dtech
Well-Known Member
Gotta agree about the CRV being a much better vehicle - you don't find things like alloy suspension components in Hyundai/KIA, Honda has a more refined drivetrain and it's reflected in the mpg ratings.As stated in another thread. Just traded our 17 Kia Sportage with 83500 miles trouble free. Kia did not want to deal but Honda sure did, got a 21 CR V. A lot better car (in my opinion) for less money than a new Kia. Dealer throws in 10 yr 200,000 mile power train warranty on every vehicle they sell at all of there dealer ships. Kia did perform an ECU update to help prevent engine damage,( which they offered a lifetime long block replacement) that we were going to ride out till end of 100,000 mile warranty, but the Honda deal was to good to pass up. Just got a recall notice from Kia on engine fire ,so if it goes up in smoke now its on the dealers lot.
If you had a Theta II engine the KIA -either a 2.4 NA or a 2.0T the engine update does nothing to protect the engine - it was only done to avoid a massive NHTSA mandate recall by using the knock sensor to give some advance warning of impeding engine failure, hundreds of thousands of the engines have failed, often seizing with no advance warning from crank bearing failure. When the knock sensor detects excessive crank knock it puts the engine into limp home mode, but in some case they still seize without warning. As far a a lifetime warranty of the engine - this results from a class action court settlement. Hyundai/KIA has never revealed the cause of the failures but evidence points to weak block construction.
I've driven turbo charged vehicles since the 80s but was about to buy a Grand Cherokee when Hyundai announced the Sante Fe with a 2.0t engine - it was rated at 264/269 hp/torque and 21/27 epa mpg nos, one week after I bought it Hyundai was nailed by the EPA for deliberating improperly testing mpg and restated the nos to 18/24 . They have been caught numerous times overstating engine output and mpg nos - I think they are perhaps more deceitful than any other automaker. but they do make decent autos for the price so their sales numbers continue to climb, they may surpass Toyota at some point.
When you look at lists of vehicles that last the longest - Hyundai/Kia has never been in the top 10 or 20 vehicles listed.
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