Kia Magentis
On sale 1st June 2006

Noisy cars are the second most irritating neighbourhood noise according to a National Noise Survey carried out by MORI this year.
Although improvements in technology mean that car engines are fifty percent quieter than they were ten years ago, some motorists have to make up for it, by turning up their beating bass notes and opening car windows.

Listening to absolute quiet can actually be quite painful to the ears, as I discovered when I drove the new Kia Magentis last weekend. Hardly a sound can be heard from either petrol or diesel engine and neither is there any road noise. I felt as if I was wrapped in a ball of cotton wool, which is emphasised by the extremely smooth ride, or should I say glide.

This family saloon is a beautiful car for long journeys, offering comfort, quietness and style.

It is a classy looking vehicle, and is bigger all round than the model it replaces. The platform is specific to Magentis and will be used on the replacement Carens, Kia’s mid sized MPV, due to go on sale later in 2006.

In fact, the new Magentis completes a total regeneration of the Korean company’s passenger car range in less than two years. The oldest model on the fleet is now the Picanto, which was introduced in July 2004.

Magentis is an important car for Kia, as it will begin the company’s assault on the fleet market, which will be followed by two all new MPVs and a new C segment car.

There are many benefits to buying a Magentis, both for retail and fleet user, but I have to say that the biggest let down is the interior. I thought the plastics were cheap looking and I found the indicator/wiper stalks on the non traditional sides of the steering wheel, very irritating. A new owner would get used to it though and it does have an excellent range of standard equipment, even on the bottom GS model.

Prices start at £14,495 for the 2 litre petrol GS manual and for that price the owner gets air conditioning, front, side and curtain airbags, an MP3 compatible radio/CD player, driver’s seat height adjustment and a tilt adjust steering column, powered and heated door mirrors, four electric windows and remote central locking.

There are also lots of spaces for storing bits and pieces and stretching out for the six footer is no problem, with the substantial increases in the car’s length, width and height. Rear seat passengers sit 25mm higher than those in front to ensure they also enjoy a view through the windscreen. The boot too is very large and will accommodate 420 litres with seats up. Seats can be folded down, just by pushing a lever to give a flat floor.

Despite its increase in size, in comparison with the outgoing model, the new Magentis is quicker, more fuel efficient and cleaner. It is the first D segment car from Kia to offer a turbodiesel engine and will be vital to helping Kia strengthen its position in this sector where diesels account for almost two out of every three sales.

The 2 litre CRDi engine is a lightly modified and improved version of the unit fitted to Kia’s SUV, the Sportage. I found it very quiet and torquey and it will power up to 62mph in 10.4 seconds and on, says Kia to a maximum speed of 125mph. Combined fuel consumption is 47.1mpg and CO2 emissions are 162g/km, placing it in the 22% benefit in kind band and costing the tax payer just £62.50 a month.
With the option of an automatic gearbox and a price of £17,995, Kia believes this will help the Magentis sell, particularly to user choosers and small businesses.

Two petrol engines are also available, a 2 litre and a revised 2.7 litre V6 that comes with a new five speed automatic transmission as standard.

The steering on the Magentis is light and it corners well, but any manoeuvre is made more difficult because of the large turning circle.

However, with a stylish exterior, excellent price, the high equipment specification, and a comfortable and very quiet ride, the new Kia Magentis has a lot going for it.

By Sue Cooke