Best Value Cars
Gallery 1
Asia dominates big group
Kia Optima Si
How did the Korean mid-sizer do it, then? Kia’s industry-best seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty did the bulk of the work by giving it the full 10 points available in this regard, which few cars (and no rivals) earned, but even if the Optima had a five-year warranty, like the Hyundai i40, it would still come first, so its value fundamentals are sound.
Had both cars come with three-year warranties, they would be relegated to the middle of the field; still good picks overall, but no longer placegetters. So, how much is a long warranty worth, anyway? Well, in something as undoubtedly dependable as a Kia, perhaps not that much in real dollar terms, but the peace of mind it affords is priceless.
Hyundai i40 Active sedan
Subaru Liberty 2.5i
| Medium Cars under $45K | Kia Optima Si | Hyundai i40 Active sedan | Subaru Liberty 2.5i auto sedan |
| Purchase Price | $31,490 | $31,990 | $29,990 |
| Combined cycle fuel (L/100km) | 7.9 | 7.5 | 7.3 |
| Fuel RON (min. rec.) | 91 | 91 | 91 |
| Three-year fuel cost | $4509 | $4281 | $4167 |
| Redbook resale (%) | 57.9 | 53.3 | 63.9 |
| Three-year depreciation | $13,257 | $14,939 | $10,826 |
| AAMI insurance premium | $958 | $960 | $845 |
| Service interval (months) | 12 | 12 | 6 |
| Warranty (years) | 7 | 3 | 3 |
