KIA Canada has its corporate philosophy wrapped up in the marketing tag line "The Power to Surprise." Not bad, but if the Korean automaker could sweet-talk Lexus into letting it borrow elements of its iconic tag line, I would suggest a better one might be "The Relentless Pursuit of Acceptance." Kia, with help from parent company Hyundai, is working like a one-armed masseur to both expand and update its product lineup and get to a point where its name doesn't automatically connote budget-based, lower-end-of-the-spectrum vehicles.
The all-new 2007 Magentis sedan is an Olympic-sized hop, skip and jump in the right direction. And, despite what I just said about Kia wanting to be known for more than just being cheap and cheerful, with a starting price of less than $22,000, the mid-sized four-door is an attractive proposition for those looking to stretch their dollars.
Based on the award-winning Hyundai Sonata's platform, the new Magentis receives its own unique if not overly distinctive styling. The quick and dirty on the 2007 model, in comparison with its predecessor, is that it sports a longer wheelbase, wider track, increased horsepower, better fuel economy, substantially improved driving dynamics and greater passenger comfort.
Want more? How about six standard air bags, including dual front and front seat-mounted side air bags and full-length side curtain air bags, plus a tire-pressure monitoring system and standard anti-lock brakes?
Also, let's include the base LX's standard comfort and convenience items: anti-whiplash active front headrests, anti-theft ignition immobilizer, cruise control, AM/FM/CD system with six speakers, air conditioning, keyless entry, power windows, locks and heated side mirrors, heated front seats and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
As for the $3,000 Premium package as found in the tester, add a five-speed manumatic (Steptronic) transmission, electronic stability control, eight-way power-adjustable driver seat, power sunroof, telescoping steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, a trip computer, automatic light control and fog lights. The new Magentis is re-entering Canada's hugely competitive mid-sized sedan segment not with a whimper, but with a bang the likes of a Warner Bros. cartoon explosion.
Of course, none of the above would amount to anything if the car's driving experience was akin to a visit to the proctologist. And this is where the four-door surprises. As long as sporting, BMW-like dynamics are not expected, the Magentis is a suitably calm and competent family-oriented daily runner.
The base engine is a 2.4-litre, DOHC four-cylinder. The 161-horsepower unit delivers 15 per cent more power than last year's motor, not to mention -- as Kia is quick to note -- that it surpasses the base four-cylinders from the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Mazda6 and Chevy Malibu. It proved to be a smooth-running affair that was almost Honda-like and generally unobtrusive, unless foot-to-the-floor power was called for, in which case things got a little busy.
Since the Magentis -- at 1,442 kg -- is not overly weighed down, acceleration is quite acceptable. And, when driven in a prudent manner, fuel economy is decent. In a week with the tester, I averaged 8.8 L/100 km, which included an even mix of city and highway driving. For those needing more power, the Magentis can be had with a 2.7-litre V-6.
The ride is also pretty good. The Magentis's suspension layout is fairly straightforward -- MacPherson struts in front with coil springs and multi-link with coil springs in the back, with anti-roll bars at both ends. Helped along by the car's long wheelbase, the ride is comfortable and body roll isn't excessive for a family sedan. Only when plodding along a long stretch of freshly patched tarmac did I notice some minor drumming through the car's body.
Along with the car's greater width, that same long wheelbase (2,720 mm) contributes to a roomy interior that will take a quartet of six-footers with ease. The one letdown is the front seats, which are kind of mushy and lack the sort of bottom support that encourages long-distance touring.
The cabin is well laid-out with good-quality trim materials and flush panel gaps. The instrumentation is easy to read and all controls are well marked and within easy reach. With the number of features Kia crams into the car, it's no stretch to think you've moved up a notch or two in price category.
That the Magentis appears to be a class piece of work shouldn't be all that surprising, since Kia, like Hyundai, is showing the same leaps in quality that the Japanese automakers were showing 15 to 20 years ago. If the car is short on the entertainment factor -- and, to be fair, Kia makes no claim that the Magentis is anything other than fun to drive -- it is long on value.
Comfort, convenience and safety are attributes many buyers crave. The Magentis satisfies.
--CanWest News Service
TYPE OF VEHICLE: Front-wheel drive, mid-sized sedan
ENGINE: 2.4-litre DOHC four-cylinder
POWER: 161 hp. at 5,800 r.p.m.; 163 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 r.p.m.
TRANSMISSION: Five-speed manumatic
BRAKES: Four-wheel disc with ABS
TIRES: 205/60R16
PRICE: base/as tested $21,895/$24,895
DESTINATION CHARGE: $1,090
FUEL ECONOMY: 9.7 L/100 km city, 6.4 L/100 km hwy.
STANDARD FEATURES: Tilt and telescoping steering column, power windows, door locks and mirrors, power sunroof, cruise control, air conditioning, heated seats, eight-way power driver's seat, AM/FM/CD system with six speakers, trip computer and automatic light control, dual front, dual side and side-curtain air bags.
The Bottom Line
PRICE: $21,895, base; $24,895 as tested.
HIGHS: Fuel economy, high feature count, good fit and finish.
LOWS: Mushy seats, average handling, busy four-banger.
THE VERDICT: Drive it before buying anything else.
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