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 |
Mazda Mazda3 Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Good reputation, and quality is way up. JDPower just put them right at the top, over Civic see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 167-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Even though many disagree... The smile in the front of the 3 is in reality a "grin". Mazda designs vehicles that keep drivers want to test their vehicles and continue driving them. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Zoom Zoom is an effective marketing strategy. The original Rx7 (which I owned) put real go-cart style sports car performance in an affordable bracket. They continue to do so with the RX8, as well as the 3 and 6 see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 167-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I seem to like almost all the cars they produce. Sporty ones (mx-5, rx-8) and not so sporty ones (CX suvs, mazda6). Besides, Zoom-Zoom! see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Mazda has always been reliable and viewed as a fun to drive, sporty brand. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2009 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
This car has won Car & Driver Magazines Best Hot Hatch comparison 3 years running. It is THE BEST performance buy on the market. The 3 has good CR/CU/JD Power ratings. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2009 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Mazda lives up to its zoom tagline and is known for reliability and longevity. The 3 is the successor to the Protege5. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
"Fun" see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Good rep.... see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
mazda has a big mileage warrenty and is known for the cars having a sporty feel. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
Mazda Mazda3 Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The are not really known to be reliable and this is high in my list. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |