I quite like the idea of the Santa Fe / Sorrento but quite a few garage folk have warned me off them based on build quality. I was skeptical the first time (assumed it was just prejudice against a lesser know far east marque) but after about the third I figured there's probably something in it.

Unless they define the generation, they're being too general - Hyundai (and Kia since they became part of Hyundai-Kia) have moved on from being cheap and cheerful budget brands, through mainstream and into the premium sector - but of course their image lags a decade behind the cars.

"Garage folk" like cars that go wrong often, so they make money out of fixing them or selling custmers a new one.

I was thinking if I went for Kia Sorrento, I'd try to go after the 2012 facelift. Would that put me into the right generation for better quality?

The Kia Sorento facelift was the 2013 model year, quite a bit or re-engineering and other improvements.

>Unless they define the generation, they're being too general - Hyundai (and Kia since >they became part of Hyundai-Kia) have moved on from being cheap and cheerful >budget brands, through mainstream and into the premium sector - but of course their >image lags a decade behind the cars.

It would seam the prices have not laged, often more expensive than the alternatives now

My old XC90 was build like a tank and Hyundai/Kia don't build to the same standard. I often drove across fields at 50mph in comfort which is not something I want to be doing in many cars.

Hyundai/Kia prices go up each new generation, not surprising really - they now priced high enough that they're nothing like bargains any more. Having read horror stories about the XC90 4wd system failing un-noticed, until you're desperate for 4wd, it's honours even as the Santa Fe used the same system as one of the Porsches - and yes, I took my Santa Fe anywhere too.

The only reasons I didn't buy another one was because it's become more of a crossover than SUV - and I had money to burn!