I like the concept of this, but they just don’t feel to be “nice” places to be in like some of the European marques. The Volvos are about the most comfortable “normal” cars I’ve been in, the Kia’s / Hyundais/ MGs / Toyotas feel like sitting on badly covered sofas on a wishy washy suspension platform, without enough sound deadening.
Those are completely different marks, from completely different countries, and completely different aims and feel.
And as someone who drove multiple cars, from multiple East Asian and European marks, I suggest you try drive newer cars, because your opinions don’t match 2024-2025 MY cars from those brands (except for maybe MG, and Toyota, but both aren’t designed or sold for the driving experience. Toyota leaves it for their Lexus brand, and Chinese marks don’t even try to compete on that yet).
The modern (2023-2025) KIAs (is that what you’re referring to?) have been horrifically crashy in terms of suspension and ride compared to the Germans in my experience. Definitely wouldn’t be for me. We’ve got a 2024 Skoda Octavia VRS and had a 2021 V60, both of which seem to be a much more sensible ride than the (both e and non e)-Niro and the Stonic. The sportage was a whole other level of rolly, and we don’t really get non SUVish-but-not-really models in the UK. Even my 2010 325i was a whole other level of comfort compared to what is being produced by the eastern markets today.
We have a Hyundai Ioniq 5 and we test drove lots of cars, and love, love how this one feels. Great suspension, grips to the road, crazy fun acceleration. Granted, some 100k+ luxury sedans probably beat it out, but we're really happy. Volvos were ok? I didn't super like them, a bit more cockpit feel to them. Maybe that's the difference between us? You want it to feel more like a cockpit of an aircraft and I want something chill and comfortable?
The Kia's we tried were mostly great (The EV6 felt like a cockpit though) - the EV9 was awesome but we couldn't convince ourselves to get such a large vehicle.
