

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 |
Subaru Forester Brand Reputation: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Well known reliability. Their cars last a long time. see full Subaru Forester review |
2010 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The all wheel drive go in all weather conditions reputation. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Known for making good cars. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Rugged, reliable, green--truly seems a brand that inspires loyalty and gives every reason to repeat as a customer see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Fine. It should be designated the official state car of New Hampshire! see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
local dealer is first or second in Northeast every year; other owners have generally positive comments; inmage says sensible, but reliable see full Subaru Forester review |
2006 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Automaker personally inspects everycar throughout production. Entire car line-up has highest safety ratings compared to others. see full Subaru Forester review |
2004 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Subaru AWD is great. see full Subaru Forester review |
2004 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
I have numerous friends with Subarus, all of them have had amazing great reliability with few, if any problems. see full Subaru Forester review |
2003 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
As noted above, stellar reputation among owners. reputation for being just a little different. see full Subaru Forester review |
Subaru Forester Brand Reputation: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Subaru is rare on France and Belgium raods. Not a lot of dealers see full Subaru Forester review |