Hi guys i was always driving Japan cars until now i want some upgrade. I want to move to Korean cars, especially Kia Seltos Sport and Hyundai Kona.
Can someone please give me suggestions about those cars, how are they reliable? By the way my budget maximum only $36k.
Moving from Japanese away is ALWAYS a downgrade
but hey it comes down to the fine print and how you can enforce advertised warranties
I have the same feeling as well, but still wondering Korean car quality now. Their quality should be improve from time to time right ?
Me driving a Kia!
Best car I owned
WORST dealer experience!!!
This would have been a valid question 20 years ago. In 2023 you should be asking the same question regarding the Chinese vs Koreans/Japanese.
What took the Koreans 20 odd years to achieve the current build quality and brand recognition it looks like the Chinese will do in 5 years or less specially in the EV space.
Definitely haven't owned a korean car. They're incredibly reliable, Sportage just hit 290,000k's with zero issues.
Same can't be said for my friend's 6 year old Camry which is falling apart after 90,000k's.
New wheel bearings
Automatic gearbox needs to be replaced
Even the most reliable cars have their issues.
my Camry did 300kk without issues, zero dealer issues. Corollas never had an issue. Cruisers, top notch.
Sportage radio is a disaster, cruise control is a joke, some panels lose paint,
Engine now has vibration issues, common issue with no dealer fix.
Thanks for proving my point.
They’ll be fine. Korean cars, n the whole, have been pretty reliable for the last 20 years. For the last 10 they’ve been pretty decent quality too.
My Wife has a Hyundai Tuscon Elite N-Line and very happy with it. So I would assume the Kona is very much the same, just a bit smaller. If you could afford the N-Line in the Kona upgrade, definitely recommend it for the tech and the LED lights. It is about $2k difference I think it was.
Tucson - just sayin'
Oh well, you know what I mean.
Both cars are great, but none of them will be any "sporty" even with n-line badge (just in case if you expect it to be a miracle). These two will be really underwhelming in terms of performance so I would recommend taking it for a test drive to check out if you can live with that CVT.
In terms of features alone I think seltos sport offers much more than basic kona (especially that fancy dashboard), but I don't quite remember the size of seltos. Kona had become a bit bigger (in size and space) in the last gen, so if this is something you care about then don't forget to check itout.
Thanks buddy, really appreciate it. But the thing is the quality of Kia sport will be better ?
Oh, it's pretty much the same manufacturer so quality-wise they must be absolutely identical. I think the only major difference as of today is that KIA still does aus specific tuning for suspension, but Hyundai suspended local r&d. I personally never cared about it as the roads are more or less good around my place, but if that's not the case for you then do compare it as well.
I've seen heaps of people complaining about the constant over speed warnings on these things. Basically the cameras pick up speed signs and an audible warning is played the moment you go over that speed. Lots of incorrect signs being picked up all the time and it can't be permanently turned off.
Lots of incorrect signs being picked up all the time
I don't have issues in my Ford Ranger PX3 or my wife's Tucson. Both are actually very good.
it can't be permanently turned off
Yes it can. I've been able to turn off the warnings in my Ranger and wife's Tucson.
It can't be turned off permanently in the Seltos. Lots of phantom 40kph areas that don't exist, and it doesn't consider school times for school zones.
Rumour has it there will be an update coming early next year, but been hearing that since launch.
Surprising since Kia and Hyundai are sister companies.
it doesn't consider school times for school zones.
The Tucson just says "school zone ahead" and only during the week.
@geekcohen: Yeah same with the 2023 Sorrento. No idea why the Seltos is different, they claim it was to support Euro requirements, maybe because the facelift in the 2023 they decided to include it? Could be the same then for the Kona since it's a full update.
Down voted for stating a fact to consider? I've literally read comments from people who have regretted buying the Seltos due to this feature and how much it annoys them and apparently the new Kona system is exactly the same. I'm glad it work fine on your Ranger a Tucson, but respectfully those aren't the two cars we're talking about.
You never said the model of car with the issue in your original post. Plus you make it sounds like it happens in EVERY modern car.
That's all cars…
Nah, mine just displays the speed in the cluster, it doesn't care if I exceed it by 100. Euro superiority 😉
Why Korean cars when you can buy Japanese? I am not sure about their reliabilty.
You’re living in the past. Koreans have been good quality for at least 10 years, and reliable but a bit lacking in quality for 20 years.
I had a 1993 Hyundai. Great car to drive, nice and reliable despite cooling a flogging but interior quality was a bit behind Japanese of the times. Just checked and it’s rego lapsed in 2006 so plenty long lasting.
Look around, there’s plenty of old Hyundais kicking on. The jelly bean excels were bullet proof.
Only time will tell.. The Koreans have been known for their engine and transmission problems you can follow and check numerous mechanics who are on YouTube e.g. Scotty Kilmer..I bet new ones are better so only time will tell. But my coins will always be on Japanese.
how are they reliable?
Good engineering and quality parts?
Just be aware waiting times on the Seltos is about 12 months or more. I know someone that was promised 6 months in Dec last year (for April 2023 delivery), pulled out after 10 months as the car never even reached production stage, as per dealer's own update. Dealer doesn't or unable to expedite, happily returns your deposit and moves on…
https://www.carsguide.com.au/hyundai/kona/vs/kia-seltos