Weighing options could use a second brain to help

[Newbie2018]

Just looking for some opinions. I'd like to make great financial decisions with this. 

I financed a 2022 kia sorento S in September 2022 brand new 33 miles. Payments were a little extreme even with 5k down but was able to get a semi decent rate of 10.95 given the circumstance. Payments are getting a little rough to keep up with. Not to mention I've read so many stories in the kia Sorento group in regards to my exact make and model within days of getting their brand new vehicle. Engine goes out transmission messes up. So I'd like to get out while I can. 

I went to Car Max to get an appraisal to see how much I'd be offered to pay off and get into something else. My fico score has made a 125 point jump and no baddies. They offered $33,060 my payoff with regional acceptance is around $33,700 which I'm ok with paying the diff.

I know I can get some sort of savings with trading in my vehicle though.
I've been looking at Hondas and Toyotas to see if I can get not only a reliable but affordable vehicle. Since my scores got better I was able to get  a preapproval with pen fee but the rate showing 7% but I know it's not final til they actually pull your credit could go up or down. I'm at 750 fico with EQ which happens to be my best profile. 
Anyway 

Would it make sense to sale to Carmax pay the difference of what's owed and then try to see what Honda Financial or Toyota Financial come with as far as Rates  go  to compare to my pen fed pre approval? 
Or trade in with whoever I go with Honda or Toyota and pay the $700 up front so it's not tacked to the back end (being they come with an offer similar to CarMax)? What are rates like for top tier 1 with either dealer? 
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

[AutisticPretzel]

Honestly, I think your first goal and priority is to get out of that terrible loan that you have. Credit Acceptance definitely isn't an institution you'd want to be dealing with if you got behind on payments.

Assuming your CarMax offer is good for 30 days, I would 100% attempt to find a new (used but new to you) vehicle within that time frame. With the volatility of the car market, the worse thing you could do is allow that offer to expire.

Ideally what you would like to do is to find a another vehicle that you like with a dealership that is willing to give you either more or a similar amount that CarMax is offering - This eliminates having to wait for your car to be paid off and dealing with multiple dealerships (which can be a headache in itself).

If I haven't emphasized it enough, please get out of that deal you have now. There are a handful of institutions that also offer soft pull approvals like PenFed - 7% isn't horrible (given current rate hikes) but I'm sure you can do better. Last month, I managed a 5.94%/75 month term with a 717 FICO on a used vehicle, so I'm sure you can as well. Every percentage point counts, especially when you're talking about $30K+.

Capital One, Patelco Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union & Dover Credit Union ALL have soft pull processes like PenFed. Of course nothing is rock solid until it's approved approved but it will definitely give you a better idea for what you qualify for. I would highly suggest you get your financing in order prior to stepping on the car dealer lot so you have a firm offer if you're not happy with dealership finance offerings.

I hope you find some value in this. Best of luck to you... Please kick C.A. to the curb while you can!

[Newbie2018]

Thanks a lot for your input. It makes sense! Definitely will use what you suggested.