Leftlane’s bottom line

Kia is no longer content to be the butt of jokes or the car of last resort for those who may be fiscally challenged.

Although still very much a Hyundai rival, Kia finally has a design language and style of its own. The brand is making all the right moves, unlike a certain Japanese rival that seems to make all the wrong decisions these days.

This particular Korean firm is succeeding in their quest to become a tier-one import that won’t cause anyone to have to explain their purchases. Competing brands should do well to look over their shoulders for there is a new contender gaining on them.

    See also:

    Running gear
    The Kia Magentis shares a platform that is also used by Kia's compact five- or seven-seat MPV, the Carens. It features fully-independent front and rear suspension systems designed to take advantag ...

    Refinement
    The levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in the Magentis's cabin are particularly low, thanks to a studied programme of measures. These include sound-proofing foam in hollow sections of ...

    Indicator symbols on the instrument cluster
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