Pros and Cons of Korean SUVs

papadomski

I plan to buy a new SUV to replace my 5 yr old Montero and while I have no complaints about my current ride I want to try something different this time.

I am seriously considering the Hyundai Sta. Fe and the Kia Sorento however I really have no idea if they are worth their upwards of P1.8M price tags.

I have scoured the internet for info and talked to friends who own either a Hyundai or Kia vehicle however everything online seems to be a praise release while on the other hand all my friends are advising me to stick to Japanese brands (most of them citing dealer after sales service as the main issue although two of them had issues with quality).

So for a more unbiased view maybe you guys here can list down the pros and cons of the Korean SUVs. Note that I am not asking for a review of the Sta. Fe or Sorento, all I want to know is it really worth plunking almost P2M for a Korean made vehicle.

Thanks,

kelunji

I think they offer pretty good value for what you are paying. Kung sa Japanese brands option lang, sa kanila standard na, and instead of going for the Asian-looks, they went for the Euro-theme. They've already shed their image of "disposable" from 15-20 years ago. I myself am looking at the Sorento for my next car.

GoshAbelgosh

I have a 2012 Sta Fe and I can say that it's definitely worth it at 1.558M.

Wala naman akong problema so far. Solid, Matipid at matulin. The only thing that really surprised me in a not so good way was the cost of maintenance.

I know you're asking about korean cars in general but I can't speak for all korean cars.

j_luna101

My family recently acquired a Grand Sta Fe and my current suv is the new sorento. Mura ang sorento 2.2crdi it just around 1.3 mil when I purchased it. Overall value maganda ang build and very powerful engine considering both the Sta fe and Sorento are just 2.2L crdi in displacement. I smoke monteros, pajeros, fortuners and even some 2.0L gas cars. You get a lot of kit for the price tag. I think the only stigma some people have with a kia and a hyundai is that "it's korean" nothing more. In most countries nga they hold those 2 brands at par or even above some European brands in terms of value and performance. But also like with ALL car manufacturers there still tends to be 1 or 2 lemon units.

K.I.L.L.

The only Korean we have is a Starex. It's an imported one though as the local units have speed limiters and doesn't have all the options. So far, I've been pretty happy with it but then again, after a year of use, it's only done 4600 miles so far.

I know a few people who have gotten upset at the "5-year" warranty as it's not really 5 but 3+2 wherein you have to have met their criteria to qualify for the remaining 2. I've also been told that maintenance is pretty pricey but I personally don't have any experience with the local dealerships in Manila.

Would we buy another Starex? I wouldn't mind as I like the ride and the power. I won't bother with the SUVs though as I prefer Japanese.

jason_10

We have a Kia Soul. Warranty is 5 years. However, PMS is expensive. Last PMS costs 16k. You have to wonder while a Toyota's consumable parts cost so much less.

Exgirlfriend

Our trusted mechanic warned us from buying a korean car.

according to him (with his years of expertise) magaling lang ang korean car pag bago, pero pahirapan kapag nasira na ang mga piyesa nito.

avantemd

drive the sta fe first. then decide. ibang iba ang ride ng sta fe/sorento sa montero

kelunji

Just bought the Sorento. And yes, ibang-iba ang ride at handling niya kesa Montero at Fortuner.

kaldereta75

I had a 2011 Tucson GLS , sold it after 2years for a brand new 4x4 pick up...
If i had to buy another korean brand, it would be the Grand Starex.

cotton_on

siguro ang cons of owning a Korean SUV will be the PMS. sabi daw sa mga nabasa ko sa auto sites like autoindustriya na karamihan ng mga dealers especially Hyundai, minamadali ng mga mekaniko yung PMS ng mga sasakyan.

kelunji

cotton_on wrote: »

siguro ang cons of owning a Korean SUV will be the PMS. sabi daw sa mga nabasa ko sa auto sites like autoindustriya na karamihan ng mga dealers especially Hyundai, minamadali ng mga mekaniko yung PMS ng mga sasakyan.

Yeah, I think quality-wise, its already up there with the big-boys, the only let-down is the local after-sales support.

BeerhandBop

" Last PMS costs 16k. You have to wonder while a Toyota's consumable parts cost so much less. "

that's crazy.

kaldereta75

true, mababa resale value ng Hyundai Tucson especially kung gas model.

j_luna101

yep, that's true all gas models of hyundai and kia are being sold low maybe for the exception of the sonata and genesis. Diesel models 2010 and newer tend to hold their value compared to their japanese counterparts.

Have to agree with you guys that it's sadly true about their after sales support halos di na nagbago. Specially yung incident na nasunog yung Hyundai Sta Fe... walang ownership yung HARI sa incident and citing it wasn't their fault at parang kasalanan pa ng owner.

mr_yuso

I'm a Kia vehicle owner. After sales support is poor, I purchased my car from Kia operated by Wheels Inc. IMO, nasa management din yan, supportive naman yung dealer namin at ok din naman yung unit na nabili namin. After sales support lang talaga mairereklamo ko.

jason_10

The late models for Kia/Hyundai are really impressive when it comes to the design. Compared to their offerings 10 years ago. But when it comes to their engines, especially gasolines, parang not yet "there". Malakas sa gas. Kaya it tends to get low resale value. However they have 5 year warranty which is good, however you are tied to have your car maintained by the dealership. What I can't accept is the expensive parts and labor. You couldn't even bring your own oil, even if it has the same viscosity.

kelunji

mr_yuso wrote: »

I'm a Kia vehicle owner. After sales support is poor, I purchased my car from Kia operated by Wheels Inc. IMO, nasa management din yan, supportive naman yung dealer namin at ok din naman yung unit na nabili namin. After sales support lang talaga mairereklamo ko.

I got my unit from the same dealer. Haven't had my first PMS yet, so di ko alam kung ok sila. Pero sabi rin sa akin pwede naman daw sa ibang casa gawin (basta't Kia Motors din). Tsaka may bago rin sila promo na online registration and you get discounts on labor and parts.

jason_10 wrote: »

The late models for Kia/Hyundai are really impressive when it comes to the design. Compared to their offerings 10 years ago. But when it comes to their engines, especially gasolines, parang not yet "there". Malakas sa gas. Kaya it tends to get low resale value. However they have 5 year warranty which is good, however you are tied to have your car maintained by the dealership. What I can't accept is the expensive parts and labor. You couldn't even bring your own oil, even if it has the same viscosity.

Yung resale value, siguro can be explained by 1) its gas, mababa talaga resale value ng mga yan, 2) unfortunately, may stigma pa rin na "non-Japanese". Pero if you look at it, most "Japanese" cars sold locally were never released in japan or even outside the ASEAN area, while Korean cars sold locally are also sold more or less as is in Europe, Australia, US, etc.

mr_yuso

kelunji wrote: »

I got my unit from the same dealer. Haven't had my first PMS yet, so di ko alam kung ok sila. Pero sabi rin sa akin pwede naman daw sa ibang casa gawin (basta't Kia Motors din). Tsaka may bago rin sila promo na online registration and you get discounts on labor and parts.

Ma-try nga online registration nila. Thanks for the info kelunji!

Santa_Mood

Ok naman ito.

Bumili kami ng Korean SUV para pag-practisan ng bunso kong kapatid mag-drive.