Kia Sorento OR Hyundai Santa Fe

That would be illegal if true.

The spare parts supply chain is as good for Kia and Hyundai as any other mainstream OEM manufacturer. Service costs are comparable to all main brands.

I have an 18 plate Santa Fe, tows superbly and so far been very reliable. It has a full size spare, didnt even know a spacesaver tyre was an option.

Santa Fe and Sorento share platform, architecture, and powertrain so it really comes down to which one you like the best.

I am sure it is not "illegal" for any manufactuer to insist genuine parts are fitted to their products ,rather than "copies" to keep a warranty active

Agreed, JV. What is prohibited is a manufacturer's insistence that main dealer servicing is essential to maintain the warranty. Any garage can carry out servicing and the warranty will be unaffected providing genuine parts are used.

Keith made no mention of warranties etc ... his point was that his daughter said that many of the pattern parts available for other makes of car were only available for Hyundais (at a premium) from Hyundai themselves. And I can vouch for some of the high parts prices from having a Hyundai some years ago ..... cheap cars made from expensive parts! 😉

Same cars but different cosmetically, all down to whether you like the more pleasing front of the Hyundai or the less pleasing Kia.

They switched to the skinny spare when the adblue tank was added - around 2018.  My understanding is that there wasn't space for the full sized spare any more.

Note that on models with a full sized spare, the spare doesn't have a TPMS sender, so when you use the spare, it will illuminate the tyre warning symbol on the dash.  

Or the extra over the Santa Fe of the Kia 7year warranty 

Great things about the Sorento (Mine is a 2015 KX3 if that's relevant):

• Easy to drive. 
• Decent fuel consumption. 
• Aircon in the boot area is brilliant for the dog. 
• Android auto is brilliant. 
• Full size spare (to 2018-ish).
• Reliability

Negatives:

• spares can be expensive (eg. £600 + paint + fitting for a door mirror). 
• Kia UK insist on annual servicing for low mileage users, when Kia Europe are happy with every two years).
• I found some dealers are iffy.

PS. There's a new Sorento due in the Autumn.  If you're buying the existing model, look for some serious discounts.

https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-kia-sorento-suv-revealed-price-specs-and-release-date/n21016

It is totally illegal under Block Exemption Regulations and the European anti competition laws. Any company breaking them face huge fines.

The OEM is not allowed to bar alternative supply of parts or servicing by means of  punitive measures detailed in warranty documents.

You have the legal right to have your vehicle serviced anywhere and use parts supplied from the aftermarket as long as they meet the manufacturers specifications.

If the dealer tells you otherwise they are breaking the law.