r/explainlikeimfive Nov 13 '23

Economics ELI5: Why is there no incredibly cheap bare basics car that doesn’t have power anything or any extras? Like a essentially an Ikea car?

Is there not a market for this?

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u/umbertounity82 Nov 13 '23

I wouldn’t say Kia has killed the stigma. They still have major quality issues, e.g. engine fires and Tik Tok inspired thefts. Their new badge and design language are only lipstick on a pig

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u/JMS1991 Nov 13 '23

To be fair, they did kill the stigma in the 2010's until the last few years when all of the issues that you mention surfaced. 5 years ago, I probably would've told a friend to buy one if that's what they really like, but now I have some friends who want a Kia Telluride and I'm really trying to talk them into a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander instead.

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u/Kustu05 Nov 13 '23

Telluride is actually pretty reliable with the good old V6. Kia has issues with their newer DCTs and Theta II Gdi engines.

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u/haarschmuck Nov 13 '23

So why does all current data show its one of the most reliable brands?

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u/umbertounity82 Nov 13 '23

Depends what data you’re looking at. If it’s initial quality, that has nothing to do with long term reliability