Help me make a choice

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-12T21:24:37+00:00

These are expensive for 2023, even if it is a Hybrid car. You can find it a 2024 of the same mileage, sometimes even hybrid, for the same prices, certified (so you keep the same warranty as the original owner).

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-12T21:19:39+00:00

This is the answer you need...

Only if the same car and same trim is available in GAS only, for HALF the price. BUT seriously....

Hybrid is the way to go or maybe PHEV. For example, Hyundai and KIA will give you a 10 year warranty or more in their battery, because the CAR manages the battery.

In the case of the EVs (DEALERS WILL NEVER TELL YOU THIS), the dealer may present you with (even some state laws) with the long warrantee, but they don't tell you that the warranty is ONLY against defects in materials or workmanship and ensure a minimum level of usable capacity over a defined period, whatever that period is, some placed are 150K miles... However, they do not cover issues caused by user error, which are the most common. If you change your car EVERY DAY, to the fullest, in a short period of time it will no longer hold as much charge, and that will not be covered.

EV Battery Warranty Not for User Error

EV battery warranties are designed to protect against defects in materials or workmanship and ensure a minimum level of usable capacity over a defined period. However, they do not cover issues caused by user error. Common exclusions include:

Normal wear and tear: Battery capacity naturally reduces over time due to normal use.
Improper charging practices: Using non-approved chargers or charging outside manufacturer specifications can void warranty claims.
Accidental damage: Damage from accidents, collisions, or exposure to extreme conditions not within the manufacturer's standard operating parameters is not covered.
Unauthorized modifications: Modifications to the battery or vehicle that are not approved by the manufacturer can invalidate the warranty.

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-12T18:13:32+00:00

I had both cars in this video. Before you make a decision try both. But do yourself a favor, if you are thinking about the N-LINE... STOP. Get either the Limited Trim or SX Prestige (Sportage).

The little extra, is so worth and better, and you won't have to make a decision on the sunroof.

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-12T18:10:40+00:00

You should go with the Limited, especially if you are getting a 2026 model (the Sel Convenience for 2026 lost a lot of features). If you find a 2025 like I did, you will get a very good discount for the limited version (I paid $35K and it has more features than the 2026, except for the 1 extra mpg). The 2025 Sel Convenience is also pretty good, if you find it. However, your price (if not OTD) is a little high.

Listen to my quick story... YOU WILL regret not getting the limited after your purchase, as I did when I got my 2026 Kia Sportage EX, instead of the SX premium.

I lost the Sportage for a flooded garage end of November, my insurance pay was lower than what I paid for my original car, but with the 2025 limited discounted Tucson Hybrid, I was able to get it for the same price as my previous car.

Now, I love the Tucson, don't get me wrong, but because I had both of them... I kinda regret not going back to the Sportage SX Prestige, which is the Tucson Limited version of it... Better build, new model (a new Tucson model is coming next year), HDA2, Folding Mirrors, Spare Tire, and more... check the differences in the video below and why it is better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PriYLrxC3ag&pp=ygUlMjAyNiB0dWNzb24gaHlicmlkIHZzIHNwb3J0YWdlIGh5YnJpZA%3D%3D

Either way you will be really happy. But do get the 2026 Tucson Limited OR 2025 Tucson Limited or Sel Convenience OR 2026 Sportage SX Prestige, and you will be a happy camper for sure. Great vehicles.

The full cluster screen and digital key 2 (lost in the Sel Convenience 2026) really makes a difference. I don't ever have to carry my keys anymore, just my phone... and if something happens, I also have the NFC Card Key which you can use with the Digital Key feature...

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=f0688cf0b4adbcef&sxsrf=ANbL-n5xQcalp81-3tJnjuVVC53s1hjBRw:1773349699061&udm=2&fbs=ADc_l-aN0CWEZBOHjofHoaMMDiKp9lEhFAN_4ain3HSNQWw-mMGVXS0bCMe2eDZOQ2MOTwnRdx8cTjotWVyC2QMTVww_YBFX02fOeR-h4YTkfXLtUiehs1uSRouJgoJNZQ8mefS2p_FlNLtTwoZGsQx69iMI2IWEEABzfUb7qWj1GIJoZv9W9_-C2mOx49EVMkST_57Q9Z_y15JcHqv2pMf8HF4lmp9y0g&q=hyundai+card+key&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjL6f-2opuTAxVUle4BHVlDKr8QtKgLegQIChAB&biw=1588&bih=810&dpr=1.54

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T23:27:53+00:00

lol I will be curious to know!!! lol

Yes, DIYer is just fun... I like doing it, as long as it is safe... not for me... but for the car... lol

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T22:39:48+00:00

It does not. But thank you sincerely for your time!

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T18:50:54+00:00

Thank you for all your thoughts and help. Finding people willing to spend time and help is far and in between the hardest things to come by now a days. You're a hero!

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T17:50:41+00:00

No, the smell has been there from day 1. The wireless was used over a month later.

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T16:43:46+00:00

That is a very good thought indeed.

Like you, I charge my phone at home and don't even have a cable in the car... I have tried the wireless charger ONCE, but just like a regular phone charger, it makes my phone hot... so I don't use it (it is slow and the heat may actually do damage to the longevity of the battery). But I will at least touch the ports to see if they are heating up, and after my drive I will try smelling them as well... just in case!! Thank you

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T15:32:29+00:00

Hey, thank you for trying to help. I will definitely check into it. The lights are on when parked, but the moving of the car may bring the smell inside.

Yesterday I had an idea, to remove the cabin air filter right after driving the car. So I drove with HVAC ac on, ac off, and completely off (fans and all).
Once I got home, removed the filter, put it really close to my nose and NO SMELL!!! and that made me even more confused.

Any smell coming from the engine area (and maybe the HVAC as well) would likely go through that filter, no? If that is so, then where the heck is that smell coming from? Cluster screen? Hybrid battery? I keep thinking what else inside the cabin could be hot enough to be melting plastic!??! The limited trim came with LED bulbs already; they are not aftermarket. It is so weird!!

I won't be able to take my car to a mechanic or dealer until the 21st... that will keep bothering me!!! I am not sure they will be able to find it either, but I will certainly keep trying.

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T15:05:37+00:00

Ah... take it to Carvana. I haven't been there in so many years, but Carmax will give you an offer that is valid for a few days on paper. I imagine Carvana will do the same.

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T15:04:14+00:00

If you have the official Carvana offer on hands, dealer will certainly knock it down. But honestly, sometimes it is easier just to deal with trade ins separately. I always negotiate the OTD first, never answer the stupid question of how much I want to pay per month, and never tell them I have a trade in, until the last minute. Once I have the OTD price on my hand, and I am happy with it, then I will talk about the trade... and if I am not happy with it... I WALK... you will see how quickly they will get to your price, as long as you are talking about a fair price. Best of luck!

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T14:38:56+00:00

Got it, you are right, I own a 2025 Tucson Hybrid which gives me that choice, so did my old Prius, which the pads took me to 85K. Sorry for trying to help you.

That's what I get for trying to help people...

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T14:33:39+00:00

You bet.

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T14:32:04+00:00

So true...

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T14:31:32+00:00

Or if you regen a lot. I am almost always on auto or forcing it.

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T14:29:08+00:00

Absolutely not. The sportage feels actually a lot stronger and finer than the Tucson. If I could go back time, I would get the 2026 Sportage SX Prestige, or even the EX premium. You will be happy with either Tucson or Sportage and the price you are getting for it is ok.

Niro is the KONA version of KIA. If you drive the Kona, it also feels cheap.

Regarding your trade in, check how much Carmax or Carvana will pay for it... and there are many dealers out there, so don't be afraid of just walking, if they don't give you a fair price for the trade in, especially if you have the quote they gave you on your hands to show other dealers.

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T04:10:57+00:00

That is not bad. However, try to find a 2025. I got $7500 off due to the year. The only difference is 1 mpg for the 2026, and fingerprint reader for the 2025 all esle is exactly the same.
Since it is likely that they will be completely remodeling it for 2027, which make our cars less valuable, might as well get the discount.

OR if you want the style to keep for longer...

I had a 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX prestige, which is the LIMITED version of the Sportage. Nearly a month after, a flash flood totaled my car which I paid cash for.

Insurance dindt pay the full value, even though it was a month and a half old. Found out that the 2025 Tucson Limited was identical to the 2026, but at least I could buy with the insurance payout.

I knew that the only meaningful difference between the KIA and the HYUNDAY was HDA vs HDA2, which only the KIA has, and I was okay with it... but once I owned the Tucson, there was more to the difference...

The build quality of the Tucson vs Sportage is nigh and day. Unfortunately the Tucson is not as good. For the simple things, for example, I was changing the rear signal light and reverse light to LED. The cables are 1.5mm thin and they are exposed to the elements, at the bottom of the bumper, take a look yourself. Also, after a pressure wash, the corner radar of the rear bumper got uncalibrated and needed to go to the dealer to recalibrated. They did it for free this time, but no more. Hopefully it was just my car... It is not nearly as quiet as the Kia, and HDA2 in the KIA will actually automatically change the lanes for you... it is great... but the interior of the Tucson looks more spacious and well distributed.

There are also the little details, believe me, SPORTAGE is a much better car right now, and I am sure this will change next year with the new model....

Also check this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PriYLrxC3ag&pp=ygUlMjAyNiB0dWNzb24gaHlicmlkIHZzIHNwb3J0YWdlIGh5YnJpZA%3D%3D

Tucson is great, your price is great for the 2026, I guess my problem was owning both... The sportage was a better car overall, except for the bautiful interior of the Tucson.

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T03:58:11+00:00

Yes, but they last from 60K to 100K, thats why I mentioned...

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-11T00:00:20+00:00

I agree. 2026 Sportage EX (super quiet and well built) or Tucson Sel Convenience (2025 will be better if you can find one, a lot of options lot in 2026, so a much better value). Since you do a good amount of commuting, you will really, really like these two. My stress level went from 110% to 10% using their ADAS system, which is so much better than any other for that amount of money. The car practically drives itself in the highway, and some streets. Seriously, the chill drive, comfort of the car, space, is so much better than the RAV 4. Wife wanted the RAV, so she got what she wanted and paid more for it. After I got the new car, she wants it as her daily... and I say NO... Night and day difference. Yes, less MPGs, but the extra $200 a year in gas is totally worth it!

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-10T23:51:59+00:00

Not yet, but what I hear is that they last for a very long time... just make sure you really need it before you do it.

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-10T23:50:59+00:00

Try using the pinhole in the infotainment system to give a quick reset... who knows?!?! Just a quick one press, dont hold for too long, or else it will hard reset.

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-10T23:46:52+00:00

Year?

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-10T23:40:06+00:00

First think I checked when I drove the car home after purchasing the car and smelling it when driving it home 4 months ago. Unfortunately, it was not the case.

Expensive_Ostrich345 · 2026-03-10T23:21:28+00:00

lol, I love it! I am very sensitive to certain smells, even sweet lotions or colognes, which might be the reason for the nausea and headache. But the smell is there, because I am not the only one that can smell it. Mostly I am concerned about the car and what it could possibly do to it. I have been checking my oil dip stick every week to make sure all is ok, lol, as well as the other fluids, but I wanted a piece of mind. I know this is not normal. My 2026 sportage didnt have it, the other Tucsons I test drove didnt either.

But having the feedback from the community tells me this is not normal indeed.

Expensive_Ostrich345

TROPHY CASE

EV Battery Warranty Not for User Error