Hyundai Santa Fe / Kia Sorento 2024

[GTO-1]

On 5/24/2024 at 12:07 AM, thebestbees said:

@GTO-1 VES banding B for Santa Fe could be due to its huge rims at 20 inch. Yes it’s a much practical car, in with u that the sorento definitely looks better, and it has a proper “ panoramic “ sunroof. The Santa Fe’s sunroof just feels weird because it’s not 1 whole piece and it’s broken up into 2 section. Even IF sorento gets into VES A2 it will only be with a $5k rebate. Should still expect the Santa Fe to be around $10k more expensive than a facelift model. C&C should be happy that komoco is pricing the Santa Fe at 260k and 280k, now they have a healthy margin to “ plan “ ahead for the incoming sorento. 

Need to check the pricing of the Santa Fe when OMV is released to see what the seller margin is.  Using Australia as a benchmark, the pricing of the Santa Fe has increased by 10k over there.  So it's expected that the pricing of the Santa Fe would increase once you factor in ARF. 

Depending on spec, I don't think the Sorento is going to be significantly cheaper.  The last time the COE was $100k (July 2022), C&C were positioning the Sorento Hybrid at $240k.  Now consider that the facelift version has gone up in price in markets like AU by about $5k.  The end result is a price for SG should be around $260k.  It then comes down to the specification they want to bring in.  If they want to compete with Komoco's Santa Fe, then the OMV will be higher, which will bring it into the 260k to 280k range.  If they decide to skimp on features, they could capture the $240k to $260k range.  I think they will do the former, because in their current line-up, Kia has a ridiculously priced $400k EV9.  Then they have the EV6 @ the $240k to $260k range.  While the Sorento is a hybrid, it means there's a big gap between $260k to $400k range.  I think they'll position the Sorento into this range and make it similar spec to the Santa Fe.  

Add to that, Komoco and C&C want to compete with the BMW X3, Merc GLC etc in Singapore, because that's where the money is.  With the COE very high, BNB cars aren't lucrative anymore, because more affluent buyers are the only ones to afford cars right now.  Hence why BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus continue to sell well.  On the spec sheet, the Santa Fe beats out those cars comprehensively.  Even if you compare to the Mazda Cx60, the Santa Fe is marginally cheaper, but on paper is a far better car (engine, tech, features).

In the end, we will see.  

 

On 5/24/2024 at 7:39 AM, Fellows said:

Recently bought KIA NIRO don’t come with KIA Connect Lite as the sales told us that there is issue with it so new KIA don’t come with it for now until issues is resolved, when exactly they don’t know.

Too bad. Always sounds good on paper, but it's also another thing that can break.  Probably the same with all the new tech on cars.  

[thebestbees]

@GTO-1 for c&c they have the carnival around 300k, was told when it launches in Q3/Q4 it will be $200k without COE. Of course it’s an MPV, but at least they have something between the 260k to the ridiculous EV9 at 400k( nice car and all, but not so much for the pricing ).  Anyways looking forward to the release of sorento 🤣

[Fellows]

On 5/24/2024 at 8:20 AM, GTO-1 said:

Need to check the pricing of the Santa Fe when OMV is released to see what the seller margin is.  Using Australia as a benchmark, the pricing of the Santa Fe has increased by 10k over there.  So it's expected that the pricing of the Santa Fe would increase once you factor in ARF. 

Depending on spec, I don't think the Sorento is going to be significantly cheaper.  The last time the COE was $100k (July 2022), C&C were positioning the Sorento Hybrid at $240k.  Now consider that the facelift version has gone up in price in markets like AU by about $5k.  The end result is a price for SG should be around $260k.  It then comes down to the specification they want to bring in.  If they want to compete with Komoco's Santa Fe, then the OMV will be higher, which will bring it into the 260k to 280k range.  If they decide to skimp on features, they could capture the $240k to $260k range.  I think they will do the former, because in their current line-up, Kia has a ridiculously priced $400k EV9.  Then they have the EV6 @ the $240k to $260k range.  While the Sorento is a hybrid, it means there's a big gap between $260k to $400k range.  I think they'll position the Sorento into this range and make it similar spec to the Santa Fe.  

Add to that, Komoco and C&C want to compete with the BMW X3, Merc GLC etc in Singapore, because that's where the money is.  With the COE very high, BNB cars aren't lucrative anymore, because more affluent buyers are the only ones to afford cars right now.  Hence why BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus continue to sell well.  On the spec sheet, the Santa Fe beats out those cars comprehensively.  Even if you compare to the Mazda Cx60, the Santa Fe is marginally cheaper, but on paper is a far better car (engine, tech, features).

In the end, we will see.  

 

Too bad. Always sounds good on paper, but it's also another thing that can break.  Probably the same with all the new tech on cars.  

Car remote connectivity app is very common in USA and Europe but not well developed in SEA market. Still very primitive.

I did asked SE whether can install the KIA connect lite app since is free for first two years for new car owners but he advice not to install and also cannot be install as of March 2024 sadly. 

He told me previously installed owners from Sonet and Seltos feedback issues and quite troublesome if got issue next time as the car need to be send in to remove the 4G module to be check. Not stable enough he said and it’s not the full suite as compare to USA/EU as ours is lite edition and after 2 years there will be additional subscription fee.

If after 2 years don’t want, the car need to be send in for removal of the add on module from the car and updated the car specification in their system as theirs is not like Telsa, BMW or Mercedes which is built in, can disable via system setting if don’t want to subscribe. KIA version is add on cellular module which is more troublesome. 

Edited May 24, 2024 by Fellows

[GTO-1]

On 5/24/2024 at 8:34 AM, thebestbees said:

@GTO-1 for c&c they have the carnival around 300k, was told when it launches in Q3/Q4 it will be $200k without COE. Of course it’s an MPV, but at least they have something between the 260k to the ridiculous EV9 at 400k( nice car and all, but not so much for the pricing ).  Anyways looking forward to the release of sorento 🤣

Thanks.  The salesperson did mention that the carnival is due to arrive around June.  But since I have no interest in an MPV, I didn't ask about the price.  Either way, it's all speculation when it comes down to it.  At the start of the year, C&C were saying Q2 2024 for the Sorento, and Komoco were saying Q1 2025 for the Santa Fe. But here we are.

[GTO-1]

On 5/24/2024 at 9:46 AM, Fellows said:

Car remote connectivity app is very common in USA and Europe but not well developed in SEA market. Still very primitive.

I did asked SE whether can install the KIA connect lite app since is free for first two years for new car owners but he advice not to install and also cannot be install as of March 2024 sadly. 

He told me previously installed owners from Sonet and Seltos feedback issues and quite troublesome if got issue next time as the car need to be send in to remove the 4G module to be check. Not stable enough he said and it’s not the full suite as compare to USA/EU as ours is lite edition and after 2 years there will be additional subscription fee.

If after 2 years don’t want, the car need to be send in for removal of the add on module from the car and updated the car specification in their system as theirs is not like Telsa, BMW or Mercedes which is built in, can disable via system setting if don’t want to subscribe. KIA version is add on cellular module which is more troublesome. 

Good to know.  Thanks.

In my mind I was dreaming that I can remotely turn on the aircon in a hot day before I get into the car.  Oh well.  

[Fellows]

On 5/24/2024 at 10:24 AM, GTO-1 said:

Good to know.  Thanks.

In my mind I was dreaming that I can remotely turn on the aircon in a hot day before I get into the car.  Oh well.  

Just open the sun roof and all 4 windows to let it cool down for 5mins. If have turn on ventilated seats and good to go. Now in NIRO SX, then I know the advantage of having ventilated front seats, really good in our weather. I am sure upcoming Santa Fe sure have this feature on higher trim, the sleeker shift by wire rotation gear selector and 2 large full 10.25” digital display. Too good to miss out. 

People ask me why not go for mid trim NIRO EX Comfort at $164000 to save money and not waste $17000 to top up to highest trim SX, once you have all the features and tech add in cannot go back liao. 

Especially for conti cars: ventilated seats, adaptive cruise control, rear airbags, full suite active safety, digital large instrument cluster, all need to top up way more than $17000. 

This car need to be around for the next 6-8 years definitely i don’t want to miss out all the technology and safety features. 

Edited May 24, 2024 by Fellows

[thebestbees]

@GTO-1 oh man, would be such a dream for us especially with the high humidity here.. 

[thebestbees]

@Fellows never worry about what other says, it’s your own money. Just enjoy ! No point getting a car which you feel “ damn should have gotten the other car/ trim “ every day when you are driving. Yes ventilated seats are such good features that are lacking in many b&b cars. The Santa Fe base model has the ventilated seats, but lacks quite a few other stuffs like 360 camera, blind spot camera, sunroof and a few other stuffs. But good enough I suppose.. 

[Fellows]

On 5/24/2024 at 11:26 AM, thebestbees said:

@Fellows never worry about what other says, it’s your own money. Just enjoy ! No point getting a car which you feel “ damn should have gotten the other car/ trim “ every day when you are driving. Yes ventilated seats are such good features that are lacking in many b&b cars. The Santa Fe base model has the ventilated seats, but lacks quite a few other stuffs like 360 camera, blind spot camera, sunroof and a few other stuffs. But good enough I suppose.. 

Should have blind spot warning better than nothing. Of course blind spot monitoring will be plus, some kia and hyundai have it, when signal it will show the live camera feed into your instrument cluster, either left or right. 

[thebestbees]

@Fellows yes only basic blind spot warning on the lower trim 

[duckky25]

2024 Santa Fe Hybrid is my dream car. Hais wish can buy it but so ex

[Kiroskyz]

@duckky25yup, price a bit too high to swallow, the ITP price just went up cause of the COE increase too. 

[thebestbees]

@duckky25 it’s ok, wait for it to be released in Malaysia and can own it there for 1/3 the price 🤣, I have thought of that too to own my dream car in Malaysia..

[Kiroskyz]

@thebestbeesgood idea. But if you don't live there, you don't get to enjoy it. End up you're driving it less than 1/3 of the time as in Singapore. 😔

[Fellows]

On 5/25/2024 at 7:49 AM, Kiroskyz said:

@thebestbeesgood idea. But if you don't live there, you don't get to enjoy it. End up you're driving it less than 1/3 of the time as in Singapore. 😔

Save up and retiring in Malaysia with MM2H scheme. Live in landed with your dream car at 1/3 of the price. Cross one bridge everything on cost of living drop.

Too bad, blame on Raffles found Singapore not together with JB that plot of land, if we have JB + Singapore total land size, things will be so much difference today. 😂

Edited May 25, 2024 by Fellows

[GTO-1]

On 5/24/2024 at 11:18 PM, Kiroskyz said:

@duckky25yup, price a bit too high to swallow, the ITP price just went up cause of the COE increase too. 

Checked with the salesperson and price went up by $1k due to last CoE bidding.  When I put in my deposit, the salesperson promised that I would benefit from any price decrease, while being protected from any price increases due to CoE bidding. 

Let's see how truthful that is.  Worst case, price goes down and they don't honour that agreement, I just get my refundable deposit back. I can wait.

 

[Kiroskyz]

Wonder if they'll further give the trade-in, insurance rebate. 

[GTO-1]

On 5/25/2024 at 6:11 PM, Kiroskyz said:

Wonder if they'll further give the trade-in, insurance rebate. 

Salesperson said that Komoco doesn't follow the other AD's by giving rebates on trade-in's, insurance or finance.  Basically the figure provided is the figure you pay whether it be cash or finance.  They have recommendations, but you don't gain rebates from them.  

To be honest, I'm okay with that.  I prefer to choose my own insurance company and I don't want to be penalised for it.  I'm not a huge fan of rebates from AD'S, since it forces me into a "relationship" with a company I don't know, just to get the best deal.  

When it comes to negotiation, I'll see if they'll do overtrade.