Originally Posted by RPM
Whoa.
Who knew that me saying that my 4Runner has the 4.0 V6 would elicit such drama.
The Kia has more power - that does not impress me a great deal.
The Kia has roadside assistance - that's fine, I've never needed roadside assistance on my Hondas or Toyota.
The Kia may well be able to be driven for 10 years and 200k miles, but until they build up what I consider to be a solid reputation for durability and reliability, I'll stick with my other brands (being Honda and Toyota for my daily drivers).
And anyway, if you are such a 'JAP hater,' why are you boasting about a Kia? Perhaps you are only a 'JAP hater' and not a 'S. Korea hater.'
Hey, Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. Right, Wrong or Indifferent. My loyalties are my choosing, it doesn't mean Toyota makes a bad vehicle, I was just stating in context, an example of a competitive product that has less a reputable history that is better on paper. I wouldn't own either one personally. My point was that Toyota has rested on their laurels for too long and it's about to bite them. Basically the competition is getting MUCH better very quickly, while Toyota seems to be lying back and idling by without much attention to their surroundings. Toyota is on top right now, but I predict they won't be in the future. It has been statistically proven the Hyundai is on par with Toyota as far as reliability and customer satisfaction for 3 years now. What most people don't realize is that KIA is mostly owned by Hyundai, and almost all their vehicles are mechanically identical. Just like Dodge & Plymouth used to be. They brings up another point... If Kias are built in the same plants with the same parts by the same people it stands to reason that they are just as good as Hyundai, which is just as good as Toyota. Another note on the Sorrento, it was just named BEST IN CLASS by JD POWERS, and Consumer Digest for ALL midsized SUVs. It even beet out the Lexus RX350 and Mercedes ML350. Look it up if you don't believe me. The main difference is that Hyundai/Kia is constantly improving and trying VERY hard to prove the value and reliability of their vehicles, while it seems to the casual observer, that Toyota is mostly resting on their laurels and consumed by an aire of complacency. Aside from the Scion Line and a sprinkling of Lexus models, Toyota has nothing groundbreaking to offer. Nissan, Mazda, Honda and Mitsubishi all have a very dynamic and engaging line up. Toyota mostly doesn't. That's just the way I see it. Right, Wrong or Indifferent. Time will tell. Toyota needs to S*&T or get off the pot...