Kia Magentis 2.7 EX 2007 Review

Road Test

It used to be both fair and fashionable to criticise Korean cars, but the world has moved on, and the Koreans are closing the gap on the Japanese. Typical of the new breed of Korean cars are the latest wave of Kias, with the Magentis at the crest.

Think of it as a 7/8ths-sized Camry with a loaded spec-sheet for under $32K and you'd be close.

How loaded? Try leather furniture, an eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, five-speed Tipshift auto, smooth 2.7-litre V6, ABS brakes with EBD, ESP stability control, light-sensing auto lamps and trip-function computer (phew!). Plus in the cavernous boot there's a full-sized alloy spare wheel, non-intrusion hinges with gas struts, shopping-bag hooks and power socket.

In the cabin there's clever design and thoughtful touches -- consider the parking card slots in both the extending sun-visors and the dash and steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise-control buttons.

Besides the electronic active-safety driver aids, Magentis protects its occupants with front SRS airbags, side airbags which offer thorax and pelvis protection for the driver and front passenger and both front and rear curtain airbags. Active front-seat head restraints move up and forward to protect against whiplash in the event of rear-end impact. It's a comprehensive array of passive protection equipment.

Behind the wheel, the Magentis is relatively smooth, reasonably fast and comfortable -- with a ride which might be politely called 'compliant'. In reality (and this is often where 'the Koreans' aren't quite up to standard) it is underdamped and can become soggy when pushed on smooth roads yet suffers harshness on rougher surfaces.

On unsealed roads the traction control gets a fair bit of exercise, its dash-lamp blinking away. But it must be said that the system operates smoothly and almost imperceptibly, just backing off the power when the suspension can't keep up with the level of power being delivered to the tyres. The Magentis' steering is also featureless and doesn't provide much feedback.

True, drivers of this car are unlikely to be troubled by an almost complete lack of sporting inputs from either wheel or suspension, but that's not reason to excuse these faults. Suspension and steering refinement will be the next phase of Kia's 'catch-up'.

The 2.65-litre V6 petrol engine delivers 138kW at 6000rpm and 247Nm at 4000. auto gearbox's five ratios make the most of what's available to offer both brisk acceleration and relaxed cruising. Over 438km our dark burgundy example averaged exactly 12.0lt/100km -- according to the on-board computer.

Admittedly, it's no rocketship -- the car weighs a not inconsiderable 1515kg -- but high performance isn't high on a Magentis buyers shopping list. What they are looking for is comfort, space and lots of 'fruit' for their money. This, they get and on the face of it, the Magentis offers exceptional value for money.

What's not to like? Well, call us Camry-cardigans, but faux carbon-fibre dash trim has no place in a luxurious sedan, irrespective of its price tag or country of origin. Kids find the rear windows small and too high to see out of -- although they concede that there's lots of foot-space and legroom -- and while we're being picky, there are two central front cupholders, but no bottle-holders in the doors.

Finally, the remote central locking controls are on a separate fob not incorporated into the key. This is the 21st Century and we have 100cm plasma TVs, so why aren't the central locking buttons built into the key?

Incidentally, the name Kia roughly translates as, "to come up out of Asia to the world". So now you know.

To read our launch review of the Kia Magentis click

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