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K Car: “50% of Consumers Prefer New Cars but Hesitate Due to Prices and Interest Rates” [Photo provided by K Car]
A recent survey found that while domestic consumers’ interest in new cars remains high, they are reluctant to actually make purchases due to rising prices and the burden of interest rates.
Directly managed used-car platform K Car on the 15th released the results of its “Survey on Preferences for New Cars Scheduled for Release in 2026 and Perceptions of Car Purchases,” conducted through Embrain on 500 adult men and women nationwide.
According to the survey, 35.0% of respondents said they “still prefer to buy new cars,” but 26.4% answered that they are “hesitating to buy due to price burdens,” and 23.4% said they are “actively considering used cars instead of new ones.” When combining those who cited price burdens and those considering used cars, the figure reaches 49.8%, indicating that about half of consumers are holding back on new-car purchases because of prices and the current interest-rate environment.
The most important factors when purchasing a new car were purchase price (34.0%) and maintenance costs (28.8%), showing that consumers are highly conscious of both upfront and long-term expenses. The most preferred price range was in the 30 million won bracket, at 35.4%.
Preferences by vehicle type were largely driven by practicality. Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and recreational vehicles (RVs) accounted for an overwhelming 66.8%, while sedans stood at 26.2%. In terms of fuel type, hybrids were the most preferred at 52.6%, followed by internal combustion engine vehicles at 31.4% and electric vehicles at 16.0%.
In a separate question on the transition to eco-friendly vehicles, 47.4% responded that a phased shift via hybrids is necessary, the largest share, while 17.2% agreed on the need for a full-fledged transition centered on electric vehicles. Another 20.2% said they are withholding judgment due to issues such as charging infrastructure, subsidies, and price stability, indicating that hybrids are still viewed more favorably at this stage.
Among models scheduled for release in 2026, Genesis and Hyundai Motor Company brands stood out as the most anticipated. In the hybrid segment, the Genesis GV80 Hybrid received the highest expectations, while in the electric vehicle segment, the Genesis GV90 ranked first. In the internal combustion engine segment, the facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe was the most frequently chosen model.
This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.
2026-01-14 17:37:58
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※ This article was translated using AI technology for reader convenience.
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