2007 Kia Magentis Road Test

By Alborz Fallah | September 03rd, 2007

2007 Kia Magentis Road Test

CarAdvice rating:

Recommended Retail Price: From $25,990 to $31,490 (V6)

Model tested: Kia Magentis 2.7-litre V6

Like it or not, Kia is not what it used to be, the Korean manufacturer is no longer simply the cheaper version of its sister company Hyundai. After a period of uncertainty and quality issues, Kia has finally come of age.

The company released its mid-sized sedan (Magentis) last year to take on the likes of the Mazda6, Toyota Camry and Holden Epica.

From the outside, the Magentis isn’t what you’d call sexy, but it’s not bland and boring either. Observing one drive by, you’d be hard pressed guessing it was a Kia, the front headlights posses a subtle yet assertive stance, while the rear seems a little too similar to its Japanese rivals, which is a good thing.

To start with, Kia has gone the whole nine yards and provided buyers with every safety technology in its arsenal. The entire Magentis range comes with anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA), electronic stability program (ESP) with traction control, dual front airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags, as standard!

Don’t be quick to dismiss this as a marketing ploy, the level of safety you get with the Magentis, a car that starts from just $25,990, is remarkable, and the ratings prove it. The Magentis has earned the highest possible safety rating – five stars – for all seating positions in the frontal and side impact crash tests conducted by U.S. authorities.

But safety is only half the story, the base model 2.4-litre four-cylinder Magentis also comes with 16? alloy wheels with 205/60 tyres (and full-sized spare); MP3-compatible CD/radio with steering wheel controls; power door mirrors and windows; cruise control; remote central locking with immobiliser; automatic headlights; and a five-function trip computer.

The Magentis I picked up for the review was the top of the range 2.7-litre V6 (138kW – 247Nm). Priced at $31,490, in addition to the above, it came with full climate control with air quality monitoring system; 8-way powered driver’s seat; full leather interior (steering wheel and shift knob); 17? alloy wheels with 215/50 Michelin tyres (and full-sized spare); front fog lights and dual chrome tailpipes.

If you haven’t got the point already, I’ll just spell it out for you, you get a lot of car for the money when you buy a Magentis. But as I am sure you know, it’s not all about the standard features and safety, you have to love the car you buy, and that means it has to drive well, be comfortable, cheap to maintain, reliable etc…

With ESP turned on, you’d have to do something extraordinary to get the Magentis out of line, although body roll is slightly evident around corners, the Magentis manages to hold on around even the hardest bends, but this is more a byproduct of its technical gadgetry than a well balanced chassis.

The Kia is by no means a driver’s car, push it hard, and it will stop you, it simply cuts power to avoid traction loss. Let’s face it, you are not going to buy this car for enthusiastic driving. For everyday driving, the ESP enabled Magentis will make safe drivers out of even the soccer mums.

If you want to compare it to the competition, the Magentis is on par with the Mazda6 as the best handling car in its class.

Power delivery in the V6 is smooth with a nice and even spread of torque, although I think the 5-speed auto could do a better job of using the 138kW and 247Nm. 0-100 is 9.1 seconds for the V6 auto, while the base model four-cylinder 5-speed manual (119kW – 221Nm) is interestingly, 0.1 of a second faster!

Fuel economy ranges from 8.1L/100km for the four-cylinder manual (8.6L for the auto) to 9.3L/100km for the V6 auto.

The interior is a little lackluster with the use of some relatively cheap looking stuff, the door handles for example, there is no need for plastic chrome door handles, it looks good for about 12 seconds before the tackiness factor sets in. Same goes for the plastic around the gear stick.

On the whole though, the interior feels well made, the steering wheel is comfortable to hold with the controls placed appropriately for easy use, the driver’s instrument cluster definitely gets my vote with a very modern and easy to read display.

The 8-speaker setup in the V6 is not too bad, but the MP3/CD/Tape player fails to inspire, a tape deck? It’s 2007 isn’t it? As for the seats, I have to admit, for me, it was a case of sitting on top of the seat and not inside the seat itself.

The leather is nice, but it’s not very practical if you fall out every time you go around a corner.

The powered driver’s seat is certainly a nice feature, although one has to be a little worried about reliability of the electrics in a few years time.

There is a load of room to store nearly everything. With clever use of space and a massive boot, the Magentis can fit the everyday needs of most growing families.

When it comes to buying time, you have to ask yourself, what are you looking for in a car? Do you care that the Magentis is not the most powerful car in its class? Do you care that it hasn’t won any beauty contests?

More importantly, do you value safety? High levels of standard equipment? Kia’s five-year/130,000kms warranty and excellent value for money? If so, don’t miss out on the Magentis.

Always make up your own mind, but drive the Magentis before you fork out thousands more for an inferior car.

Alborz Fallah

troy

Ok… who at kia finally got ideas??

They are finally starting to put some pretty good packages together.

this thing and the cee’d could help kia go places!!

the magentus has pretty decent economy for a v6, all they need to do now is drop the 180 odd kw 3.8 v6 from the grand carnival into it!!!!
Andrew. M

yeah kia is definately following the footsteps of hyundai, but how come everything out of korea still has to look cheap? the epica is another good example.
just to look at these cars they look cheap like they use generic parts on them
Frugal One

LOL

4 x steering wheel rating!!

Are you on Kias payroll

KIA would be NEGATIVE 4 rating

This and that Induan shitbox ute you guys tested shows you MUST be bent?

They are BOTH crap, reason to buy a 2nd hand Japper

Cheers

F-0
http://www.caradvice.com.au/ alborz

Frugal one, the Kia has a 4 star rating, because, wait for it, its a good car!

You should let your prejudice of Korean cars go, Kia and Hyundai are actually up there these days, this Kia in particular, just look a the standard features!
Martin

haha, very well said Alborz, loved the bit where you said “wait for it, its a good car!”
http://. ROBERTO

I drove a Hyundai Getz for nigh on a week at Cairns in QLD and it was the current model and I thought it was total absolute crap. Previous to this I liked Hyundai. It was not real compliant on road suspension wise, coarse motor, interior plastics rough, rattle behind back seat always, finish on steering wheel terrible (the embossed work that finished near horn was different location on both sides and tackily cheap. This car had bugger all KMS on odometer as well.
Ken D

I bought a 2.4EXL last year in September and it has already travelled 25,000kms without a fault. This is my 4th KIA and it definately is the best in terms of quality etc. Not saying the others are bad, but this is a great improvement over the old Optima. I know several people with KIA’s and not one of them has had problems. I believe alot of the problems you hear about are usually through driver abuse and or neglect. I service my cars by the book and not one has ever gone back for a fault.
I find this car comfortable and a pleasure to drive. The power and economy of the 2.4 is good and the handling is fine. If I want a race car I’d look elsewhere. I wanted a comfortable, well apointed car that was enjoyable to drive and I couldn’t find anything in that price range (At that time) that came close.
Definately can say it’s a great car and do consider it if your looking for a mid size car.
Duck

It is pretty cheap…………………but then again id rather have another car.

And from the side the car looks like a Hyundai Sonata, a bit.
Dan

I test drove the Magentis last night and could not believe how comfortable it is to drive. It was smooth running and great going into corners. Definatley a consideration for purchase.
Steve

Just bought a new 2007 Magentis 2.4 Auto for $21490. Can’t believe the value for money and yes, I’ve had a look at the other ‘competative’ mid size cars and no, none of them offer the same value for money and safety features. I also regularly drive all of the others through my work so I know what they do and don’t offer. So, if you’re out there looking, the deals are there. Good luck.
kev

i’ve recently purchased a magentis 2.4l ex. the paint is dark wine red and in different stages of the day it changes it’s color from a dark brown to deep wine red to black at night. I’ve driven alot of different model cars and think that the magentis hugs the corners better than most others. good fuel economy and more than enough power for overtaking. I found it to be the best value for money car around so if your in the market for a midsize car with all the goods check it out. does anyone know of any bodykits and spoilers for this model car?
Richard

Hi All, Kev, get a genuine pre painted spoiler from your local friendly Kia Dealer!!…I work for a Kia Dealer and I initially did not find the Magentis appealling at all…but I was in the market for a new car and I tried the Magentis…mine is a 2.4 EX Manual…mine has 17 inch rims and I have fitted a spoiler, foglights, and the chrome grille. My central locking actuates from 20km/h up and I have the excellent Michelin tyres. These tyres are expensive at $500 plus a corner but definitely help the car. I do not like the leather and my car has the much more comfortable cloth interior. My car is the same as Kev’s in colour and I must admit I find it an excellent car comparing well with the two Europeans in my stable…and I get lots of comments on how “classy” the car looks…initially I hesitated buying a Kia as I like to drive but I find it excellent achieving over 500km from a tank of juice in the city..I run it on 98 vortex/ultimate…great car…great value…cannot go wrong with a Magentis in the Garage.
rambo

frugal one, your a clown get a life
andy

Hi,
Just picked up a 2007 V6 EX-L for 24,200 on the road with 8000 clicks on the clock. I found the V6 engine not to be as gritty (noisy) as the 4 cylinder, but both were great little cars. I rekon I’m laughing all the way to the bank as Honda and others would charge me $40,000 for this specification on the road and after 4-5 years I would have lost $20,000 in depreciation. With the Kia, I’m going to be just out of warranty in that time.
ABBAS

yes great car for that sort of dollars.what it lacks is outlook plus range of colours.
Donna

I drove a Magentis for a couple of days as a hire car. I was impressed with the comfort of the seat, the power of the engine, the space inside. I reckon they are alright. The airbags all over the place make me feel better about sharing the road with Sydney maniacs that drive to kill or maim.
Tony

I read your review and then test drove a magentis. I have now bought an LX 2.4 for 23990 they gave me 8000 for my 2004 rio so 16000 to change. Really love the careasy and smooth to drive and good on fuel too. Oh and cant go wrong with a free 5 year warranty.

thanks Alborz
Ken D

My 2.4EXL is 2 years old and is about to clock 40,000kms. Still going strong without a problem in the world. Mine has been lowered 2.5″ and it looks good even with the standard 17′s. I get comments all the time on mine and people can’t actually believe its a KIA. I’m looking at replacing the rims with a set of 18′s or possibly 19′s when the factory tyres are gone so that will make it look even better.
It’s a shame people still treat KIA with a negative attitude. The cars are good and are reasonably priced. I definately would reccomend test driving one before buying another mid sized car.
MKGA

I have a friend who bought a silver one of these. When I saw it and noticed the badge I said to him, “That’s not a real car!”

He laughed and invited me to drive it. I could sense he knew something I didn’t and once I drove it I felt like a fool for running it down.

This is a awesome car for it’s class!

He has lowered it, put 19″ black and chrome rims on it with super low profile tyres, put black GT racing stripes on it and it turns heads. KIA no longer deserves the bad rap. You should go to YouTube and watch King drive the Magentis in the desert. He can’t flip it no matter what he does. It handles so well. I own a Lexus and even though I’m used to a lot more power I had to pay about $100000 more.

If you’re looking to buy something that looks great, drives well, doesn’t cost the earth and can be customized to look really formidable – I’d recommend the Magentis.

I’m so sorry KIA for laughing when I first saw the Magentis!
Kamal

Bought LX Premium model in last Apr. I love it the value I got.
Darcy Dunbar

I have a 2006 Magentis V6. It’s simply a great all-round vehicle and a clever balance of all that’s important in a family car. I find it relaxing to drive and a surprisingly good handling vehicle on a twisty road. It’s very roomy, economical (7.5l/100kms in mixed driving), totally reliable, and has all the safety gear and 5-star NHTSA crash rating. It’s parked in the open and still looks as new inside and out.

Overall, I can highly recommend the Magentis. With the newly released Kia Sportage and the upcoming new Magentis/Optima, Kia’s image will get a huge boost!