Advice on KIA Niro and EV6 leases

[Geoff]

Here’s ChatGPT’s feedback, just FYI…

[BYGFEET]

@Geoff

I know the Ioniq is more closely compared to the KIA EV6 than the Niro, but I only need this car for mostly around-town driving. I’m not looking for long distance commuter driving, so I’d rather have the lower payment.

You’re contradicting yourself…

@Geoff

Thanks for the feedback, Michael. Yes, I always prefer the top trim level, because I enjoy the interior features, like better quality seats that are both heated and ventilated, better stereo, parking & tech, digital key, etc.

Which is it, lower payment or features???

I’d suggest a Subaru Solterra at just above $220/mo w/$3000 DAS (if it is still available)
Also, @Jeff_BeachCitiesAuto had a Honda Prologue Touring for $315/mo $2K DAS deal

[Geoff]

I’m not contradicting myself at all. My statement about the EV6 vs Niro EV was comparing the charging, miles, and engine performance…not interior and tech features.

Two things can also be true at once. I never said lower payment regardless of features. The features need to match what I want in a vehicle, and the EV6 has more performance than I need, while suffering interior and tech unless upgraded to the GT line, which is much more expensive.

I looked into the Solterra. For the trim level I wanted, the lease deal wasn’t nearly as good as I got with the Niro EV Wave. Plus, with a larger battery and unnecessary AWD for my driving habits/location, the Niro is more efficient.

The Prologue is entirely unimpressive on the inside. Honda is the dearth of major brands, in regards to its lagging behind the others in current tech and desirable interior features.

[paranoidgarliclover]

I haven’t reviewed what ChatGPT said, but, at least for now, the conventional wisdom is that AI often doesn’t do a great job calculating leases. Having said that, you’ve also gotten human feedback in the thread.

@BYGFEET

You’re contradicting yourself

I don’t necessarily think so. I myself can understand wanting higher-end features in a smaller car and being willing to pay more for those features in the car w/ the right form factor (whereas paying less for a car w/o the right form factor might seem like a bit of a waste of $).

[Geoff]

If you look at that AI screenshot, I was surprised how intuitive it is. It even indicated the only factors that would have made the deal a 10/10 is to increase the mileage allowance for the same cost (which I won’t even drive 10K miles per year, so no concern there), or to negotiate a lower monthly price, to which it immediately also said they wouldn’t expect any dealer to take a lower price unless something else drastically changed. So, I’m totally satisfied with it. I haven’t been able to find a single signed lease deal for the Wave in NorCal even close to what I got.it for.

[BYGFEET]

@Geoff

Good question about shopping the car or the deal. I’m shopping the deal, for sure, but not on luxury EVs…just regular EVs. I started with Kia because I currently have the Sorento PHEV, and I was going to see what kind of loyalty discount I can get. But, if anyone on here says something like, “there are smokin’ deals on the Mazda MX-30 EV right now”, I’m totally open to it.

Again, not pointing any fingers but…

alas, you should get the EV6 out of the two Niro vs EV6

[Geoff]

What on earth is that supposed to prove? My own point? I can be open to something and then decide against it once the lease deal is scrutinized and/or discovering that the features aren’t comparable. The EV6 GT is not leasing nearly as well as what I got on the Niro. Period. And, as I wrote above, the EV6 is too much vehicle for what I need. EOS.