im all for good product but when people are saying get a Kia over a Tdi Territory then you know the market place has gone to the dogs.

I would place more respect on a car's test review when its done by Automobile Clubs of Australia (NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, and RACT).
Its a changing market for the first time in 14 years after getting a sting from our Focus, I went and had a look rather than just buying the blue oval out of loyalty.

[galaxy xr8]

I am a Ford man through and through, never even considered looking at any other brands when I purchased my XR8 especially considering the flogging it got by the media and still today by many. For me it was a Ford XR8 or nothing, but the times have changed as I am researching the Santa Fe against the Territory, the Kia does nothing for me what so ever but the Santa Fe does and considering how well it stack’s up against the Terri it can not be ignored.

I am yet to test drive one but I do look forward to that experience to settle my own mind, for me personally gone are the days where I will now buy a Ford product due to my alliance or personal preference to the brand, as sad as it is to say.

[Freiherr]

I have an XR8 on order for June delivery. It will be our Sunday drive car.
The work horse in our family is a 2010 Santa Fe Highlander. 120K so far without any fault. The 2.2 R diesel is a beautiful motor mated to a good 6 speed auto. Heaps of torque and a great tourer. 8 L/100 km around town and very roomy interior.
Wife uses her 2008 i30 diesel for shopping and to ferry the kids around. She loves the i30. The only thing that was faulty and covered under warranty were 2 bad glow plugs. Great little car.

[AuFairlaneV8]

Originally Posted by mrghia

im fairly sure the people in the states are happy with there rwd turbo v6 genesis coupe.
image
image

The windows from the side view really ruin this car, not sure if the designers were playing a joke or something, but once it is seen it cannot be unseen

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Wow this forum has changed. Im all for good product but when people are saying get a Kia over a Tdi Territory then you know the market place has gone to the dogs.

The Kia is $58k as tested.....Surely that gets your a TDi Titanium Tez?

Maybe its the Territory that's gone to the dogs and not the forum.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

I would place more respect on a car's test review when its done by Automobile Clubs of Australia (NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, and RACT).

They're no longer the authority since they got rid of the good in-house expertise they had many years ago. Even Wheels would be a better source. I'm fairly impressed with the competence of Caradvice.com.au

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Maybe its the Territory that's gone to the dogs and not the forum.

Ford may have let go of the marketing but Territory is still the benchmark in driveability and combination of driveability and practicality. Most of the reviewers still hold that view. It will leave a big hole in the market at that price/model level.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Maybe its the Territory that's gone to the dogs and not the forum.

After looking at a range of SUV's in the past couple of months. Terri is still up up there. A lot of brands are over rated...Mitsu has the have the worst in class.

[AndyXR6T]

Pains me to say it, as I've also been "ify" about these brands over the years, but my next car will be a hyundai Santa fe. Good but of gear and ticks all the boxes, the only thing I don't like is the hyundai name

[satria]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

I am a Ford man through and through, never even considered looking at any other brands when I purchased my XR8 especially considering the flogging it got by the media and still today by many. For me it was a Ford XR8 or nothing, but the times have changed as I am researching the Santa Fe against the Territory, the Kia does nothing for me what so ever but the Santa Fe does and considering how well it stack’s up against the Terri it can not be ignored.

I am yet to test drive one but I do look forward to that experience to settle my own mind, for me personally gone are the days where I will now buy a Ford product due to my alliance or personal preference to the brand, as sad as it is to say.

Can I ask why yourself and AndyXR6T are considering the Santa Fe Highlander over the Sorento Platinum?

I personally don't mind what your reasons are it's just that in December when it came down to buying one I could get the KIA for much less but under the skin it's very much the same car. Even all the switch gear in the car itself are identical!

The only real advantage I saw in the Hyundai was it has more modern styling exterior & interior because it's a newer car but to me the KIA with the updated tail lights/front light arrangement looked better although that is subjective.

The things that are measurable though is the KIA had a 7 year warranty vs Hyundai's 5 and fully optioned up was thousands of dollars cheaper, I was just a little unsure and still am when I see the Santa Fe's on the road as to why people chose them over the KIA. I just put it down to those people prefer the look of the Hyundai much better or they just plan to move the car on before then anyway, am I right?

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by vztrt

After looking at a range of SUV's in the past couple of months. Terri is still up up there. A lot of brands are over rated...Mitsu has the have the worst in class.

Curious what you base your comments re Mitsubishi on?