5th Apr 2008, 16:49

Kia budget manufacturer is light years ahead of Chevrolet mainstream manufacturer in terms of build quality - doubtful. It's like saying a fiat is better than a merc.

You don't happen to sell Kia by any chance; or are you just trying to convince yourself that you've bought one?

10th Apr 2008, 08:00

Like I said, the Kia badge does not bother us (got my Integra Type-R for the cool factor). We are only 25 and the badge snobbery really doesn't bother us. We could have got a much more expensive car, but why bother; if that car had Peugeot badges or Ford badges on it, it would be a best seller. Look at Hyundai, they were a "laughing stock" about 8 years ago, and look at where they are now with the likes of the Coupe and the Getz. All a car manufacturer needs is one breakthrough car to change their image, and the Cee'd is doing that for Kia. Still not convinced, then have a look at the amount of awards the car has won.

14th Apr 2008, 15:04

Kia have invested a billion euros in a brand new factory to build the Cee'd. Auto Express have been there to build one and drove it back to England and have kept it as a long term test car. To date nothing has gone wrong with it and they are very impressed with its build quality.

In the past Kia have produced some iffy cars, but judging by the Cee'd, they have finally started producing cars worth considering. A badge means nothing unless you are vain. I wouldn't hesitate to own a Kia over any of the other mainstream rivals.

All cars can go wrong - fact. The seven year warranty is excellent. The WHOLE CAR is covered for 5 years/100,000 miles, whilst the engine and gearbox are covered for 7 years/100,000 miles. I have read countless reviews on the Cee'd and I can't find a bad one, apart from some saying it lacks excitement, etc.

At the end of the day, it is a real contender against the astra/civic/focus etc. Unless people give brands like Kia a chance, they will never succeed (pardon the pun). Instead of comments like Kia are not comparable to brand x etc, do some research. I own a Vauxhall and believe me they have their fair share of problems. Even Japanese and German stuff goes wrong. Kia isn't trying to compete with a Golf or an A3 or a 1 Series. It is competing with Astra/Focus etc, and for the money there is no reason not to consider a Kia Cee'd, unless you're a badge snob.

21st May 2008, 15:13

I had a new Fiesta company car for two years, mid range and that was an awful car, I've had various times spent with an Astra, Golf, Meriva, Corolla, Focus, Mondeo, Fabia and a couple more I can't quite recall.

I was introduced to the Kia when my BIL's Xantia died (my original car that we both loved), we went to a Ford dealer and as usual the cars were over priced, I suggested a look at Kia, couple of hours later they bought a C'eed, which I was genuinely impressed by, not having driven a Kia, or seen the inside of one 56' I was more than impressed with the build quality, space and practicality of it and the small diesel engine was very nippy, just as nippy as my 55' 1.9TD Company Golf as it happens.

This is a site that reviews cars to assist people in choices; if you want to brag about certain cars, I sense you would be better off on a boy racer website.

I actually do like the C'eed, rather good car.

26th Sep 2008, 08:34

Reply to 10th Apr 2008, 14:42.

So if you are into the badge, would you buy a Mercedes instead?

Have a look at the reviews on Hyundai i30.

And then compare to the closest Mercedes, the A-Class.

Hyundai 50% more reliable - up to today's posts.

Anyone who thinks Hyundai are not reliable is way behind the times.

27th Sep 2008, 10:47

So many people wrongly slate Hyundai, who have moved the game on so much in the last few years. See recent comments about Hyundai being worse than Chevrolet (!!!) on the 2007 Chevrolet Kalos SE comment thread in the last few days.

Hyundai will be on the the largest car manufacturers in the world in the next ten years.

6th Nov 2008, 20:07

Kia and Hyundai are doing to the Japanese what the Japanese did to America. They are slowly taking away customers while improving their cars.

26th Aug 2009, 10:41

Further to my last and previous comment, Hyundai-Kia have now overtaken Ford to become the third largest car producer in the world.

26th Aug 2009, 17:42

Oh dear, it will be a sad world when the high and dry/kia (killed in action) consortium expands past the normal manufacturers.

26th Aug 2009, 17:45

The only reason Kia/Hyundai are getting any sales is because their cars are dirt cheap..

27th Aug 2009, 01:59

Well people are voting with their feet - you both have ideas from the past and should go and drive the new models.

No-one would want a 90s Kia or Hyundai, but the new models such as the I30 and Cee'd are just as good as their Focus etc counterparts. Look at the future models and perhaps they will move up to second largest manufacturer - see www.netcarshow.com for the Kia Venga and Hyundai IX35 for example - both "premium" models within their sector.

Oh, and they are not cheap cars now, either - simply a better package at the price than other "mainstream" manufacturers, and finding many homes due to high quality, high spec and class leading warranties.

See motoring magazines - e.g. Auto Express have run two I30s as long termers, and really rate them.

30th Aug 2009, 07:10

Having read the thread again, the comment "it will be a sad day when Kia/Hyundai passes the mainstream manufacturers" seems daft, as it was posted in response to the comment that Hyundai-Kia HAS NOW overtaken Ford to become the third largest car producer in the world.

That's ahead of quite a few mainstream manufacturers then. In fact, nearly every single one of them...

Cue lots of bile and opinions of Hyundia-Kia based on 90s models, not the current ones... can't wait...!

10th Nov 2009, 17:25

Becoming more mainstream now as many realise that the cars are a good alternative to mainstream models - not just a budget buy, bought solely on price - they are not that cheap!

If you look at the future models in the pipeline, the Cee'd is just the start - it is a very good car and the new Venga will help improve market share further.

Like with Skoda, over time the brand will gain more mainstream respect :- but Hyundai Kia are going for a more youthful stylish buyer with their new models.

It is no wonder their market share has improved so much - and will continue to do so...