Help Me Pick the Model

[RedStarTX]

I've been reading and researching and trying to make heads or tails out of what the best trim+package would be and am no closer to the answer. I would really appreciate your help in guiding me to the answer. I know I don't want the LX or the S. I think the EX or SX would be the better choices for my needs but this is where I need your assistance. If I missed a discussion on this, my apologies. I'm new to the Kia world and transitioning out of a 2015 Toyota Sienna. I don't want to pay for Toyota anymore. I don't like that they've not stayed competitive on design and are becoming more and more overpriced.

1. I live in Houston, TX, so a ventilated 2nd row, flexible on bench or chairs, is definitely appealing but I could live without it if everything else aligned better with a different trim. My daughter would disagree.
2. I live in Houston so nothing black outside but also don't want black or super dark inside. I would love a light/light combo but not a light silver because it blends too much into dawn/dusk lighting in our flat horizons.
3. 110v would be fantastic as we're a high tech family.
4. 2nd sunroof has great appeal to our daughter but I really don't care.
5. Tow package.
6. Don't need AWD and don't want the extra gas expense.
7. I'm short so the more driver seat adjustments, the better.
8. Should I wait until 2021 trims come out?

Secondary question, how do you handle dealer service with Kia? Honda doesn't keep service records across the line, only local to the dealer location. Major PITA. Toyota keeps the records centralized but service "warm and fuzzy" drops a tiny bit when I buy from one dealer but go to another for service. Anyone have insight? I'm a middle-aged white woman and I definitely get dismissed when I bring a vehicle in for an issue that I know is there. I have Westside Kia 10 minutes from home but they are useless. Don't know their stock, don't even know what color+trim they have on the lot when I've spoken with them on the phone. Totally not interested in giving them my buying money.

Thanks, everyone!

 

[SVoigt]

I've been reading and researching and trying to make heads or tails out of what the best trim+package would be and am no closer to the answer. I would really appreciate your help in guiding me to the answer. I know I don't want the LX or the S. I think the EX or SX would be the better choices for my needs but this is where I need your assistance. If I missed a discussion on this, my apologies. I'm new to the Kia world and transitioning out of a 2015 Toyota Sienna. I don't want to pay for Toyota anymore. I don't like that they've not stayed competitive on design and are becoming more and more overpriced.

1. I live in Houston, TX, so a ventilated 2nd row, flexible on bench or chairs, is definitely appealing but I could live without it if everything else aligned better with a different trim. My daughter would disagree.
2. I live in Houston so nothing black outside but also don't want black or super dark inside. I would love a light/light combo but not a light silver because it blends too much into dawn/dusk lighting in our flat horizons.
3. 110v would be fantastic as we're a high tech family.
4. 2nd sunroof has great appeal to our daughter but I really don't care.
5. Tow package.
6. Don't need AWD and don't want the extra gas expense.
7. I'm short so the more driver seat adjustments, the better.
8. Should I wait until 2021 trims come out?

Secondary question, how do you handle dealer service with Kia? Honda doesn't keep service records across the line, only local to the dealer location. Major PITA. Toyota keeps the records centralized but service "warm and fuzzy" drops a tiny bit when I buy from one dealer but go to another for service. Anyone have insight? I'm a middle-aged white woman and I definitely get dismissed when I bring a vehicle in for an issue that I know is there. I have Westside Kia 10 minutes from home but they are useless. Don't know their stock, don't even know what color+trim they have on the lot when I've spoken with them on the phone. Totally not interested in giving them my buying money.

Thanks, everyone!

Hi RedStar

Exterior color is of course a preference thing, I chose Sangria (cause my wife loves the color, I am good with it and am tired of white.) Interior I chose Gray, being a Texan, I agree with not wanting DARK. I chose the EX over the SX as I wasn't willing to pay for the extras that I don't need. Would they be nice to have? Yes, but for that price? Not so much, again a personal preference. I don't care so much about the ventilated seats in the second row, never had them before and I find that the AC works just fine, especially if you can get the car started before hand to start the cooling process. Most items that we bring into the car just need a USB port to charge, lots of those, don't really need a 110 outlet unless you are going to plug other things in for a day out, not really needed. You also have to be careful with vehicle 110 outlets. Most of them aren't very highly amp rated so you have to know what kind of an amp draw it pulls and what your appliance is pulling so as to not over tax it.

Check on the good and bad dealer portions of the forum to check out dealers, also look at the spread sheet to show who are the high volume dealers, they will generally get what you want in sooner than a low volume dealer. I expect that you have seen that ordering is about the only way of getting what you want for MSRP. There are some dealers who are getting the lower trims in over and above customer orders, I know my dealer just received four lower trims in that were sitting on the lot about five days ago (probably gone now.).

Good luck with your hunt. Build the exact vehicle that you want, bring that to the dealer and tell them you want this at MSRP, don't let them talk you into something you don't want. Chances are good that you will be able to get it put on order and if it isn't an SX with premium, you may find that you will not have to wait as long to get it.

regards

Scott in North Texas

 

[MarcinTexas]

I've been reading and researching and trying to make heads or tails out of what the best trim+package would be and am no closer to the answer. I would really appreciate your help in guiding me to the answer. I know I don't want the LX or the S. I think the EX or SX would be the better choices for my needs but this is where I need your assistance. If I missed a discussion on this, my apologies. I'm new to the Kia world and transitioning out of a 2015 Toyota Sienna. I don't want to pay for Toyota anymore. I don't like that they've not stayed competitive on design and are becoming more and more overpriced.

1. I live in Houston, TX, so a ventilated 2nd row, flexible on bench or chairs, is definitely appealing but I could live without it if everything else aligned better with a different trim. My daughter would disagree.
2. I live in Houston so nothing black outside but also don't want black or super dark inside. I would love a light/light combo but not a light silver because it blends too much into dawn/dusk lighting in our flat horizons.
3. 110v would be fantastic as we're a high tech family.
4. 2nd sunroof has great appeal to our daughter but I really don't care.
5. Tow package.
6. Don't need AWD and don't want the extra gas expense.
7. I'm short so the more driver seat adjustments, the better.
8. Should I wait until 2021 trims come out?

Secondary question, how do you handle dealer service with Kia? Honda doesn't keep service records across the line, only local to the dealer location. Major PITA. Toyota keeps the records centralized but service "warm and fuzzy" drops a tiny bit when I buy from one dealer but go to another for service. Anyone have insight? I'm a middle-aged white woman and I definitely get dismissed when I bring a vehicle in for an issue that I know is there. I have Westside Kia 10 minutes from home but they are useless. Don't know their stock, don't even know what color+trim they have on the lot when I've spoken with them on the phone. Totally not interested in giving them my buying money.

Thanks, everyone!

First off...getting a 2021...if you order one today - you are more than likely looking at a 2021 - so that decision might be made for you unless you find something unsold headed to a dealership.

 

[alexdrums]

I've been reading and researching and trying to make heads or tails out of what the best trim+package would be and am no closer to the answer. I would really appreciate your help in guiding me to the answer. I know I don't want the LX or the S. I think the EX or SX would be the better choices for my needs but this is where I need your assistance. If I missed a discussion on this, my apologies. I'm new to the Kia world and transitioning out of a 2015 Toyota Sienna. I don't want to pay for Toyota anymore. I don't like that they've not stayed competitive on design and are becoming more and more overpriced.

1. I live in Houston, TX, so a ventilated 2nd row, flexible on bench or chairs, is definitely appealing but I could live without it if everything else aligned better with a different trim. My daughter would disagree.
2. I live in Houston so nothing black outside but also don't want black or super dark inside. I would love a light/light combo but not a light silver because it blends too much into dawn/dusk lighting in our flat horizons.
3. 110v would be fantastic as we're a high tech family.
4. 2nd sunroof has great appeal to our daughter but I really don't care.
5. Tow package.
6. Don't need AWD and don't want the extra gas expense.
7. I'm short so the more driver seat adjustments, the better.
8. Should I wait until 2021 trims come out?

Secondary question, how do you handle dealer service with Kia? Honda doesn't keep service records across the line, only local to the dealer location. Major PITA. Toyota keeps the records centralized but service "warm and fuzzy" drops a tiny bit when I buy from one dealer but go to another for service. Anyone have insight? I'm a middle-aged white woman and I definitely get dismissed when I bring a vehicle in for an issue that I know is there. I have Westside Kia 10 minutes from home but they are useless. Don't know their stock, don't even know what color+trim they have on the lot when I've spoken with them on the phone. Totally not interested in giving them my buying money.

Thanks, everyone!

I think a FWD SX would work and save you $4,000 plus. Keep the rear sunshade closed and you won’t need the ventilated second row. Pick up a 110V Inverter at Walmart for 10 bucks. And I am certain YOU can choose the right interior/exterior colors!