Are you considering the benefits of the 2024 Kia Ray compact car?
Recently, my wife and I visited a Kia dealership in Apgujeong to find a comfortable second car.
We are considering the Kia Ray, a compact RV model.
The Ray is easy to drive, even for beginners, and offers various benefits for compact cars, making it an affordable option.
The Kia Ray offers a variety of benefits for compact cars.
When purchasing the vehicle, buyers enjoy exemptions from acquisition tax and public bond purchases, reducing the initial cost.
While driving, we discover even more benefits.
The highway tolls and other paid road fees receive a 50% discount, along with a 50% discount on public parking.
My wife and I often enjoy food and café tours in downtown Seoul, but we found parking spaces limited and expensive.
This made it feel burdensome.
However, having a compact car allows us to navigate the city economically and easily drive through narrow alleys.
My wife particularly felt anxious about parking in tight spaces, but she said that during a test drive of the Ray last fall, she found parking to be easy for the first time.
With the second row folded down, we can sit around a table and enjoy coffee or tea, making it spacious enough for couples or newlyweds on camping dates.
At the Kia 360 showroom we visited, they had decorated the Ray with a camping and pet-friendly theme.
The windows had blinds installed, creating a cozy atmosphere perfect for camping late into the night.
Visiting a spacious camping site where our dog can run around would be wonderful, right?
Many people around me are considering purchasing a compact RV model.
It seems that the newest hires at my company are buying them the most.
In the past, compact cars often received a bit of disdain, and no colleagues actually bought them.
However, new employees from the MZ generation focus more on enjoying their desired lifestyle rather than worrying about others' opinions.
A colleague from the team next to mine bought a Ray for car camping by the Han River and says he goes there every weekend to unwind.
Car camping has become popular, and it’s clear that it has established itself as a trend.
2024 Ray specifications and estimated pricing
Overall length: 141.5 inches
Overall width: 62.8 inches
Overall height: 66.9 inches
Wheelbase: 99.2 inches
Engine: Inline 3-cylinder
Displacement: 61 cubic inches
Maximum output: 76 hp / 6,200 rpm
Maximum torque: 70.9 lb-ft / 3,750 rpm
Tire specifications: 175 / 50R 15
Combined fuel economy: 29.9 mpg
City fuel economy: 28.3 mpg
Highway fuel economy: 32.3 mpg
While the output of the 1.0 gasoline engine may feel slightly lacking, the ability to purchase it affordably without taxes through compact car benefits makes it worthwhile.
The estimated price for the 2024 Ray signature trim is as follows:
Vehicle price: 1,770,000 KRW (approximately $1,330 USD)
Acquisition tax: 0 KRW (exempt for compact cars)
Bond discount: 0 KRW (exempt for compact cars)
=> Estimated actual purchase price: 1,770,000 KRW (approximately $1,330 USD)
Since the Kia Ray is exempt from acquisition tax and bond amounts, the vehicle price directly translates to the actual purchase price.
The available trims include the entry-level Trendy (1,390,000 KRW / approximately $1,050 USD), Prestige (1,635,000 KRW / approximately $1,230 USD), Signature (1,770,000 KRW / approximately $1,330 USD), and Gravity (1,865,000 KRW / approximately $1,400 USD), allowing for a selection of four options.
However, if you frequently drive on highways at high speeds, there may be less need to purchase a compact electric vehicle.
Given the clear pros and cons of the 1.0 gasoline and EV models, consider your driving environment to make the optimal choice.
As a reference, the delivery wait for the Ray EV model is about 4 to 5 months, while the gasoline model takes around 6 to 7 weeks.
With affordable rates and quick deliveries, KS Auto Plan has shown high customer satisfaction, winning the Asia Economic Brand Power Award in 2020, so you can trust their services.
The Ray allows drivers to enjoy various compact car benefits and is user-friendly for those who may not be confident in their driving skills.
For those still learning to drive, individual insurance premiums can be high due to the increased risk of accidents. However, using a long-term rental option allows you to benefit from the rental company's insurance rates, making it relatively affordable to use the vehicle.
Moreover, if an accident occurs due to inexperience, your personal auto insurance rates won’t increase, which is an added advantage.
Therefore, I recommend using a rental car until you become more comfortable with driving.
Even if you have received estimates from other companies, I recommend getting one more from KS Auto Plan, the leading company for comparison estimates, before making your final decision.
This post received support from KS for content creation.