Kia Sedona Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
There aren't any strong reasons not to buy the Sedona. Yet when a friend recently bought a minivan his wife wouldn't even look at the Kia. Why not? Because it's a Kia. Some bases for this prejudice remain. Past Sedonas haven't been nearly as reliable as a Sienna or an Odyssey. Plus many Kia dealers have been with the company since its less illustrious days. Their showrooms can be small and shabby (though some newer ones are anything but), and they developed a culture that focused on buyers most other auto makers would not loan money to. I recently stopped into a Kia dealer to research how the seats operate in a lower level Sedona--and was kicked out. I'd folded and unfolded the seats a couple of times, and was in the driver seat when the sales manager informed me: "We're going to be showing this van soon, and can't have you slamming stuff around in here. So I'm going to have to ask you to leave." I've been visiting car dealers to gather information for my reviews for over 15 years. The great majority have been very helpful. This is the first time I've been bounced from one. Maybe the manager didn't have faith that the seat mechanisms could withstand a couple of folding and unfolding cycles? Whatever the manager's motivation--I still can't believe it happened--that dealer isn't doing much to improve Kia's image. see full Kia Sedona review |
Kia Sedona Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 250-horsepower 3.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
It says "Kia" on it, and people still think that Kia means "unreliable" - Wife and I love driving the thing. see full Kia Sedona review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 244-horsepower 3.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Sedona and Kia have a reputation for low cost but also low brand image for quality. I think they have made great strides on the quality side and in improving the overall designs in the latest models see full Kia Sedona review |
Honda Fit Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 117-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed automatic FWD |
Honda has a known reputation for lasting without issues. I owned a Honda Civic in the past and never had any issues over 70,000 miles of driving. see full Honda Fit review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 117-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
see depreciation see full Honda Fit review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 117-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Well regarded...great resale value see full Honda Fit review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 117-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Always heard good things see full Honda Fit review |
2009 | 4dr Hatch 117-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Had a Honda Accord prior and was pretty happy with the overall quality. see full Honda Fit review |
2009 | 4dr Hatch 117-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I have owned several Honda products and all have been stellar. see full Honda Fit review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 109-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
When you buy a Honda you expect the value to stay high and should have few mechanical issues. see full Honda Fit review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 109-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
company focus on safety independent of trim line, reliable, durable, practical cars see full Honda Fit review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 109-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Honda has a very good reputation for building quality vehicles that last a long time. see full Honda Fit review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 109-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed automatic FWD |
Reliablity see full Honda Fit review |
Honda Fit Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Hatch 117-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Honda is basically resting on its past laurels with this car. It could be the best car sold here in the USA. Honda's new Accord is fairly quiet, but it seems that they have ignored the vast majority complaining that their cars are noisy for years!. They seem to be associating ambient noise as an acceptable quirk. No longer. There are smaller more efficient cars that are a lot quieter. Being the most reliable does not equate to truly being in love with the car. If this car was quieter or smoother riding, I would absolutely buy it even with the price premium. Until then however, my money is better spent elsewhere. see full Honda Fit review |