Your questions answered: Should I buy a Korean car?

South Korean car-makers Hyundai and Kia have become powerhouse automotive brands and arguably now make better cars than the Japanese brands, thanks to an accelerated development program through the global financial crisis.

For evidence, look no further than the Hyundai IONIQ 5, the 2022 World Car of the Year and 2021 carsales Car of the Year, and the Kia Sorento, which we named our 2020 Car of the Year.

But some people are still not convinced about the strengths of cars from Korea.

Answer: It’s early and expensive to go fully electric, and the BZ4X – Toyota’s first EV – is still some way away, but a hybrid will give you worthwhile economy improvements around town. There are plenty available and the latest plug-in hybrids provide a decent fully-electric driving range, but you really need to do your own research on what suits your budget and needs. Most importantly, do no dismiss Kia and Hyundai because they make some great, award-winning vehicles and are very good value.

Answer: There will be a wait on all three, although slightly less for the Mazda. The CX-30 is the trendy choice but you will be best to go for the Kona, our 2021 Best Small SUV.

Answer: Genesis is doing some great cars and the only potential downside, and no-one knows the answer yet, is depreciation. If you need the space then the GV80 is a great large luxury SUV and has genuine Benz-style luxury – from design and comfort to quietness and final finishing.

Answer: The Ignis is not great. It’s good value, but in the same size and price range you should benchmark the Kia Stonic. A test drive will show you the difference between a class-leader and one back in the pack that sells mostly on price.

Answer: Don’t be tempted to just start the engine, as all the car’s systems need regular exercise so it should hit the road at least once a month. Make sure you run the air-conditioning and get everything thoroughly warmed including the brakes, and also check the tyres before you put it away.

Answer: All cruise controls will disconnect if the system cannot maintain the pre-set speed. Towing makes that harder to do, especially uphill, as the extra weight rapidly pulls it out of the range where it can compensate with extra throttle. On the flat, it’s easier for the cruise control to adjust to minor fluctuations.

Answer: Right now, the CX-5 is the clear favourite in your group. It has just been upgraded and was already better than the new Outlander. The new X-TRAIL is being totally renewed later this year and should be a lot better than before, but we won’t know until it’s available to drive.

Answer: If you’re happy with the Honda then it could be a good move, and the VTi-X is the pick of the updated CR-V range, but the Sportage is a better vehicle. Best to do a back-to-back comparison drive and check delivery times, as there are big delays at Kia and that could swing you to Honda.

Answer: There can be very slight variances in fuel, but the only way to accurately monitor fuel consumption is a series of proper fill-to-fill runs. Use the same pump at the same station, fill to the first click every time and look at the fuel use against the kilometres covered. Dashboard displays are notoriously inaccurate so do your own sums using the same method and you will know for sure.

Answer: Skoda is a major brand because it is part of the Volkswagen Group, so the engineering and parts supply comes through the VW system. The Superb is a wonderful car – roomy and relaxing to drive, with some lovely design quirks including an umbrella in the rear door. It is definitely recommended.

Find more of Your Questions Answered by carsales here

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au