KIA NO LONGER GOOD VALUE
I have been a satisfied Kia user for four years and I have looked forward to the launch of the new Kia Sportage. On launch day, I shuffled into my nearest Kia dealer to inspect the new offering. The improvements were more cosmetic and the plastic feel is still very good. But then I heard the price, a whopping R90 000 (18,8%) over the outgoing model. I was dumbstruck. Suddenly, the Kia is priced R90k over the equivalent Hyundai (the company that rescued Kia from bankruptcy); it is even priced above excellent rivals like the Ford Kuga, VW Tiguan, Toyota RAV4 and many others.
I do not know what the Imperial Group executives were smoking when they set the Sportage pricing, as it is only in South Africa where this massive jump in pricing is observed.
It is clear that the Sportage is reserved only for mindless individuals who can afford the massive depreciation of their asset value. Kia has lost its value-for-money proposition. CHALKIE VORSTER Honeydew
[Christo Valentyn, public relations and product marketing manager for Kia Motors South Africa, responds. “We always welcome feedback from customers, as this gives us valuable insights into how they perceive our brand, our products and the manner in which they are marketed.
Mr Vorster’s perceived price increase of 18,8% is misleading, as you must compare like for like. There has, for example, been a 0% increase in pricing between the outgoing Sportage Ignite and the new Ignite. Similarly, the new Sportage CRDI EX is only 8,9% more expensive than the equivalent outgoing model (R487 995 versus R447 995), while the Sportage CRDI SX AWD is only 9,8% more expensive than the outgoing equivalent model (R567 995 against R516 995). These increases are not excessive considering that the new Sportage range also features much higher specification levels, many new features, a five-year/unlimited km warranty and is, most importantly, a significantly improved vehicle over the outgoing range.
As most Kia owners and drivers will attest, the real ‘Power to Surprise’ lies in the experience; driving the Sportage is where the real love affair starts. Despite being a ‘(very) satisfied’ Kia user for four years, Mr Vorster did not get to experience the real improvement of the all-new Sportage because he declined a test drive. We would like to rectify that and put our proverbial money where our mouth is by offering Mr Vorster the opportunity to test drive the all-new Sportage of his choice, not just around the block, but for a full 30 days. Kia Motors South Africa will cover insurance as well as fuel during this period.”