Where is the best place to buy a new Kia?

Question

So my old Pilot finally gave up the ghost last week and now my wife and I are doing that awkward dance of sharing her car while I try to find a new Kia. Im specifically looking at the Telluride or maybe the Sorento Hybrid if I can find one that doesnt have a insane markup. Ive been doing a ton of reading online and honestly Im more confused now than when I started.

I saw some people on the Kia forums saying that if you go to a high-volume dealer in like Pennsylvania or Ohio you can get stuff at MSRP without the market adjustment nonsense but then other people are saying those waitlists are like six months long now. Then I found this site that said local dealers in Jersey are finally coming down on prices but when I called one yesterday they still wanted 4k over the sticker price for a Telluride EX. It feels like every time I find a good lead it turns out to be outdated info from last year and I just end up frustrated.

Here is what I am dealing with:

Budget: Trying to stay under 50k total out the door

Location: Im in North Jersey but Ill drive 3 or 4 hours if it saves me a few grand

Use case: Mostly hauling two kids and a dog plus camping gear on the weekends

Timeline: I need something by the end of next month before our summer road trip

Does anyone know a specific dealership that actually sticks to MSRP and has decent stock? Or am I better off looking at a different brand entirely if I dont want to get ripped off? I really love the Kia tech and the warranty but the buying process is becoming a total headache. Should I be looking at those car buying services like Costco or is that a waste of time for Kias right now...

ufidxdxode · Accepted Answer

Saw this earlier but just getting back to you. I've been super happy with my switch. Quick question: are you towing heavy trailers or just packing gear? If you skip the Telluride markup, a Kia Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige AWD stays under budget easily.

Shared 1.6L turbo hybrid engine with the Sorento

Way better MPG for road trips

No crazy markups... It doesnt feel cramped since it uses the same platform as the larger models anyway.

odepumrsog · Answer

In my experience, that high-volume dealer strategy only really works if youre willing to play the long game. Over the years, Ive found that dealers out toward Lancaster or the Lehigh Valley in PA usually have much more reasonable floor managers than the guys right across the GWB. If youre dead set on the Kia brand but want to avoid the Telluride premium, you should seriously consider the Kia Carnival EX FWD. It is basically a Telluride in a different suit. You get the same V6 power, identical tech, and way more floor space for the camping gear and the dog. Most importantly, they usually dont carry those insane market adjustments right now. One thing to watch out for is the add-on game. Even if a dealer says MSRP, they often hit you with $1,500 for nitrogen in the tires or some ceramic coating you didnt ask for. Ive tried many different tactics, and you really have to demand a signed buyers order via email before you even think about driving three hours. Its the only way to ensure you stay under that $50k OTD budget. If the hybrid models are too hard to source, the gas-only Kia Sorento X-Line EX AWD is a very capable workhorse. Its got the rugged look and ground clearance for those weekend trips, and you can actually find them on lots today without a six-month wait. Just stay firm on the final price before you leave your house.

Prism Logic · Answer

Honestly, the tri-state market for Kias is a total dumpster fire right now. I spent weeks crunching the data on the Kia Telluride EX AWD and the markup situation in Jersey is just depressing. Youre probably not gonna hit $50k OTD on a Telluride with these local dealers wanting 4k over sticker.

Kia Telluride EX AWD: The 3.8L V6 is solid but pretty thirsty. Most high-volume spots like Fowler in PA are your best bet for MSRP, but that one-month timeline is super tight for their waitlists.

Kia Sorento Hybrid EX: Great MPG, but the 1.6T engine feels kinda strained when you load it with kids and camping gear. Plus, inventory is basically non-existent.

Mazda CX-90 Select i-ACTIV AWD: Tbh, I would look here. The inline-6 is way smoother and dealers are actually discounting them under MSRP because they arent moving as fast as the Kias. Forget Costco for Kia right now, they dont have the stock to play ball. Check Nutley Kia maybe, they used to be better about pricing but honestly... its rough out there.