Scotty, I'm interested in buying a 2019 Kia Sedona with the 8 speed auto trans, only has 20k miles. I'm looking to buy this van and What are your thoughts about their fairly (untested long term) new 8-spd transmission? So many vehicles are switching to the CVT, and I'm trying to avoid those transmissions like a plague. Thanks in advance
I'd pass on that one get a Toyota Sienna, which had an option of a 6 speed auto. Those are bulletproof. Hyundai Group (Kia is part of it) can barely make reliable 4 and 6 speed autos I don't trust them with an 8 speed. The issue with them is not really the transmission but rather the engines. Kia SUVs were actually decent for a while in the late 2000s where they had 4 speed autos, naturally aspirated engines, and were made in Korea. (Have experience with an 09 Sportage). The newer ones are made in USA Mexico Georgia etc. and are pretty poorly made their engines have a tendency to blow up and the horrendous resale value doesn't kick in until the miles hit 60 70k miles so you most likely would overpay. I'd just get a couple year old Sienna. It would last 3 4 times the Kia would. Sedonas also cost like 6-8k for 2015 model years so make sure to keep that in mind.
I am not a fan of any Kia or Korean cars they do not hold up over time you are much better off buying a Toyota or Honda product
Hyundais/Kias are generally not built as well as Toyota’s. If you plan to keep long term and rack up the miles well last 100,000 miles I would look elsewhere.
Hyundai/Kia has an awesome 6-speed automatic (classic, not CVT or robot-controlled one) transmissions that are super-reliable. Not sure about 8-speed one though.
