Is It Worth Spending $44k on a Compact SUV?

BuddhaBoy on 29/01/2021 - 19:09
Last edited 29/01/2021 - 19:15 by 1 other user

Hi Guys,

Wife is looking at sub compact SUV. Prefers a high seating ride and all the bells and whistles. She currently rides a Toyota hatch that is around 11 years old and it’s time to upgrade.

Have narrowed it down to the new (facelift) Kona Highlander and Kia Seltos. I checked the prices and both are around $44k! Kona will be available in a week or two but I think Seltos may have months waiting period from what I have read.

Are these care even worth that kind of money?

What do you reckon?

Car should have -

All safety features including blind spot monitoring
Heated seating
Front and rear sensor
Reversing camera

Automotive Car SUV

Comments

    • Dogsrule on 01/02/2021 - 09:24
      +4

      She may not be aware that much better cars are available for around the same price though. One drive in a RAV4 Hybrid and I reckon she'll turf the idea of an underpowered glorified hatchback on stilts.

      • dirtybigbjelke on 01/02/2021 - 09:32
        -3

        Toyota's have dogshit interiors and infotainment systems. Plus you look like a public servant.

        • Dogsrule on 01/02/2021 - 09:56
          +1

          Oh please, as if this looks any better than this. They are all mass produced Asian cars, interior quality is going to be similar, the difference between the two is the RAV4 has real space and a real drivetrain, with far superior fuel economy and 24 years/15 million examples of proven hybrid reliability behind it. The infotainment is middle of the class, not bad, not great. With Android Auto and Apple Carplay functionality, who cares about the infotainment software anyway, just plug in your phone and away you go. As for your 'public servant' comment, you do realise that the gov buys plenty of Hyundai fleet cars too? Hell, the police drive BMW 5 Series these days, so I think you're a bit off the mark there.

  • Christoshizz on 01/02/2021 - 09:36

    None of the vehicles mentioned here have a high riding position.

    you could get a base model Pajero sport (less refined but really high position) for mid 40's

  • s1Lence on 01/02/2021 - 10:31
    +4

    heated seats in australia? unless you live in the snowy mountains that seems unnecessary, this isnt europe or something lol

    • amanda89 on 01/02/2021 - 10:38

      maybe youre from qld, it is like europe in vic

      • s1Lence on 01/02/2021 - 10:50
        +4

        lived in vic for 20 years and have also been to europe, cant even compare the coldness of europe to victoria

        • netjock on 01/02/2021 - 13:45
          +1

          In Victoria you just need heated seats for your house because it is built like car board. In winter the car is warmer without heated seats.

  • OhNoUShiz on 01/02/2021 - 10:46
    +4

    I recommend Honda CRV. It should be around your budget or lesser with most of the features you are after. i think it is 5 years warranty and road side assistance. If CRV is too big then go for HRV.

    I have the CRV with 7 years warranty and road side assistance.

  • kokita on 01/02/2021 - 13:02

    I would recommend VW Tiguan. High tech = easier and safer to drive.
    From my point of view, driving is a high risk activity. I would invest myself to have a nice car but not too luxury (>$60k).

  • cydia9k on 01/02/2021 - 13:38

    Well you did well for landing on the Seltos - couldn't recommend mine more.

    The GT Line however is far overpriced for what you get. I paid $34k driveaway for a Sport w/ Safety (all the features I cared about) with tinting and ceramic + towbar. ($26k for the car alone before road costs.)

    26 vs 42, no chance those features are worth 16k.

    Sport+ is the popular pick for reasonable balance of value and features, however IMHO Sport w/ Safety is the OzBargain pick.

    • drilly on 02/02/2021 - 00:02
      +1

      Glad to hear someone from OzB confirm my choice. Although I will be paying $32K for a sports w/ Safety and no other options.. it seems like I can't really get much of a discount from this?

      • cydia9k on 02/02/2021 - 00:14
        +1

        Unfortunately there is zero wiggle room on the base car cost due to demand - that is unless you get lucky with a demo or let them talk you into an unpopular colour/trim that they want to move.

        What they can definitely move on is the extras.

        • Pick two interior extras you really want, and you can guarantee they will throw them in. Three is pushing it but doable, they will likely half the cost
        • Towbar is 2k RRP, they did it for 1k.
        • 12 month rego
        • Full tank of petrol
        • 3 year warranty extension to 10 years
  • aurotaro on 01/02/2021 - 13:50

    No mate, Kia Sportage and Hyundai's should be able to do the job around 30-35k mark with 7 year warranty on the former attached.

    I got the 2019 Kia Sportage for $29,500 brand new. The options with Heated seating, blind spot monitoring was $34k.

    My model had all the other features (cameras, sensors etc.)

  • pogichinoy on 01/02/2021 - 16:01

    No. But if you must, go a mid size crossover like a Honda CRV.

  • GourmetFoodie on 01/02/2021 - 16:41
    +1

    Wow. Many better options at that price point. Has she driven the RAV4? There’s a reason there are wait lists! It’s not that big either. If compact is the main issue I’d just go with a cheap hatchback. A compact SUV sounds pointless.

  • Top G on 01/02/2021 - 16:49
    +1

    Subaru outback or forester is in the low 40ks. Worth the premium over Korean options tbh

  • hongas on 01/02/2021 - 17:24

    between two choice? KIa Seltos for sure. 7 yr warranty and all.

    but then again I drive 2018 Subaru Forrester 2.5i-L bought brand new for $39k. back in 2018. - no complaint at all.

  • Shiny Mew on 01/02/2021 - 19:27
    +5

    Gross. Divorce her and get a wagon instead.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/02/2021 - 11:03
      +2

      Wagon gang rise up!

  • funnysht on 01/02/2021 - 20:25
    -1

    get a mitisubishi asx theyre around 25k

  • EnALup on 01/02/2021 - 23:48

    You can getr Mazda CX-5 GT Turbo Petrol for that price. Premium with Japanese reliability.
    Comes with front Heated seats and cool air seats along with lot of safety features.

  • BobLim on 02/02/2021 - 01:37

    IMO no SUV is worth the extra money over an equivalent wagon or hatch (maybe sedan depending on the model). The issue I find is that generally the manufacturers refuse to spec equivalent features to push you up a few $k into the SUV, and most people happily obey.

    • Morven on 02/02/2021 - 12:37

      I think the Subaru XV is the exception. Sure, it's a jacked-up Impreza, but they've also added X-Mode which uses the AWD to simulate something similar to low-range 4WD and combined with 22cm ground clearance this gives the XV some off-road cred. I owned one for three years until recently, and it was bloody great. I drove it places I couldn't have gone with the standard Impreza. I think you're absolutely right about the other small SUVs though - many of them are just 2WD which means they're being sold on body shape alone and have no advantages over the hatch equivalent.

      • BobLim on 02/02/2021 - 14:18

        There's a few anomalies around.

        One example I found was at Mazda where the CX had 40:20:40 split rear seats (good for skis and other long loads while maintaining seating capacity), while the 3 or 6 (can't remember which - probably both though) only had 60:40 even in the top spec.

        Edit: And BMW where you can get X3 and X5 in a range of engines and drivetrains, but you're stuck with a 4cyl auto for a wagon (despite those options being available elsewhere, even NZ)

  • scbrother on 02/02/2021 - 08:47
    +1

    I just bought a used 2018 Mazda 3 SP25 Astina. Has every safety and luxury feature I could think of. Sunroom and leather. Only $25k and it had done 35,000kms. It would be as zippy and as spacious as those other cars.

    I came from having a compact SUV and saw no benefit in the ride position.

  • magic8ballgag on 02/02/2021 - 13:35

    Only you and/or your financial advisor can answer this question, you'll only receive heavily biased opinions here.

  • peacenik on 02/02/2021 - 17:29

    Had a look at the toyota CHR? similar pricing. compact suv. looks ok. personally, I really want an EV. pricing & charging stations not quite there yet :(.

  • Stinge Master on 03/02/2021 - 08:51

    Check out the Mazda cx3, got the Maxx sport auto model with some factory extras a couple years back for around 26k brand new. I'm not a fan of the cvt transmission in a lot of the newer suvs like the Toyota CHR, but Mazda is sticking to traditional auto gearboxes which I prefer.

  • biozet on 03/02/2021 - 12:06
    -1

    you should dump your wife for being a materialistic clone who follows fickle fashion trends

  • bigbadaboom on 03/02/2021 - 13:35

    surely there's a middle-ground between that and a 11 year old hatch?

    There are slightly used Japanese SUVs (for the sake of reliability, long term) for a lot less that would offer the same features that you are seeking. Look up Honda/Toyota/Nissan. Plus, the worst of the depreciation would be behind them.

  • Jackkkkkk on 03/02/2021 - 14:34

    Someone here could probably give you 44,000 reasons why it's not worth it

  • Trioboy on 03/02/2021 - 15:19

    Not sure if I'd be paying that much for a compact SUV. But hey, it's your money and YOLO.

  • axlfan on 03/02/2021 - 16:22

    This is OzBargain. No.

  • megaalc on 03/02/2021 - 17:05

    +1 for a second-hand Sportage Gt-line :)

  • Fractual node on 03/02/2021 - 17:44

    I too am in the market for an SUV around that price, currently eying up the Peugeot 3008, has great reviews and the only cons seem to be slightly higher priced servicing & resale market…

    • nubzy on 03/02/2021 - 18:20
      +1

      Good choice, the 3008 is easily best in class. If you're buying a new car then surely you plan to keep it for longer than a few years, so resale shouldn't really matter. Anyway, they are very popular and resale has been good from what i've seen. The prices have gone up from a few years ago but that seems to have happened with all brands. Definitely take one for a drive and you will fall in love with it. I love my Peugeot and will keep buying them, nothing else comes close to what they offer. Servicing is only a little more than others but its every 12 months/15,000km which is great.

  • Specificagent1 on 03/02/2021 - 19:56
    -1

    get an mg suv, 22k

  • R4 on 03/02/2021 - 22:56

    No

  • bazingaa on 04/02/2021 - 00:12

    No

  • RubenM on 04/02/2021 - 08:03

    I hate soft-roaders!
    Every suburban mum seems to have one.

    • Euphemistic on 04/02/2021 - 09:33
      +1

      Largely because wagons are practical and the marketing department decided we all want adventure. As a result we can only buy a wagon with a lift kit.

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