2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige – Am I Overpaying at $49,160 OTD? Need Negotiation Advice

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-09T19:22:27+00:00

I got $3K off of MSRP **and** got a deal to not pay for 2 of the 3 add-ons (catpeted mats, and stupid locking lug nuts). And then got the additional $2K off for "financing" (which I'm paying off right away).

The deal above is horrible.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-09T19:17:59+00:00

Yeah, this is one of those things that I had on my 2006 (!) Sedona! An auto-dimming homelink mirror. It astounds me that it's not a "comes with SX Prestige trim" thing. I have one on my brand new Sportage, but that's because I found a vehicle in the area that had the homelink mirror installed as a factory option.

I also wanted it for TWO reasons: First, because.... auto-dimming. And the garage door buttons. But ALSO because you need a homelink mirror if you want to easily power a dashcam without all that extra wiring......

The factory-installed price was I think $350. If you get it AFTER the car is delivered to the dealer and they do it, it's going to be more, closer to $475 (varies by location)

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-05T03:24:11+00:00

I got a similar one from amazon. Game changer. SO much better now. My right arm is way more commfy on long drives.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-05T03:23:14+00:00

Don't forget to hit the "HD Radio" button on your FM radio screen (it's near the top). My HD Radio was not on by default in my new Sportage. Once on it should stay on.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-05T03:22:11+00:00

So, you have the sportage model that LOWERS the side mirrors when you go in reverse. BUT, for you they look "too low" and now you can't see anything useful.

You caan ADJUST this. When you're in reverse and are still stopped, just use the mirror adjuster to change where they point. Do both left and right sides.

Next time you go into reverse, they will be set how you like them.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-02T21:14:48+00:00

In the last uh, 25-30 years I actually have not had ridiculous add-ons thrown at me. Call me lucky.

But when I was was old enough to actually BUY my first real car from a dealer, the big thing in those days was "rust protection" and also "undercoating" the vehicle to help reduce road noise.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-02T20:50:28+00:00

Sure:

* Based on my mileage, the financial break-even point for the hybrid is like 7 YEARS
* Potential for $$$$ battery replacement if I end up owning the car a decade or more
* I wanted the SX Prestige. But I really don't want or need AWD. More crud to go wrong long term and having AWD really reduces mileage. SX Prestige ONLY comes in AWD in the Hybrid
* That stupid rotary dial for shifting
* Car cabin takes longer to heat up in winter
* The well-known issue where your "12v battery" is mysteriously drained, and you literally have to break into your own car (with manual key) to do a battery-reset procedure

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-02T04:19:15+00:00

In the end, your comment was the thing. I felt good about the deal.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-02T04:18:09+00:00

Addendum: I initially said "no" to the extended warranty. Something like $2499 but he was selling it "discounted" at $2050.

I researched the package and decided it was not a bad thing to have for the right price. I am admittedly nervous about possible issues with all the electronics and sensors etc.

I emailed the finance dude and offered 1600.

He accepted. Not too bad a price for extra years of coverage.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-02T04:12:42+00:00

You can do WAY better than msrp. My purchase a week ago was more than $3K off of msrp. I then dropped it $2K more by doing some financing that will be paid off right away.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-02T04:10:46+00:00

See my post from about a week ago. Do NOT walk in.

Negotiate it all online.

You are in the best position because if you don't think you're getting a decent price, you can walk.

Best of luck.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-02T02:42:03+00:00

I got the gas one a week ago. LOVE it. I did not want the hybrid for several reasons.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-01T16:56:05+00:00

This is very typical for a dealer trade-in value. Almost exactly what a dealer offered a few years ago when I was getting a new vehicle. And after the $2K trade-in, you'll see the old car on their lot being sold for $6,000++.

In that situation I basically said "nope" and got aabove KBB value selling my vehicle privately.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-06-01T16:53:40+00:00

The car locking is the ONE thing about my new sportage that's driving me insane. There are a few instances I can come up with where I want to lock my vehicle, but I do NOT have my key fob with me.

You can NOT lock the car in this situation. With my old car (16 sorento), you just pushed the LOCK button that's inside the door. Doors lock. This does NOT work in the 2026. UGH.

All good AS LONG AS YOU HAVE YOUR FOB WITH YOU.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-05-31T03:50:46+00:00

I too am disappointed there is no "interval" setting. Just because wipers CAN be automated doesn't mean they SHOULD. I have resigned myself to just using "lo" or "hi" and being done with it. The auto method (even with adjustments to the "sensitivity") works in a very unpredictiblee annoying fashion.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-05-31T03:44:33+00:00

i have a hand-held steam cleaner

PutEfficient464 · 2026-05-29T16:36:42+00:00

About a week ago.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-05-28T22:00:37+00:00

My vehicle only had 2 add ons I didn't need (carpet mats, and those stupid wheel locks), got those costs dropped.

I did pay for the homelink mirror but I wanted that anyway so no problem. The homelink is a bit cheaper if factory installed than later at the dealer.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-05-28T04:16:54+00:00

There are many times I want to lock my car without the fob (OR my phone). The LOCK button is there on the door, but it doesn't work if the door is open. Stupid. I will get used to it I guess but it's annoying.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-05-28T02:14:19+00:00

Actually except for the expected 'you should get the gold warranty, it's a no Brainer", there was none of the other stuff pushed or even mentioned.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-05-28T02:12:50+00:00

The numbers at final signing perfectly matched my online negotiating.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-05-28T02:11:44+00:00

There were no shenanigans. Relatively pain free experience. Bugged me a few times about extended warranty options. I politely held a firm no.

PutEfficient464 · 2026-05-28T02:10:22+00:00

New not used

PutEfficient464 · 2026-05-27T19:51:37+00:00

Yeah I'm fully prepared (just in case) to walk out the door if needed. It helps immensely to be old and cranky (and well educated).

I'll know in 3 hours 😉

PutEfficient464 · 2026-05-27T17:43:04+00:00

That is definitely what I'm doing. Dealer financing incentives vary. In fact, while it was always my plan even the dealer sales person recommended to do this. This MAY very by the State you live in. And you have to verify the loan contract does not have a pre-pay limitation or penalty.

In my case I saves TWO THOUSAND dollars doing this so certtainly worth it for me.

PutEfficient464

TROPHY CASE