2016 Kia Optima

https://youtu.be/75tuD62r8hQ

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Maverick Jester said:
Oh, OK. Brand perception is a tough one to change.
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Although they aren't bad they are still just never quite there.

They have the value thing going sure, but the interiors are still too angular, too hard to the touch etc.

My 2008 Golf still manages to have a better quality feel to the interior, albeit with less features, than a new top spec Kia.

So it's not perception as much as fact.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Although they aren't bad they are still just never quite there.
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The higher end Kia and Hyundai vehicles are actually pretty much up there in my opinion.
Have you driven in a Kia Sorento or Hyundai Sante Fe?

They have the value thing going sure <snip>
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Not any more.
I am very displeased with the way the local agents pushed their prices up.
I currently drive a 2010 Cerato and won't part with it (it's a solid vehicle) but the local prices have gone through the roof and South Korean vehicles are no longer good value for money.
For the same money one can buy a decent, low mileage German vehicle.
 
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Paul_S said:
The higher end Kia and Hyundai vehicles are actually pretty much up there in my opinion.
Have you driven in a Kia Sorento or Hyundai Sante Fe?



Not any more.
I am very displeased with the way the local agents pushed their prices up.
I currently drive a 2010 Cerato and won't part with it (it's a solid vehicle) but the local prices have gone through the roof and South Korean vehicles are no longer good value for money.
For the same money one can buy a decent, low mileage German vehicle.
Click to expand...

Have been in both the Optima and Sante Fe yes.

Like I said it's mostly there it's a case of "almost" on par but never quite there.
 
Afaik the Optima is no longer sold in SA due to "market conditions"
 
Paul_S said:
The higher end Kia and Hyundai vehicles are actually pretty much up there in my opinion.
Have you driven in a Kia Sorento or Hyundai Sante Fe?



Not any more.
I am very displeased with the way the local agents pushed their prices up.
I currently drive a 2010 Cerato and won't part with it (it's a solid vehicle) but the local prices have gone through the roof and South Korean vehicles are no longer good value for money.
For the same money one can buy a decent, low mileage German vehicle.
Click to expand...

Same here.

Else Mazda is looking mighty attractive again as a value offering.
 
Its going to struggle. South African's just dont seem to like the D-segment cars if they're not German. Even the Camry struggled and finally gave way to the 3 Series and C-Class and A4 which overtook it.

The Ford Fusion is another classic case, its an amazing car, spec'd std probably higher than most german cars unless you pay R100K+ in extras but its not flying out of the showroom floors. Neither did the Sonata much, nor the Renault Laguna. The latter of which came to SA with keyless entry & Start button when the Germans were still punting a metal car key...

So the Optima, however great it is (and i've been in a new one overseas, it IS good) will just not sell well here. Until the market gets off this
"I want a sizable family sedan, let me find my closest BMW/Merc/Audi dealership... " mentality. And i'm not saying the German cars are no good, they are - but the days of them being the only solid options are over.
 
Car-smooching battle: Texan woman wins a Kia after kissing it for 50 hours

Texas - After 50 hours of kissing a Kia Optima at the Southwest Kia dealership in Round Rock, Dilini Jayasuriya has been named the winner in an arduous, week-long car-snogging competition in Texas.

Only seven people remained in the 96.7 KISS FM's Kiss A Kia contest as organisers decided to name a winner via a lucky draw. The rules stated that if the competition entered its 50th hour and there was more than one contestant remaining, Kiss FM would draw the final winner instead.

Car-kissing not in vain for losers

The kissing began at 7:00am (US time) on April 17 but the kissing wasn't all in vain for the other car-snoggers as six contestants received smaller prizes.

The contestants were required to keep their lips on the vehicle the entire time but were allowed a 10 minute break on the hour. Talk about chapped lips.

Watch the final few moments of the Kiss a Kia competition:

http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/car-...-a-kia-after-kissing-it-for-50-hours-20170420

[video=youtube_share;8e5zhu6pk7o]https://youtu.be/8e5zhu6pk7o[/video]
 
neoprema said:
Its going to struggle. South African's just dont seem to like the D-segment cars if they're not German. Even the Camry struggled and finally gave way to the 3 Series and C-Class and A4 which overtook it.

The Ford Fusion is another classic case, its an amazing car, spec'd std probably higher than most german cars unless you pay R100K+ in extras but its not flying out of the showroom floors. Neither did the Sonata much, nor the Renault Laguna. The latter of which came to SA with keyless entry & Start button when the Germans were still punting a metal car key...

So the Optima, however great it is (and i've been in a new one overseas, it IS good) will just not sell well here. Until the market gets off this
"I want a sizable family sedan, let me find my closest BMW/Merc/Audi dealership... " mentality. And i'm not saying the German cars are no good, they are - but the days of them being the only solid options are over.
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Agree with you regarding SAfricans and D-seg cars, but I think the Fuzions biggest stumbling block has been price. It's just too expensive for what it is. This new Optima is really gorgeous - inside and out - and the Korean brands have come along way, though Hyundai is still more desirable than Kia (I don't really get why). I think it could sell if they priced it right, as a really good value proposition. Doubtful though. I think the new Sportage is overpriced for what you get.
 
Red Dot awards: Best car designs of 2017 revealed…

The winners in the “Red Dot Award: Product Design 2017” competition have received their trophies, with a number of vehicles scooping various design awards in the automotive category.

The jury had earlier revealed its so-called “Best of the Best” product designs, which this year included the Audi Q2, Kia Optima Sportswagon, Ferrari J50 and Mazda MX-5 RF.

But now further “Red Dot” gongs have been handed out to the BMW 5 Series, Citroën C3, Ferrari 458 MM Speciale, Ferrari GTC4Lusso, Hyundai IG Grandeur, Hyundai Genesis G80 Sport, Kia Rio, LaFerrari Aperta, Peugeot 3008, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Kodiaq and Volvo V90 Cross Country.

Finally, “Honourable Mentions” went to the Borgward BX5, Hyundai i30 and Kia Niro.

Manufacturers and designers from 54 countries had entered their wares in the “Red Dot Award: Product Design 2017” competition. A jury comprises of 39 experts from across the globe then convened in Essen to assess each individual product.

http://www.carmag.co.za/news_post/red-dot-awards-best-car-designs-of-2017-revealed/
 
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