POLL New company car. Help choosing.

[Zephyr]

Ok, not Z but I do not have any other social presence other than this forum so I have to ask here.
i can choose between a Suzuki Vitrara mild hybrid (129 ps) and a Kia Stonic mild hybrid (100 ps)
both manual and similarly specd (screen, bt, camera, alloys and leather).
personally I hate them both, the Suzuki looks outdated and the Kia feels quite weak.
bit I have to pick one and keep it for three years….
what say you?

 

[Ianmc]

Can you not have a car allowance instead, and thereby purchase your own car?

 

[Zephyr]

Can you not have a car allowance instead, and thereby purchase your own car?

its a much lesser amount. (actually equals what they would pay for three years leasing) Used that option the last time, instead of a Skoda SuV i took the money and bought an Opel Corsa diesel that seemed more reasonable. (We have a Range Rover as a family tourer).
I regret every single day… had to pay myself for a gazillion issues this car had and resale value is a joke.
if I go this way and it breaks, its on me to fix and never want to go this route again. (I do about 60.000 km per year, sometimes in very rough roads, goes with the job - telecoms engineer).

 

[Z Victor 1]

Kia, you usually get a lot of what some call extras. Although I don't know anything about the Suzuki.

 

[Stevo7682]

Both wouldn't be my first choice either but like you say these are the options
I would go Kia your less likely to break it compared to suzuki who make great motorcycles unfortunately their cars are not quite as classy.
Stephen.

 

[t-tony]

Based on my experiences on working on both makes, never owned either one, I would go with the Kia.

Tony.

 

[Jam03]

Resign

 

[petecossie]

I've no experience of either car, but from what I've read in magazines Kia cars seems to pretty good value for money and reliable. Added to the comments on here so far I'd say it looks like the Kia is the one to go for, I think it looks better aswell.

 

[Toby]

Not an ideal choice - I'd go Kia too - comes with a 7 year warranty, which means they stand behind their build quality.

 

[andyglym]

Driven a few Kia hire cars, good cars tbf, certainly get the job done

 

[Bloo Toon Davie]

Go for the Stonic Kia has the better garantee,my one Is now 3 years old never been in garage ,just servicing required.thinking of having it Lanoguarded Ihad my Z3 done about a year ago looks good.

 

[Paul Rice]

i will buck the trend and say Suzuki, much rarer and as its a company car warranty etc doesn't come in to it.

 

[Eddie-S]

Both samey samey, I'd go with whichever costs you the lesser in tax!

 

[D R Oldfield]

Suzuki every time for me had a few,very reliable and used them for work for many years in the 4 wheel drive form and claim mileage, at the moment i am running a sx4 scross all grip uses the same mechanical platform as the vitara though mine a diesel good fun to drive and quick and fun in sports mode as it becomes rear wheel drive

 

[Zephyr]

Suzuki every time for me had a few,very reliable and used them for work for many years in the 4 wheel drive form and claim mileage, at the moment i am running a sx4 scross all grip uses the same mechanical platform as the vitara though mine a diesel good fun to drive and quick and fun in sports mode as it becomes rear wheel drive

This is very interesting to hear.
How does the interior hold up after the years?
The kia seems a bit on the cheap side. Has leather seats but thats it.
the vitara has leather and alcantara on the doors and roof liner. But plastics seem to be rock hard and I am afraid that they may squeak after some hard miles under the blazing sun we have over here.

 

[D R Oldfield]

This is very interesting to hear.
How does the interior hold up after the years?
The kia seems a bit on the cheap side. Has leather seats but thats it.
the vitara has leather and alcantara on the doors and roof liner. But plastics seem to be rock hard and I am afraid that they may squeak after some hard miles under the blazing sun we have over here.

absolutely no problem i work in the water industry so it goes every onto sand on the beaches across fields it never has a problem and with the allgrip option you can lock the diffs, the interior stands up fine i have waterproof seat covers on , its done 95000 miles and the interior is perfect but i live and work in south cumbria the lake district so dont get alot of hot weather ! i beleve they are built in India and are very popular over there the interior does seem a bit plastic but mine has been very hard wearing and 100% reliable and it does get abused

 

[Bazza]

Change your job

 

[Zephyr]

absolutely no problem i work in the water industry so it goes every onto sand on the beaches across fields it never has a problem and with the allgrip option you can lock the diffs, the interior stands up fine i have waterproof seat covers on , its done 95000 miles and the interior is perfect but i live and work in south cumbria the lake district so dont get alot of hot weather ! i beleve they are built in India and are very popular over there the interior does seem a bit plastic but mine has been very hard wearing and 100% reliable and it does get abused

thanks. what you say is solid advice. now I am 60/40 into this Suzuki / Kia dilemma.
cheers

 

[Zephyr]

Had a chat with a guy who drives a Stonic.
he was honest and pretty straightforward.
said that consumption is nowhere near what Kia claims (5ltr/100 km) and is constantly 3ltr above in city traffic and that their hybrid is a joke. It just switches off the engine when the vehicle is coasting and starts again when you step on the accelerator.
also not satisfied with the multimedia, said constantly loses connection and maps freeze.

 

[D R Oldfield]

when i bought my S cross in 2019 it was one of the last diesel version averages 60 mpg on country lanes around town etc , went touring Scotland last year and it was averaging 68 mpg , Suzuki have asked me if i was interested in part exchanging it for a mild hybrid version but they only appear to average about 47 mpg