Tesla Model Y Purchase Dilemma: The Decisive Reason for Choosing It Over Hyundai Motor Company

Tech YouTuber Techmong, who is considering a replacement due to the aging of his IONIQ Hybrid driven for 10 years, has expressed that he is considering the Tesla Model Y as his next vehicle instead of Hyundai Motor and Kia. According to Techmong's video, he judged that the Model Y is currently the most reasonable choice in terms of software update capabilities and price competitiveness, going beyond simple preference.

Aging of a 10-Year-Old Vehicle and the Burden of Repair Costs

Techmong explained that as his currently driven IONIQ Hybrid has passed 10 years, various defects such as undercarriage noise are occurring. He conveyed the aging state of the vehicle, saying, "All sorts of noises are coming from the car, and there is a clicking sound from underneath that sends an impact to my feet." In particular, he mentioned feeling the need to replace the vehicle, noting the severe noise problem that occurs when crossing speed bumps.

He recently visited Hyundai Bluehands to attempt maintenance, but faced a situation where he had to replace parts one by one to find the cause of the undercarriage noise. He reported that in this process, hundreds of thousands of won are incurred every time a part is replaced, and he received a diagnosis that the total repair cost could reach millions of won, and even then, the noise might not be resolved. Having received a recommendation from the mechanic to better change the car, he began to seriously consider vehicle replacement.

Limitations of Hyundai Motor and Kia's Autonomous Driving Updates and Tesla's Price Competitiveness

The core reason he is paying attention to the Tesla Model Y instead of Hyundai Motor and Kia lies in the future value of software updates (OTA) and autonomous driving technology. Techmong mentioned that Hyundai Motor Company plans to complete the development of Level 2 Plus autonomous driving technology in the first half of 2028, and Level 2 Plus Plus in the second half of 2028. However, he analyzed that since the Hyundai Motor and Kia models currently on sale have low chipset performance and do not have as many cameras as Tesla, it will be difficult to receive software updates at the level of Tesla in the future.

In particular, he expressed concern that "all Hyundai Motor and Kia vehicles purchased before 2029 will not support Level 2 Plus Plus through updates," explaining that as someone who tends to drive a car for a long time once purchased, buying a vehicle with limited software updates is a burden. This contains the concern that even if one purchases a vehicle with new technology applied, their car might be excluded from the update targets.

Additionally, the difference in manufacturing costs was mentioned. Techmong explained that while Hyundai Motor and Kia's products are mostly produced in domestic factories and thus have high price resistance due to labor-management agreements, Tesla has secured strong price competitiveness by supplying models produced through Chinese factories. He added, "Tesla used to have an perception of being expensive, but now it has a sense of cost-effectiveness," noting that the new car price of the Model Y is set at around 49.99 million won, making it possible to purchase in the mid-40 million won range when applying subsidies, which is competitive even when compared to Hyundai Motor Company's upper models such as the GRANDEUR.

High Value in the Used Car Market and the Reason for Choosing Model Y

Techmong also noted the high residual value of the Model Y in the used car market. He confirmed that demand in the used car market is so high that the price of used cars in near-new condition is actually formed higher than the new car price. Citing the fact that it is difficult to find Model Y used car listings priced below 50 million won, he viewed this as a result reflecting the vehicle's high technical value and software competitiveness.

He considered higher models such as the Model X, but judged that the Model X is expensive and currently discontinued, which could cause inconvenience in terms of future repairs or accessory supply. On the other hand, he cited the wide range of accessory choices and practicality as advantages of the Model Y due to its high sales volume. He emphasized, "I am a person who considers cost-effectiveness and practicality very much, and when considering all of this, there is no answer right now except for the Tesla Model Y."

However, he mentioned some inconveniences such as the steering wheel getting hot in summer or operational issues in winter as disadvantages of the Model Y. He dismissed these as minor inconveniences, saying, "If the steering wheel is hot, I can just cool the heat with my hands," but concluded the video by asking viewers for their opinions on whether his choice is an early symptom of being a 'Tesla fanatic' or a rational judgment.