Owning
The Kia's length, width and stretched wheelbase provide excellent legroom in the rear. The boot is also generous, with a 420-litre luggage capacity. In the front, though, the cabin doesn't give you the same sense of space, because the driving position is flawed. Upper-range LS and V6 models get an electric driver's seat as standard, but it doesn't adjust low enough. The amount of reach and rake movement on the steering wheel isn't sufficient, either, so you end up feeling cramped. Seats don't offer much side support either. And although the Kia is very well screwed together, it is summed up by annoying touches such as the aftermarket-style radio and indicators that are on the wrong side of the steering wheel - which ruin the everyday ownership experience. The weighting of the controls could also be better. But equipment levels are very good indeed, though arguably they have to be, given some steep list prices. Depreciation will also be a bit steep, while returns of 38.8mpg from our diesel test car were disappointing - though it had very few miles on the clock. Looser engines often return better figures.
See also:
Standard Kia Safety Features
Kia Soul continues to offer the same high level of standard safety equipment
as all Kia vehicles, with features such as front seat active headrests, dual
front advanced airbags, front seat-mounted ...
Efficient, Powerful Engine
Available in two powerplants - a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 2.7-liter V6
engine - and two five-speed transmissions (manual with LX four-cylinder model
only), the 2009 Kia Optima introduces a new ...
Safety
All 2009 Kia Sorentos, regardless of trim level, feature antilock disc
brakes, full-length side curtain airbags, stability control, traction control
and driver knee airbags. In government crash te ...