REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Vanilla Ice Cream

You have no other choice but drive a sedan? You’d hate spending too much for a steering and four wheels? Tight budget, eh? Kia may have the option you need: the Magentis, a recent and discrete entry intended to silence those who kept saying that Kia sells nothing but cheap vehicles in North America. Will you be convinced? Was I?

Slowly but surely, Kia dealers have considerably increased their proposed assortment over the past few months. Along with the Sephia and Sportage, you now find the Rio (soon offered in wagon version) and the more recent Magentis. This sedan is derived from the current Hyundai Sonata. Just in case you didn’t know, Hyundai owns Kia.

The Hyundai Sonata is not an ugly car, but it won’t draw crowds either. Will it become more popular under the Kia banner (and dress)? Your guess is as good as mine. During April and May, 741 Magentis were sold in Canada. In comparison, 1,351 Sonatas were sold over the same period. Offered in three trims, basic 2,4 LX with four-cylinder engine ($20,995), 2,5 LX ($25,695) more luxurious, more powerful thanks to its six-cylinder engine and 2,5 SE ($27,695), the Magentis is recognized by its aging lines (namely the front grille) and questionable assembly. As a matter of fact, on one of the two cars we tested, some plastic trims threatened to fall while paint bubbles – a rare thing nowadays – could be seen under the hood.

But at first glance, the Magentis is more impressive than anything Kia has ever introduced so far. Physically, this car seems larger than it actually is. The interior is roomy and functional, and leather seating (more attractive than the standard plush) is offered in option. Access to the four-adult interior is easy. Room for 5? Only for short trips! The driving position is relatively comfortable (but lacks support), the steering wheel is adjustable and the bucket seat features multiple adjustments.

The dashboard is tattooed with an ugly (an understatement!) fake-wood plastic cover, many indicators and gauges (including a gear change indicator) in a well-located and visible instrument panel. Controls are easy to find and use without looking away from the road. The factory-installed air conditioner is located in the middle of the dashboard, just below the audio system (with CD player). There is plenty of storage space, with the glove compartment, a two-bin console, pockets behind seats and in door panels. The trunk lid opens on a modular cargo space (the back seat can be folded for larger loads). Just a few words about nuts and bolts. The Magentis rests on a front-wheel drive platform similar to that of the Hyundai Sonata. Basic configuration means a four-cylinder, 149 hp 2.4-litre engine, while more expensive configurations adopt a 2.5-litre 170 hp V6, which should attract most buyers according to Kia. This engine is offered only with a four-speed semi-automatic transmission (the four-cylinder comes with a traditional automatic). Kia offers anti-skid only on the SE, the most expensive trim. Too bad!

At first, the V6 engine seems to have guts, but it’s all an illusion. After all, it takes nearly 10 seconds (9.9 to be accurate) to reach 100 km/h, which is almost one second more than any of its competitors. Pick-ups follow roughly the same tendency. But the Magentis takes its revenge on fuel consumption (averaging 11,1 L/100 km). The fuel tank can hold 65 liters.

As with many transmissions of this type, shifting gears soon becomes a bore and the lever is quickly parked on "D". In another area, the V6 versions are equipped with 15-inch tires (14-inch for the 4 cylinder), which provides for a smoother ride. What else? The variable assistance power steering seems well calibrated, though on the light side and with no road feeling. Not for driving fanatics! We must say that the suspension’s tuning is soft and does not improve this sedan’s handling. As soon as driving gets aggressive, the Magentis understeers, slides and screeches.

In other words, you’ll find its limits sooner than expected. The braking system (all-wheel disks, but ABS only on the SE) stops the Magentis on a short distance but rapidly overheats, losing much of its efficiency.

In a world of compacts with many flavors, the Magentis is like vanilla ice cream. It may appeal to all those – whom I suspect are in great numbers – who can’t care less for automobiles. Its list of accessories is attractive for the price and if the car ever reveals reliable, you might find it soon in many driveways. But not in mine.

PROS
Price/equipment ratio
Nimbleness
Comfort

CONS
Uneven assembly
Tasteless, colorless road handling
Unproven reliability