Is Mazda6 more dependable than Kia Optima or Hyundai Sonata?

Answer 1

Depends what year. The 00-04 Optima/Sonata 2.4 liter 4 cylinder has 2 rubber timing belts and is what is called a "interference" engine. Anyway, the belts are the weak link and they fail at 70-100 thousand miles. To change them at 60,000 (recomended mileage) it will set you back 800.00. Now what car now days costs 800.00 for a 60,000 mile maintenence interval????????? Anyway if you dont, you have a paperweight with kia badges. So in an honest answer the Mazda with its Ford derived engines (both 2.5 and 3.0) is the way to go. The 05 Optimas and Sonatas have a chain like every other timing system in the world, which leads me to believe Kia and Hyundai learned their lesson through warranty concerns. Funny their engine warranty is at 60,000 ;)