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Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Honda Won't Like The Toyota Sienna's Price and Fuel Efficiency
Honda Won't Like The Toyota Sienna's Price and Fuel Efficiency originally appeared on Autoblog. The minivan segment is incredibly competitive There are only six tried-and-true minivans still on the market (seven, counting the VW which means the competition is fierce among the top contenders. Among them are the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey, both of which have a strong reputation for reliability among family haulers. When it comes down to price and efficiency, however, Toyota's offering pulls away from the pack. The Toyota Sienna is an affordable family hauler Starting at under $40,000, the Toyota Sienna is one of the most affordable family minivans on the market. Backed by Toyota's reputation for practicality and reliability, it's no surprise the Sienna still stands while many past competitors have fallen. The Honda Odyssey, one of the Sienna's most notable competitors, starts at just over $42,000. At the base level, both the Sienna and Odyssey offer fairly standard equipment for the segment. Power sliding side doors, LED lighting, and tri-zone automatic climate control make the list. As far as tech goes, both minivans include wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a myriad of safety systems. At the top of the range, the Sienna becomes more expensive than the Odyssey, with the Platinum trim starting at $56,445. The Odyssey Elite is over $5,000 cheaper, priced from $51,180. While the Sienna's top-spec trim is more expensive, it may be over the top for some consumers. In fact, one could argue that the Sienna Limited, available from $50,500, is a better match for the Odyssey Elite. At those kinds of prices, you'd expect luxury levels of comfort and convenience, and that's exactly what these minivans bring to the road. The Honda Odyssey Elite comes equipped with leather-trimmed, heated, and ventilated front seats, a hands-free power tailgate, and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. In terms of tech, the Elite comes stocked with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless phone charging, an 11-speaker premium audio system, and a 12.8-inch rear entertainment system. Comparatively, the Sienna Limited comes with climate-controlled, leather-trimmed front seats, a power tailgate, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. It matches the Odyssey Elite in tech, with wireless smartphone compatibility, wireless phone charging, and a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system. You'll have to opt for the Entertainment Package to get a rear entertainment system, though. The range-topping Toyota Sienna Platinum seems designed to be the ultimate family hauler when it comes to comfort and convenience. It comes stock with a built-in vacuum and fridge, heated steering wheel, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The top-spec model is also available with a 1500W inverter that powers two outlets and a rear entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display, remote, and two wireless headphones. The Toyota Sienna is the most efficient minivan Regardless of trim level, the Toyota Sienna comes stocked with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and an eCVT, producing 245 horsepower. When equipped with front-wheel drive, all Sienna trims are rated for an EPA-estimated 36 mpg across the board. Toyota's hybrid minivan is one of the few models in its class with optional all-wheel drive. When equipped with AWD, the Sienna sees its fuel economy drop to 34 mpg in the city, reducing combined fuel economy to 35 mpg. The Honda Odyssey comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful of the two Japanese minivans. Notably, however, the Odyssey is only available with a front-wheel drivetrain. Regardless of trim level, the 2025 Honda Odyssey earns up to an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Despite having less power and higher fuel economy, the Toyota Sienna matches the Honda Odyssey's 3,500 lbs. maximum towing capacity. When it comes to interior space, both minivans offer plenty of room for families and their cargo, but Honda's minivan is the clear winner, with up to 141 cu ft. of space. The Toyota Sienna's second-row seats aren't removable like some competitors, so it offers just 101 cu ft. of cargo space with both rear rows folded flat. Final thoughts When it comes to affordability and efficiency, the 2025 Toyota Sienna is the minivan of choice for budget-conscious drivers. The Sienna received an interior update for the 2025 model year, reinforcing its practical, yet comfortable design. The base model offers plenty of amenities that are standard for its segment, but the story changes with the higher trims. The Limited trim meets the needs of most consumers, and the Platinum trim offers the pinnacle of comfort and convenience. No matter the model, rest assured that the Toyota Sienna is a reliable family hauler for families from all walks of life. Honda Won't Like The Toyota Sienna's Price and Fuel Efficiency first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Are Kias Reliable? Here's Everything You Need To Know
Are Kias Reliable? Here's Everything You Need To Know originally appeared on Autoblog. Can Kia match Toyota in the reliability stakes? Kia recently posted record sales in the United States, emphasizing just how far the brand has come since the Sephia compact arrived here in the first half of the 1990s. Once known for little more than plasticky, high-value econoboxes, today's Kia's are true style leaders, boast the latest tech, and some are as quick as far more expensive sports cars. One would assume that the brand's success has something to do with a strong reputation for dependability, too, but are Kias actually reliable? And can the brand match Toyota in this aspect? We'll try to answer that here. Brand Reliability Vs. Model Reliability Many consumers like to paint a single brand and all its models with the same brush. Just because you were able to cover 250,000 trouble-free miles in a basic Civic doesn't mean that all Hondas are automatically as reliable, which is why it's important to distinguish between brand reliability and model reliability. Often, there is some correlation, but even the best manufacturers are guilty of producing a lemon every now and then. For this exercise, therefore, we'll hone in on specific Kia model issues while also taking a bird's eye view of the brand as a whole. We'll consult a range of reputable sources and customer complaints, as one source can often be at odds with another. Most of our information will also be based on Kia models from the 2022 model year and older, as it's impossible to make an accurate dependability assessment for vehicles that are still quite new and which have not racked up many Brand Reliability: Consistently Better Than Average We'll start by looking at Kia as a brand. According to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which assesses issues that owners of 2022 model year vehicles experienced over the first three years of ownership, Kia fares quite well. The study ranks automakers by the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100); the lower the number of problems, the higher that manufacturer ranks. Vehicle owners were surveyed about aspects such as the driving experience, infotainment systems, the seats, the powertrain, and anything else that could affect the ownership experience. Kia was ranked 11th out of 30 brands, with 196 PP100. This was marginally better than the study average of 202 PP100. With this score, Kia outperformed the likes of Honda and Subaru, while ranking far higher than its corporate rival, Hyundai (222 PP100). Rival brands like Mazda (161 PP100) and Toyota (162 PP100) performed better than Kia, but the Korean brand still put in a decent showing. We went back a few years to see how Kia performed: 2024 study: Ranked 8th with 187 PP100 (study average: 190 PP100) 2023 study: Ranked 3rd with 152 PP100 (study average: 186 PP100) 2022 study: Ranked 1st with 145 PP100 (study average: 192 PP100) 2021 study: Ranked 3rd with 97 PP100 (study average: 121 PP100) 2020 study: Ranked 14th with 132 PP100 (study average: 134 PP100) 2019 study: Ranked 10th with 126 PP100 (study average: 136 PP100) So, how reliable are Kias? Based on these results, we can see that while Kia's ranking has fluctuated, it has consistently been above-average in brand rankings for dependability. Consumer Reports ranks Kia ninth out of 22 brands for predicted reliability. Much like J.D. Power's results, Kia is above average but does not quite hit the consistently high ratings of Toyota. Examples Of Reliable Kia Models Below, we've looked at some of the most reliable Kias between the 2010 and 2020 model years. We've chosen this time span, as these vehicles have been around long enough for reliability data to accumulate, but they're also not so old whereby maintenance will become an issue. These models have a low number of recalls and complaints, and the complaints that were logged are also not severe or have been successfully resolved via a recall. This is by no means an exhaustive list of reliable Kias, but gives us an idea of specific models and years that have high ratings. 2020 Kia Sportage J.D. Power quality and reliability rating: 89/100 No. of complaints via Car Complaints: 12 A high quality and reliability rating and few complaints single out the 2020 Sportage, which is part of the crossover's fourth generation. This model was affected by two recalls for a fire risk, but these recalls affected many Sportage model years and once addressed, we see no issue with buying one of these. 2019 Kia Soul J.D. Power quality and reliability rating: 87/100 No. of complaints: 15 Kia's Soul is a simple, affordable crossover without a lot of technology that can fail. For the lowest-risk option, consider the base 1.6-liter model with no turbo and the manual gearbox. The only recall on record is from 2022 and relates to airbags, so as long as these have been checked, this should be a solid runabout. 2018 Kia Optima J.D. Power quality and reliability rating: 86/100 No. of complaints: 12 With few complaints and a high quality score, the now-defunct Optima sedan makes for a solid used buy. Over at Kelley Blue Book, it also has a commendable 4.3 out of 5 rating for reliability. KBB suggests you can pick up a used example for under $10k, which is great value for a spacious and comfortable sedan. 2016 Kia Forte J.D. Power quality and reliability score: 82/100 No. of complaints: 10 One minor recall for a trunk emergency release that could fail, few complaints, and a good quality score make the 2016 Forte a solid used bet. Consumers on KBB also rated it at 4.4 out of 5 for reliability, and a used example will cost you under $6,000. There's nothing remarkable about it, but the Forte is hard to beat for simple, honest motoring. The Most Problematic Kias According to Car Complaints, the following Kias have racked up the highest and/or most serious number of complaints by drivers: 2013 Kia Optima 2013/2014/2015/2016 Kia Sorento The 2016 Sorento, for example, is prone to complete engine failure for a rod bearing issue. The typical repair cost is extremely high, at $7,390, and the average mileage this occurs is at just over 94,000 miles. Major Kia Reliability Issues No automaker is perfect, and even Kia doesn't have an untarnished reliability record. These are some of the brand's most serious issues to watch out for. Theta II Engine Failure This four-cylinder engine family was introduced in 2009 and went on to power many Hyundai and Kia models. Equipped with gasoline direct injection (hence the GDI name), two versions were available: A 2.0-liter and a 2.4-liter, both with four cylinders. Once consumers began to put some miles on the Theta II engines, a range of very serious issues cropped up. In 2015, the NHTSA recalled 470,000 Sonatas with these engines, manufactured for the 2011 and 2012 model years. According to Hyundai, metal debris may have been left in the crankshaft's oil passages, forcing the debris into the connecting rod oiling passages amd restricting oil flow to the bearings. Ultimately, this leads to premature bearing wear, a knocking noise, and complete engine failure in some cases. On Car Complaints, there are 193 complaints for a seized engine on the 2011 Sonata, with a typical repair cost of $5,150. Later, the 2015 recall was expanded to include thousands of Optima, Sorento, Sportage and other models with the Theta engine. Lawsuits followed, and it's estimated that Hyundai and Kia spent over $2 billion in settlements and engine replacements related to this engine. In 2022, Hyundai and Kia announced a settlement for over 2 million affected vehicles, plus a replacement (if necessary) of vehicles still in the extended warranty period of 15 years/150,000 miles. Some Kia model years appear to be much more affected than others, so we recommend thoroughly researching your specific model if buying a used Kia with this engine. Other Kia Problems On RepairPal, the most complaints related to Kia are for the following issues. Fortunately, none are as serious as the Theta II engine troubles: Headlamps Malfunctioning door locks Difficulty starting due to malfunctioning anti-theft control module Faulty throttle position switch Transmission issues We have also noted a few cases of owners noticing paintwork issues on some older Kias, which can be prone to cracking, peeling, or fading. If Anything Goes Wrong, Kia Has A Brilliant Warranty Together with Hyundai, Kia has one of the best warranties for new cars. Its limited warranty runs for five years/60,000 miles, but the powertrain warranty is particularly good, stretching to 10 years of 100,000 miles; that's double the duration offered by Toyota or Honda. EV batteries are also covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Kia's long-term reliability reputation may not match Toyota's, but its warranty provides great peace of mind. Summary: So, Is Kia A Reliable Car Brand? Based on the available data, we'd say that yes, Kia can generally be regarded as a reliable car brand. It consistently ranks higher than the average for all car brands in terms of the number of customer issues, and many individual models score highly. Build quality of modern Kias has improved steadily, to the point where most of its models now feel quite premium. The Theta II engine scandal is a particularly serious blemish, though, so we'd advise you to find a used model without one of these engines, or to make sure that your particular model year isn't one of the riskier options. That said, even Toyota has had engine troubles; it had to recall certain Tundra and Lexus LX models for almost exactly the same issue as the Theta II engines, whereby machining debris could be left in the engine from the manufacturing process. While these issues are damaging to the brands' reputations, it would be unfair to suggest they don't make any reliable cars. If you buy a well-maintained used Kia, it has the potential to last for a long time before a serious issue occurs. FAQs Is Kia a good, reliable vehicle? Many Kias are reliable, but watch out for models equipped with the Theta II engine. Do Kia cars last long? Kias can last for well over 10 years if well-maintained, although the brand doesn't have the same reputation for longevity as Toyota. Where does Kia rank in reliability? Depending on the study or year, Kia often ranks above the industry average, and has even been as high as number 1 previously. Is Kia as reliable as Toyota? Kia ranks as better than average, but it does not consistently outrank Toyota for reliability. Is Kia or Honda better? In terms of reliability, both brands are above average, but Honda has a slightly stronger reputation in this area. Kia leads in some areas, though: Its cars are more boldly styled, generally pack in more tech, and its EV lineup is much broader than Honda's. Are Kias Reliable? Here's Everything You Need To Know first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
398-Mile VW ID.Buzz 1st Edition Sold At Huge Loss
398-Mile VW 1st Edition Sold At Huge Loss originally appeared on Autoblog. Trendy VW sheds 15% of its value in five months In case you didn't know, fully electric vehicles depreciate at a rate that's 30% faster than gas-powered cars. Vehicles like the Jaguar I-Pace, Tesla Model S, and Nissan Leaf are some of the worst performers. Based on a recent Bring A Trailer sale of a Volkswagen we may have to add VW's cheerful electric van to that list. A 2025 version of the just sold for almost $11,000 less than its sticker price. To make matters worse, it was a highly desirable 1st Edition model with barely any miles on the clock. New Buyer Lucks Out The new buyer of this 1st Edition spent $61,500 on the EV, way down from its original MSRP of $69,995. However, it actually cost the original owner $72,385, once you take into account the destination charge ($1,550) and some options. The extras were an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink ($405), a 2-in-1 mobile EV charging cable ($350), and an $85 charge for prepaid scheduled maintenance services. This fully loaded EV has covered only 398 miles, which means the original owner got almost zero use of it before taking the loss of nearly $11k. It's possible that the owner expected to make a healthy profit by snagging a rare 1st Edition model and selling it again quickly, but the outcome here is precisely the opposite. It doesn't help that the hasn't been nearly as successful as one might have expected, given the nostalgic ties to VW's bus. Its limited range, high base price, and a poor infotainment interface are just a few of the reasons it hasn't found more buyers, with only 564 examples finding homes in Q2 of this year. In February, VW was already offering big discounts on the What Does A $61k Van Get You? View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article This 1st Edition model has a great spec, starting with the Mahi Green and Candy White paint, which works well with the retro 1st Edition wheels. Inside, it has Dune leatherette upholstery, and if that's not enough to brighten up the cabin, there's also a fixed electrochromic glass roof. The side doors and tailgate feature hands-free operation, and the front seats have massaging and heating. This van also enjoys heated second-row seats, three-zone climate control, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, and a Harman Kardon sound system. Dual electric motors produce 335 horsepower combined, and that goes to all four wheels. As per the window sticker, the EV returns 87/74/80 MPGe city/highway/combined, but the total range is poor at just 231 miles. Even so, the new buyer has paid almost exactly the same for this 1st Edition as what you'll pay for a new base model including destination ($61,545).398-Mile VW 1st Edition Sold At Huge Loss first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
398-Mile VW ID.Buzz 1st Edition Sold At Huge Loss
398-Mile VW 1st Edition Sold At Huge Loss originally appeared on Autoblog. Trendy VW sheds 15% of its value in five months In case you didn't know, fully electric vehicles depreciate at a rate that's 30% faster than gas-powered cars. Vehicles like the Jaguar I-Pace, Tesla Model S, and Nissan Leaf are some of the worst performers. Based on a recent Bring A Trailer sale of a Volkswagen we may have to add VW's cheerful electric van to that list. A 2025 version of the just sold for almost $11,000 less than its sticker price. To make matters worse, it was a highly desirable 1st Edition model with barely any miles on the clock. New Buyer Lucks Out The new buyer of this 1st Edition spent $61,500 on the EV, way down from its original MSRP of $69,995. However, it actually cost the original owner $72,385, once you take into account the destination charge ($1,550) and some options. The extras were an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink ($405), a 2-in-1 mobile EV charging cable ($350), and an $85 charge for prepaid scheduled maintenance services. This fully loaded EV has covered only 398 miles, which means the original owner got almost zero use of it before taking the loss of nearly $11k. It's possible that the owner expected to make a healthy profit by snagging a rare 1st Edition model and selling it again quickly, but the outcome here is precisely the opposite. It doesn't help that the hasn't been nearly as successful as one might have expected, given the nostalgic ties to VW's bus. Its limited range, high base price, and a poor infotainment interface are just a few of the reasons it hasn't found more buyers, with only 564 examples finding homes in Q2 of this year. In February, VW was already offering big discounts on the What Does A $61k Van Get You? View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article This 1st Edition model has a great spec, starting with the Mahi Green and Candy White paint, which works well with the retro 1st Edition wheels. Inside, it has Dune leatherette upholstery, and if that's not enough to brighten up the cabin, there's also a fixed electrochromic glass roof. The side doors and tailgate feature hands-free operation, and the front seats have massaging and heating. This van also enjoys heated second-row seats, three-zone climate control, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, and a Harman Kardon sound system. Dual electric motors produce 335 horsepower combined, and that goes to all four wheels. As per the window sticker, the EV returns 87/74/80 MPGe city/highway/combined, but the total range is poor at just 231 miles. Even so, the new buyer has paid almost exactly the same for this 1st Edition as what you'll pay for a new base model including destination ($61,545).398-Mile VW 1st Edition Sold At Huge Loss first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Auto Blog
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Walmart Is Selling a ‘Fantastic' $90 Car Emergency Kit for Just $44, and Shoppers Say It ‘Has All the Essentials'
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Whether it's summer road trip season or winter slippery-road season, every driver should have a good car emergency kit stored in their vehicle. A quality roadside kit is equipped with a wide range of items to not only help get your car back on the road, but to ensure the safety and comfort of you and your passengers. To that end, consider the Nexpow Car Emergency Kit, on sale now at Walmart for 51% off, which drops the price from $90 to just $44. As reviewers say, the kit 'comes with everything you need at a reasonable price.' Nexpow Car Emergency Kit, $44 (was $90) at Walmart This 'great' kit 'has all the essentials.' Its 120 pieces include jumper cables, a camp shovel, a tool kit, a crank powered flashlight, tow straps, work gloves, tire repair tools, safety pins, fuses, and a whole lot more. The heavy duty jumper cables are 12 feet long and provide ample current to jump any vehicle. The tool kit spans all the key automotive tools, each of which is high quality and made to last. And the whole set is contained in a convenient package that is easy to stow in any trunk or beneath the seat. Shoppers say this 'fantastic' kit is 'compact and lightweight,' and has a 'very nice mix of items.' 'I was very impressed with this roadside kit,' said one reviewer. 'It comes with everything you could ever think you would need.' 'The case has a reflective strip which is an added safety feature I appreciate,' said another shopper. 'The mix of items in [the] bag are just brilliant. From the jumper cables and tool kit, to the tire repair kit, masks, and zip ties. It just seems to have so much that I would not think of. Very satisfied with this purchase.' Act fast, because the Nexpow Car Emergency Kit is only on sale for a limited time. Order yours today for $44, and ready yourself for the road. About the Author Nick Hilden View Profile
