hyundai kona vs. hyundai tucson

[cookiedough]

anyone have a newer kona or 2019 tucson?

wife wants to get rid of our bigger 7 passenger V6 SUV and get something smaller now that the kids are gone to college.  test drove both today and the tucson is only 2K more but get more:

2.4L tucson engine made in korea vs. 2.0L kona made in CHINA (not a fan of Chinese made engines right in the kona?)

18 inch wheels tucson vs. 17 inch wheels in kona
rear USB ports and rear air ducts vs. none in kona
much more interior room for 5 adults vs. only 4 cramped in the kona especially rear seat legroom
power drivers seat vs. none in the kona same SEL trim level we want

gas mpg not a big deal only 1-2 mpg difference either way

believe it or not the 2.0L kona engine was zippy and powerful and quiet as well as the 2.4L tucson engine but NO power drivers seat in kona which I need being bigger but is wife''s SUV and she was fine in the Kona drivers seat   Am guessing since kona much lighter with 20 less hp than tucson compensates for being just as quick and quiet driving?

I would prefer spending 2K more get tucson over kona for all you get more.  Also test drove a honda hrv is actually really roomy inside more so than the hyundai kona especially in the rear seats but is 2K more even than the hyundai tucson which is a very good deal right now 4250 in rebates being 2K more than on the kona right now.  I did not like the honda CVT tranny and wimpier 1.8L engine in the honda hrv was too loud and even much less power and LOUDER than the 2.0L hyundai kona engine by far. 

and for those who say Hyundai/Kia made in Korea (mainly) is no good quality I beg to differ own 2 of them no real major issues on either in total of 150K miles on both together and 5/60K bumper to bumper warranty and 10/100K engine/tranny warranty is hard to beat that for price paid.  I would have never bought a hyundai/kia say prior to 2011, but since then,  their quality and refinement has gone up considerably IMO on par with toyota and honda.

[Bighead]

Korea/China much difference? They have the same warranty. Go with what you liked best on your test drive.

[cookiedough]

Korea/China much difference? They have the same warranty. Go with what you liked best on your test drive.

actually in my opinion based upon buying both, Korean made items are better quality (less junky) than made in China items.    Agree, warranty though is the same.  Just wondering if anyone bought a Kona (or tucson) newer one 2018 on up recently and thoughts?

The Kona wife likes is smaller, but I preferred the tucson being bigger and only 2K price difference, if that, mostly due to higher rebates on tucson while the kona is a HOT seller right now have to get 2020 model no more 2019's for awhile now being sold out for months.

[Rams]

Following Mom's advice and not saying anything if I've got nothing good to say.

Rams

[Dave Ritsema]

Following Mom's advice and not saying anything if I've got nothing good to say.

Rams

 

[3W-lonerider]

bought the wife a 2019 santa fe, in march.
she test drove the tucson and the santa fe. she liked both. kona was a bit to small in my opinion, like the rest said buy what suites you but keep in mind theres more room behind the rear passenger seat for groceries and other stuff compared to the kona.
but i don't think i would trust a chinese engine to far. Hyundai has proven themselves over the last few years. can't go wrong with a 10 year warrantee. american cars can't give a 10 year warrentee  because they know the'll be falling apart in 5 years.

[Leathel]

Tuscan is heavier so stronger? safer in a crash?

 I repair crashed vehicles and some are pretty weak, whats there crash ratings

[sandy]

My preference would be for a Mazda CX5. Optional all wheel drive.

[Bighead]

Mazda owned by Ford. At least it is an American company.

[mrtlc]

  At least buy something that is made in America. Take care of your own first. I don't see much help coming from either of those countries to help America. Think about it at least.

[cookiedough]

Tuscan is heavier so stronger? safer in a crash?

 I repair crashed vehicles and some are pretty weak, whats there crash ratings

both kona and tucson have 5 star crash ratings so good with Tucson only weighing about 400lbs. heavier is all.  We no longer need a 7 passenger SUV we have now since kids now gone off to college.

agree as well kona rear seat legroom is barely adequate at best and 2-3 inches skinnier they rate it at 5 passengers but unless 100lbs. and skinny, no one in the middle backseat will fit no way 3 full sized adults over 150lbs.   

for only 2k more tucson is better value I think ONLY thing do not get in SEL trim which should be included is leather wrapped steering wheel and fog lamps, both which the Kona SEL has which is dumb.   Yet get power drivers seat in tucson SEL but NOT in the Kona SEL, also dumb. 

[Bighead]

Buy what you want. Period.
Also who gives a poop if The steering wheel is wrapped in leather.
Not trying to be a hardass  but when I buy a new car I could care less what anyone else thinks of my choice. BUY WHAT YOU WANT AND CAN AFFORD. No one elses opinion matters.

[cookiedough]

Buy what you want. Period.
Also who gives a poop if The steering wheel is wrapped in leather.
Not trying to be a hardass  but when I buy a new car I could care less what anyone else thinks of my choice. BUY WHAT YOU WANT AND CAN AFFORD. No one elses opinion matters.

agree but was wondering if anyone had a kona or tucson - opinions and all...

I was suspecting no one on here had a kona since only out 2 years now and no proven history.  Dealer low balled me on trade in so might end up keeping both other vehicles and try selling 1 of the 2 outright since sales tax savings on trade in is nowhere close to helping on what dealer lowballed me on trade in, might as well keep them and sell outright is best bet. 

I guess dealers make very little on new car sales, but wanting to make 3-4K profit on reselling used cars must be in now?  what is wrong with 1-2K profit vs. them wanting 3-4K profit on selling my used vehicle if trading it in?  I guess most others do not do maintenance on their vehicles and dealers got burnt sticking 2-4K into them thus the low ball offer?

[3W-lonerider]

not all dealers do that. the dealer we went threw with the wifes new car gave us 2 grand more than blue book value on her trade in. we were quite satisfied.

[cookiedough]

not all dealers do that. the dealer we went threw with the wifes new car gave us 2 grand more than blue book value on her trade in. we were quite satisfied.

that is awesome, have not seen that ever around my area is always 2-3 grand lower than it should be.  I did though once near 10 years ago drive into suburbs of Illinios about 2 hours away outside of WI to get 2 grand more in on a trade in vs. the southern WI dealers who think they are the only dealers around who have vehicles to sell?  Who knows, is only beginning of the month and am sure will have to do what my ex neighbor did is get 3-4 price quotes on the vehicle I want from different dealers and work them against each other to get the best deal.  I also yesterday heard of from 2 people that they went to Carmax to get trade in value and was pleasantly surprised with a quote for 3 grand more than the other dealers who had what they wanted.  They took that Carmax quote on trade in to both those selling dealers on the car they wanted and got the much, much higher Carmax trade in quote honored so that is a route to go as well. 

[f6john]

Don’t try that in Kentucky! No credit on sales tax. Buy a new car today and pay sales tax, change your mind tomorrow and trade for something else, you get to pay the full sales tax on the new vehicle price. I haven’t trade in a vehicle since 1988.

[3W-lonerider]

At least buy something that is made in America. Take care of your own first. I don't see much help coming from either of those countries to help America. Think about it at least.

you do realize how hypocritical that sounded. i don't see any bikes in your lineup that included indian, victory or harley.
just like the valkyrie which was built in ohio and the goldwings, the hyundai is built in Alabama.
iv'e owned losts of chevy's fords and mopars. when fiat bought chrysler that ended me buying anything on that line.
owned way too many chevy's and got tired of constantly having to put money in them to keep them on the road.
as far as fords go, lets say their engines have alot to be desired. from spark plugs blowing out of heads to the engine in the flex that if the water pump goes bad and you don't notice it soon enough it takes the engine out because the water pump is internal.
then you have nissan which i will never own another because of that cvt, transmission. it ain't if it decides to puke its when.
jeeps are now using cvt. i'll get off my soapbox now and put my flame suit on.

[mrtlc]

No flame from me. Sometime you do what's best for you at the time. As you say I have bought foreign made products before, and still buy more than I wish I had to. As I get older my desire to help others in my Country grows stronger. The way our country was going before Trump, I thought we were going to loose all of our manufacturing. Things are looking up and I try to do my part by buying US made if I can. Still a long way from 100% for me. Sorry if encouraging someone to buy (American made) a fended you .

[3W-lonerider]

Didn't affend me in the least. And i see where your coming from. But you started sounding like the guy that pulls up beside you at a red light in a toyota and tells you why didn't you buy a harley.

[bscrive]

I have a 2017 Tucson and I love the freakin thing.  I have the 2.0L engine in it, but it is a commuter vehicle and it has enough power for me.  I also got the 6 year bumper to bumper warranty on it, so if anything goes while I am paying for it, then it is covered.  We also got free oil changes for as long as we own it. 
In the two years that I have had it, we haven't had any issues with it at all.  We did consider trading it for the Kona, but after thinking on it we decided that the Tucson was a much better deal with more options and more room.

[Earl43P]

Mazda owned by Ford. At least it is an American company.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda
From 1974 to 2015, Mazda had a partnership with the Ford Motor Company, which acquired a 24.5% stake in 1979, upped to a 33.4% ownership of Mazda in May 1995.[15] Under the administration of Alan Mulally, Ford gradually divested its stake in Mazda from 2008 to 2015, with Ford holding 2.1% of Mazda stock as of 2014[16] and severing most production as well as development ties.

[3fan4life]

The first part of this year I found myself in need of a new vehicle.

I wanted AWD and under $20k.

 
I took a very hard look at the Tuscon and the Kona.

I even rented a Tuscon for a 2 day out of town trip.

I liked the Tuscon but couldn't get above 26mpg.

The Kona was much more fun to drive and I liked the looks of it better.


Kona's were in short supply at the first of the year and I felt like it was just a tad too small to suit my needs.


The dealership sells Hyundai, Nissan, Subaru and VW.

I compared everything and came down to a choice between a VW Golf Sportwagen and a VW Tiguan.

I chose the Golf because it was almost as much fun to drive as a Valkyrie is to ride.

The wife liked the Tiguan better, but it is ultimately my daily driver.


If you are considering a Tuscon don't buy until you've at least looked at a Tiguan.

You might be surprised. 

[Kidd]

With all the full size trucks in my area and  other even larger trucks  for construction  , we are moving up from a Chevy Trax  to another Lexus gx 460 for my wife .

Many times I have seen what a truck does to a small car in a wreck , head on collusion ,gruesome death to the person in small car , a bruise  or two to the truck driver .

Used Lexus Gx 460  priced around   $25K  to $30K
Didn't want y'all to think I am buying new 

[cookiedough]

probably going with the tucson.   got pricing and might be a done deal later this week.  Is what the wife wants and happy wife, happy life right??????????   

problem I have is the sport has 19 inch wheels and read reviews that the lower profile and 1 inch wider 19 inch wheels/rims offer a harsher ride than the SEL trim levels 18 inch tires which ride better which makes sense less contact patch and wider/taller sidewalls of rubber on 18 inch tires (not low profile) plus  less rolling resistance and lighter rims/tires on 18 inch which is plenty big enough.  She wants the other options though the sport has over SEL which to me is fine. 

If anyone has a COSTCO membership and wants to buy a vehicle,  find a dealership who is affiliated with the Costco Auto Program just got pricing today and is around 1 grand UNDER on this vehicle BELOW even dealer cost.  Dealer must be getting a kickback from Costco on sales since no way can a dealer sell a vehicle below their cost PLUS dealer holdback money of around 700 bucks or so.

[cookiedough]

well, back to the drawing board on dealerships.  WASTED today both wife and myself taking day off work driving 2+ hours south into IL suburbs of Chicago (right there was a mistake going in IL) when price seemed too good to be true.  It was and then some.  Dealer rep assured me on Wednesday after putting 500 down vehicle was on lot.  Left 730 a.m. got there 10 a.m.  vehicle promised wanted to pick up was NOWHERE to be found they had NO clue even after confirming on Wednesday over phone it was there.   Not one other on lot identical or near identical either and never bothered calling me stating over phone MUST be there and no hidden fees built in.  2nd issue, they never informed me even when asked lady mgr. over phone on Wednesday for any hidden fees besides tax,title,license on invoice sticker.  WRONG,  they had 995 in B.S. will never use pinstripping, door edge guards both worth piddly, wheel locks, rubber floormats already comes with cloth mats, and free car washes/oil changes for 3 years of which will NEVER use being 2 1/2 hours away.  1K for ZERO value to me unable to waive at all.   We went to lunch after a few test rides and asked dealer to search for near identical optioned one in our color choice being super pissed came back NOW 1 p.m. and we decided to just WALK getting our 500 refunded to NEVER come back EVER after sales mgr said will be another 1 hour then yet to go get it and then prep and do paperwork NO THANKS outta fricking IL Friday night after dark NO thanks another 3+ hours home.  PLus, sales mgr. even wanted to charge me again 995 even on dealer traded vehicle in for same B.S. pinstripping, etc. they said they add to vehicle which does NOT have it on and do not want to begin with.  UNREAL!   I asked why have to add 1K of B.S. I will not use to one that is NOT on their lot and said is their policy so was my policy to walk soon after.  All in all wasted literally both of us a day of vacation and 8 hours of driving and F'ing around at stealership.      I yelled a few choice words at the sales mgr. with the misses telling me to calm down after cussing him out LOUDLY!  NO cops were called and no fists were flung, just barely though.  

I was ready to walk ASAP when dealer did not have the vehicle on the lot and had no clue where it was.  Then to find out 995 B.S. add on rip off artist crapola of no value just another money maker to stealership on all their selling vehicles even ones traded in not on it already is total B.S.  I asked why add 995 to one coming in from another dealership and he said policy and I said my policy then to NOT pay a dime on it and do not add it period.  sales mgr. disagreed so we walked before I lost it with the Ahole after went to cashier to refund 500 on credit card. 

I guess IL stealers suburbs of Chicago think everyone must be gullable and ignorant? 

[Jack B]

Seams like you've got bad luck buying vehicles.
What happened to the Costco deal?

[cookiedough]

Seams like you've got bad luck buying vehicles.
What happened to the Costco deal?

No bad luck,  just from that one IL dealer who added 1K in useless options not telling me upfront and 3 days prior to going down after putting 500 down on that vehicle over the phone to hold it for me, they supposedly had on their lot,  was nowhere to be found when there wasting 4 hours total of driving time and 1 day vacation off work (me and wife) and another 4 hours at stealership dinking around before I gave up and got my 500 back and walked out.

I went to Milwaukee area dealer today same exact vehicle I found myself and saved 500 more off the Costco auto program pricing much to my surprise.  Costco auto program is no dicker pricing but found 2 dealerships in Milwaukee and Fon du Lac willing to beat easily the Costco rate.  Done deal, easy straight fact figures as it should be.  We would have been outta there total in 1 hour if it was not for being super busy having ONLY 1 F&I guy there waiting 1 more hour just to see him for 20 minutes signing papers.

Lucky I ONLY do this once every 4-6 years, well usually..   I do the homework online searching dealership inventories of what we want and then start calling them up asking for best off msrp pricing.

I still cannot believe that pile of doo-doo IL dealer NEVER called me BEFORE driving down over 2 hours near Chicago when they NEVER had the vehicle ready for delivery as promised.  What a bunch of a-holes!    Going to send a very shitty email to GM and customer relations mgr. and report them to the Costo Auto program rep to see if I can get them stripped of their authority to give Costco pricing not being disclosed upfront to their customers with 995 bogus charges they install on EVERY car on their lot to make 900 bucks profit.  Get this,  while there, young sales guy dealing with apparently are having issues loosing new car keys and auditors were there and he (they) could not find that key had to take off while talking to me THE CUSTOMER in order to find that key which was never found he said.  PLus,  their inventory was not entered right the 2 other red SUV's both had black interior as online window sticker online showed we were looking at and was in their computer since Costco dealer rep told me one as beige interior but both red ones were really black interior.  Someone or several are goofballs in their office and sales staff both.