Kia road test reports and car reviews

Kia Rio 5 door 2007

Follow up from when I first got it. Now had it since May and I must say we cannot believe how good it has been in the recent snow and ice. Just before Christmas when we had the horrendous snow storms. Took 11 hrs to do 1.5 hr journey, conditions were awful. But this little car was wonderful in the really bad conditions. Just kept on going, seemed to cope better than some four wheel drives, don’t know if it has anything to do with it being the diesel version. The ABS is also brilliant. Can’t praise it enough.

Kia Soul 1.6 CRDi Burner 2009

The question is, does the new Kia Soul conjure up the ’real spirit’ and rhapsodise all those Blues Brothers and Sisters out there? Or is it just a car by any other name? Invoking ’soul’ doesn’t necessarily bequeath it - so, with some trepidation, I put this interesting new Kia to the test. I’m pleased to be able to tell you that it’s a leap away from the mundane; from boring clone-cars; from identikit interiors; from car-as-appliance: it’s a lot of fun thanks to indomitable charm - and in a blithely mundane world, it cuts temptingly across stultifying convention. The first time I saw it I had a moment of empathy that threatened to melt the soles of my shoes. I knew instantly that it was going to irritate cosy sensibilities by its audacious design and would smash conventional frames of reference with its ’hipness’. "What’s that?" squawked a sententious neighbour, stabbing a rigid digit at the distinctive ’tiger-nose’ grille design: a shape which is repeated throughout the car. "It’s..it’s..unusual.They can’t do that!"He continued. But Kia have - and they are certainly not after the approbation of people who buy their pullovers from Marks and Spencers. This distinctive and radical urban ’crossover’ combines the space and flexibility of an SUV with the economy and driveability of a supermini: it defies classification and offers chic non-conformism and the thrill of ’daring to be different’ - a touch of heresy, so to speak. That’s what I liked - and I liked it a lot. Being provocatively different is all very well, but that won’t sustain mediocrity - and Kia’s commitment to quality is reflected by a five year unlimited mileage warranty for the five Soul models, with either a 124bhp1.6 petrol or 126bhp 1.6 diesel, which start from a low £10,500. - Soul1,Soul2,Soul Tempest, Soul Shaker and the flagship diesel Soul Burner tested here.The Soul feels like a car you can trust. Similarly - and at odds with its radical styling - it is also pragmatic and mature. Fashion has not been allowed to subvert useful function. So, sitting in the dock of the local fuel bay, I juiced this little baby up, whacked Sam and Dave on the stereo with its sound sensitive speaker lights that pulsate to the beat, and bellowed out ’Hold on,I’m coming’. Just in case my dreadful singing should lead to me being spotted on CCTV, I made sure that my dark glasses were firmly in place on the bridge of my nose. The first thing to notice is there’s lofty interior space - so a Pork Pie hat wasn’t a problem. Big seats, loads of room, excellent visibility and a wonderful cohesiveness make a Soul an excellent travel accessory. There are few car interiors for which the adjective ’funky’ counts as understatement - this Kia is one. From the moment you sit in it, the word ’humdrum’ is banished forever. All the interior is special.The genius is in the shape. Drop the 60:40 split-folding rear seats and there’s plenty of room for two mountain bikes. Put the seats up and Soul can seat five in comfort. There’s more room than in many larger cars. It’s a comfy and safe environment too. Air con., power windows and six airbags to save your own soul should disaster strike. A sense of integrity and solidity is detectable on the road and the Soul feels like a car you can trust. A singular pleasure is the way everything gels once you’re underway. The engine certainly packs plenty of punch low down, pulls eagerly all the way to the redline and is impressively smooth. It’s a rewarding car to drive briskly and it goes remakably well, hitting 113mph - should you be so bold - and if you cruise at motorway speeds it’s surprisingly quiet, due in part to the aerodynamic efficiency that would be a credit to Boeing. It even has grooved door mirrors which incorporate ’active vortex generators’. Meanwhile you’ll be getting an overall fuel consumption of nearly 55mpg. As for handling and ride, you have a chassis that both flatters your driving and engages your interest with its responsiveness as you tackle tricky bends. All I needed to make my time with the Soul Burner totally complete was, I thought,to catch site of the local Italian restaurateur standing in his doorway singing ’O Sole Mio’ at the top of his voice: I was well into the groove and dancing down the street in high spirits - invigorated by the peppy gusto of this endearing car.

Kia Sorento 3.5 v6 petrol 2004

We`ve had Mercedes,BMW.Volvo etc., etc. Our Kia wipes the floor with them all. My dad laughed at this far eastern VAN WITH WINDOWS.....guess what? He`s now got one. He thought he was a Jag/BMW man but loves his Sorento. No wonder our car industry has had it. We need to look hard & long at manufacturers like Hyundai/Kia. The Sorento is the only car my wife & I would have again. Try one!!

Kia Rio 2009

I bought a my Rio black 6 months ago. A nice car to drive on the motorway nice looking too. Good on fuel, however, does have a few problems such as when it rains some water drips on to a vacuum pump, which collects water under the bonnet, the rear light clusters seem to steam up when damp and last starting to get a bit of wind noise on this drivers back window. These are only small problems at least so still a nice car for the price.

Kia Ceed 2009

I’ve owned the car from new and so far had two faults: The car sometimes cuts out when stopped. I have tried to pull off only for the engine to cut out on numerous occasions. (Yes I am an experienced driver.) It was frosty one morning and the driver’s door would not open, even after driving 15 miles. It opened eventually. I took the car back to manufacturers but they can’t find any problems yet. Very frustrating for a new car

Responses to this review
I have one of the problems with my car; the driver's door will not open in cold weather. It seems the locking mechanism inside the door freezes and the door will not unlock. Yesterday it took 1.5hours to unlock through a combination of de-icer, hot air and swearwords. According to our dealer, they have exactly the same problem with the cars on their forecourt. This is extremely annoying for a brand new (less than two months old) car - Michael from Yorkshire

There appears to be a definite problem with the central locking mechanism freezing up at when the temperature only dips below freezing by a couple of degrees. From my dealings with Kia so far, they don't appear to see this as a problem but as 'normal'. I would suggest that Kia should get this faulty part rectified and issue a recall. The more people that complain to them, the better - Dave Rooney from Lancashire

Hi Steve, I purchased my Kia ce’ed SR7 1.4 in June and up until the cold spell I have been singing its praises to anyone that would listen. Now I am having trouble getting into my car because the doors are frozen solid. We did manage to get the front passenger door open, I had to climb over into the driver’s seat. But when we got to our destination neither myself nor my hubby could open our doors. He had to climb in the back and get out that way. His door then opened from the outside but mine was still shut solid. I rang the main office to complain as surely this must be a fault and its dangerous only to be told next time to call out Kia assist or take it to your nearsest Kia dealership which is about 40 miles away. I hope someone out there from Kia is reading this because I won’t be recommending one of there cars until I get some answers - Jane Roberts from Northamptonshire

Kia Ceed 1.4 SR 2009

I’ve owned the car for 7 months. I’m very impressed all round. The doors shut with a solid thunk, it’s well built. It has plenty of space and is the interior is well designed and comfortable. The sound system is fine and I particularly like the USB connection, enabling you to have access to several albums on a standard memory stick. The engine is very quiet and revs smoothly. It may be only be a 1.4 but you can make quick progress, though mpg suffers. I can get approaching 50 mpg on a long run if I drive gently. What I particularly like about the engine is its flexibility, enabling you to drive it happily and economically in top gear in a 30 mph zone. To sum up, a good looking medium hatchback which is very well equipped, handles really well and of course has that reassuring 7 year warranty. It’s a pity that servicing costs at Kia garages seem to be rather high on a car which was so keenly priced.

Kia Rio CRDi 2009

A great little car for the money. I get an average of 60mpg, and the car is nippy around town with good acceleration. It is easy to drive, save for the gearbox being a little notchy at times. The stereo is pefectly adequate. The interior is comfortable, and the whole car seems well put together and well equipped. My only real gripes are that it can be difficult getting reverse at times, and the switches for the fog lights could be better located. Who cares about badge snobbery? This is an unpretentious little car that does what it says, and is very satisfying to own.

Kia Sportage XS 2008

I can’t fault it. After 8000 miles there are no issues and no rattles. It has a good spec, inspires confidence in the worst of weather conditions and an unbelievable price.

Kia Rio 1.5 CRDi Ice 2008

Bought this in March of 2008 from new and I do alot of driving with it for my work purposes. At present nearly 2 years on I’m still getting a average of 60 mile to the gallon. For the money you pay for these models, it is value for money. As one other reviewer said because of the heavy diesel engine it is a bit sore on front tyres. Replaced front ones but rear are like new only lost 1mm in 2 years- that is good.

Kia Ceed pro ceed xr7 2009

Excellent so far. Very reliable, lovely quiet smooth 1.4 engine, quite lively and economical - 43 mpg Ride - slightly harsh. Best looker in its class.

Kia Sportage 2008

No review submitted.

Kia Rio 1.4 3 2009

Just bought this in June. Lovely car but poor mileage. I am only getting around 28-30 miles per gallon overall driving town and motorway.

Kia Shuma 2000

No review submitted

Kia Ceed SW 2007

I’m a driving instructor. My Ceed has done nearly 60,000 miles. I’ve owned several cars with my job, changing them every 2 to 3 years. Some I’ve got rid off after 6 months because they were terrible - I spent more time trying to get them fixed by incompetent customer service staff and dealerships. I lost thousands in down time but the Kia is the only car that’s never broken down. The customer service is excellent and the 7 year warranty... what can I say? It still drives as good as the day I bought it. My next car will be the newly launched Ceed.

Kia Rio 1.4 CHILL 2009

Bought my Rio Chill in June 09. Not the quietest engine in lower gears, but ok when in upper gears. With all the extras included in the chill, i.e. power steering, alloys, front fogs etc, for £6,555 (with scrappage allowance). It is a good value for money car. One point for me personally was my car arrived with a small dent on the bonnet and i had to continually contact the agent to get it repaired. They did the repair eventually and made a first class job but they used a subcontractor to do the work.

Kia Carens 2008

I am really satisfied with it, a very quiet engine, good air conditioning and a great sound system. I slept in my car while on a trip, this could provide savings for those who travel a lot.

Kia Sorento XT Auto Diesel 2007

Initially I was pleased with the overall value. Quality is very good as is standard equipment. Sadly the ride doesn’t come up to my expectations. On poor road surfaces and twisty B roads the suspension seems poorly damped. There is a lot of pitching and pattering of the wheels. On cart tracks it was horrendous. Perhaps a longer wheelbase or tuned suspension is needed. Overall quite pleased but had to sell because of the ride. I did mention it to the Kia Dealer but was told it was normal. Apart from that I guess it would be ideal for a caravan owner.

Kia Rio 1.4 base 2009

Bought the little Rio new in April for under 6 grand. Have done almost 10,000 miles now and I’m pleased with it. It’s perfectly adequate in everything it does and is comfortable and quiet. No faults to date. Only grumbles are that the ride is crashy at low speeds, it’s not as economical as it’s rivals and the interior is flimsy. However for 6 grand...

Kia Rio crdi 2008

I have had my Rio for little over a year and have travelled 37,000+ trouble free miles. Overall I get 50 miles per gallon driving fairly hard. I have had 55 miles per gallon but I really had to work hard to get it. A few very small issues I have :- 1 Massive blind spot from door pillar which I have overcome by convex mirror addition to side mirrors 2 Suspension a bit hard on country roads. Most of mine are motorway so no big deal. 3 Instrument panel is a bit too dark for me. The older models have a silver section. I always drive on side lights which switch off automatically when you open the door to get out. 4 Replaced the front tyres at 20,000 miles but I do drive fairly hard as I said earlier. 5 Have difficulty finding it in car parks as it looks like every other small hatchback (is that a plus point? maybe it is) 6 Reverse isnt the easiest gear to get. Apart from those points, what more can anyone want from a small cheap hatchback with £35 road tax and cheap insurance.

Kia Rio 1.4 chill 2009

I purchased this car through the scrappage scheme in June 2009. Scrapping my Punto. The Rio is a value for money car which ticks all the boxes for me. Do not belive all Clarkson writes!

Responses to this review
Glad I read your report, what does Clarkson want for such a small amount of money for a new car? Not got mine yet but I am ordering one before the vat goes up. I am also scrapping my Punto! I can’t wait to get rid of it as it is an old punto I have spent a lot on it. Thanks for your review - Sybil Fox from Cheshire

Kia Rio diesel 2007

Read all these reports before purchasing diesel 2007 2nd hand. And I love it. Is everything you all said it would be. Easy to drive, if you need speed put your foot down and it kicks in. Great economical budget car for the non badge concious driver.

Kia Carens LX 2004

I bought my diesel 2 litre automatic Carens new in March 2004. It has 39,900 miles on the clock and has an overall fuel consumption of 35 mpg. That is one of the few disappointments I have. It has been very comfortable and reliable. Looking at trading in prices it is considered to be worth only a fraction of the original price, but I rate it much more highly and would certainly consider it to be a very good second hand buy for anyone giving it consideration. I am not too happy with the dealership which is a multi agency company with big flashy showrooms but poor service to existing customers (certainly Kia customers) but that does not detract from the qualities of the car. Fortunately I have had little need other than annual MOT’s and servicing, . I like the basic but practical dials and controls (apart from the rear wiper switch which is a bit beyond reach.) The gearbox has been faultless and its function has been close to perfect. Many road reports criticise the amount of plastic in the cockpit but to me that is not a problem. I carry a lot of passengers to hospital appointments and have had a lot of praise of the comfort and the ride they have had - I don’t remember having had any bad remarks. The seats are much higher than most cars and getting in and out is quite simple. I think Kia name has had a lot of prejudice against it but to me the range and quality of cars is something that is not widely appreciated. But if you drive one you can soon become convinced and my experience is that most Kia owners are very satisfied with their choice.

Kia Sportage 2008

After one year of ownership and 7300 mile since new the two rear tyres show excessive wear. According to Parks of Hamilton, my main dealer they have checked the suspension, tracking, balance, and 4 wheel drive and all are in order. The tyres have never been over inflated . Has any one experienced this problem or know what the problem can be?

Responses to this review
My dielsel sportage was bought new 09, it completly ruined its back tyres at 11k miles. The front ones are hardly worn, bearing in mind that its 4wd smart system uses mainly its front wheels and I don’t go off road or drive furiously. It also jumps slightly when accelerating or coming to a stop. Its fuel consumption is poor i.e 31-34 mpg and the back axle now has developed a pleasant whine. My two local Kia main dealers did not know positively which were the principle drive wheels, i had to request this info from kia customer services. They did, however, adjust its rear wheel tracking at a high cost, which I paid for. All in all it’s a nice car and has many good features. The car is now booked in at the dealers where I bought it, but it is some distance away - George Simpson from Yorkshire

Kia Ceed 1.6 D VGT 2009

It is incredible... I also fell in love with my c’eed 90 HP manual version I’ll recommend it to everybody who wants quality, economy and performance.

Kia Sportage XS 2006

Can’t fault this car, I smile when I drive it, lots of room and plenty of extras in the XS version. Lots of room for a family of 4 and dog and handles well on the town roads. I have the 2 litre petrol version and seems OK on MPG - about 35. Nice to drive and nice to look at with a nice price tag.

Kia Rio 1.4 Petrol Rio2 2009

Like others, I was quite reserved with my views around Kia. Then came the Government Scrappage Scheme and a serious look into buying a new car. We saw the ads for the Picanto and Rio, really cheap, and the wife persuaded us to go look. We test drove a Rio2, and I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. Was this car really only £6200 OTR with our old banger as scrappage (£2000)? Electric windows, air con, alloys, central locking?? A ride much better and more powerful than the Corsa we were trading in! Much more room all round too, looks Focus sized. My only reservation was... what do I tell the lads in work! Bear in mind I am 40 and should it matter at my age? But when I told them, I was heartened by so many others say they were looking at the Kia’s as a viable alternative to the much pricier Ford’s and Peugeot’s; and "can i have a look inside". I simply cannot fault this car, the price, the build quality, the equipment as standard, and of course the famed Kia warranty. If you are on a budget like we were, why buy second hand when you have a brand new car at this price.

Responses to this review

Thanks you for your detailed review Mark, I am looking at buying the Spec Ed Strike and am thinking it is a great car for the price, especially compared to the Corsa’s, C3’s etc.. I am hoping to put the deposit down tonight! - George England from Cheshire

Kia Rio 1300 cc 2003

I have a 2003 Kia Rio 1300 cc. The road tax is £?170 per year. I think that is to much for an engine that size. What do you think?

Kia Rio 1.4 Chill 2009

Just read other reports and agree what a great little value car a Rio is. A lot of so called road tests are very biased against Kia - most people can’t afford the expensive cars Clarkson crows over so as a Kia owner I would advise anyone to go and make their own mind up you wont be disappointed. The Magentis is a great value for the money car as well second-hand.

Kia Sportage 1994

No review submitted.

Kia Carens CRDi 2.0 LS manual (7 seats).

I did a lot of research on the MPV class and almost turned into a bit of an Anorak in the process. Time and time again I kept coming back to the Carens because I simply couldn’t find anything else to suit our limited budget. It would be unfair to name names but it’s always the same 2 or 3 manufacturers that are most popular choices. I wish car buyers would ditch the ’badge’ snobbery and go for something like a Kia that in my opinion offers the same if not more. Whilst many people are tightening their financial belts and holding off on that purchase, more and more people will soon latch onto the Carens. I may not be fully qualified to review this car as I have only owned it for a few weeks but can safely say that I am loving the Carens as I knew I would. I have found that many of the reviews that I have read are most unfair and unjust. Of course you get what you pay for, but I honestly don’t think this is the case with the Carens. You get a lot of car for your money. Don’t be afraid to consider the LS version with the extra gadgets on board. I bought my 2 year old for £8,500 which is considerably cheaper than most GS models. The ride, handling, economy, space, practicality, looks all score highly for me. One other thing; ’boxy’? ’boring’? - certainly not!

Kia Ceed SW Ceed SW CRDI 2.0 2008

This car has now been with me for a month and apart from the poor PDI carried out by Perry’s of Preston, has performed faultlessly. Tyre pressures were 10PSI over on delivery and the car was filthy inside door shuts and under doors! The drive is firm but very safe and the car is loosening up nicely with marked improvements in the power and fuel mileage, as the engine beds down. It will be a real flyer once run in. The standard "extras" make this car; with climate control, ESP with ABS and brake assist, speed sensitive radio/CD/MP3 player and under-boot floor-storage. Fuel consumption is settling down at 55 mpg and not many BMW 320d’s can beat me away from the lights! All in all a very good car from a company not noted for its innovative vehicles.

Kia Shuma 1.8GLX 2004

Good quality and cheap, the 1.8 GLS averages 38mpg in town, 28mpg whilst towing caravan. It puts a lot of boy racers to shame; 130 mph top speed but quite noisy at cruising speed and too much cold air comes into cab so heater has to be on to keep ambient temp. Air Con is a bonus, so are the leather seats. It tows a 1-ton caravan with ease, holds corners like glue - a very under estimated car. I have spent a bit of money spent on it - k+n filter, janspeed exhaust, turbo, lowering kit. This 1.8 will shift!

Kia Carens gs crdi 2008

Excellent all-round car. Just as good at touring round town as motorway trips to Scotland. However, CHOOSE YOUR DEALER CAREFULLY! the ’cheapest’ discounted deal, may mean naff service; it did in my case.

Kia Picanto lx2 2008

Love this cute little car... great mileage and zippy... very comfortable!

Kia Carens CRDI GS5 2008

Excellent car; good performance, good mpg. Lots of room and well built. However, I WOULD NOT buy from Perry’s again.

Kia Rio 1.6 110 bhp 2006

I wish that this site would work here in Texas! I tried submitting a report but it would not let me. BTW, have a 2006 Rio with the 1.6 110 bhp engine and suspension tweaks.... great little car.

Kia Carens LS 2006

After driving a 1993 Toyota Previa for 8 years and 145000 miles, we bought a 2002 Renault Scenic. The Scenic was too small; used too much petrol and within 2 months we have just bought a 56 Carens LS and it is packed with stuff. 18000 miles 2L diesel Auto for £9500; we test drove numerous cars including the Ford C-Max, Zafira , C4 , Megane Estate, Jeep , Honda CR-V etc... The Carens beats them all in ride, fuel consumption and space inside. I think it looks pretty good in its LS livery. In the USA its called a Rondo and has accessories which are not available in the UK can be bought over the net. We have just experienced a grumbling rattle noise when turning left , but with the remaining 3 and a bit years left on the warranty it’s going in to Kia. The Kia garage we bought it from said that if the warranty did not cover the fault , they would deal with it. Seems like good service so far.

Kia Rio 1.5 CRDi LS 2006

I bought this Rio new Jan 2006, covered now 98,000 miles, so this is a true test. Only one fault at 35,000 miles when a water-pump bearing failed. Serviced on time, no other problems, runs as well today as new. Returns 50 mpg on average. Interior very little signs of wear. Would like a change of model, but cannot find anything better for the money. One last word, in my work I drive many various executive cars, at the end of the day it is a pleasure to return to my Rio.

Kia Pro_Ceed 1.6 diesal pro ceed 2008

Hi, I’m actually from Dublin, ROI. I had been loyal to the Ford Focus for 4 years until I test drove the Kia Pro ceed. Positives: the spec is brilliant, half leather sports seats, aircon, cooler and nice wheels as standard. at the moment in ROI the ceed is holding its value better then the Focus as the market is flooded with them, which means the is actually Kia out there that holds its value very well. in order to comply with the warranty you must service car every 10,000 miles. The torque it chucks out is very impressive, the Kia has more torque then a 1.9tdi Golf, which means its faster then the Golf, Focus, Astra and Corrolla diesels! The styling is great too, take my advice and test drive the Kia, it will change your whole perception of the brand. Negatives: the radio reception is of poor quality, I have to return my car to the dealer this week for a new transmitter (covered by 7 year warranty) in my opinion the dash is a little bit too plastic.

Kia Carens 2.0 GS 7Seater 2008

This is the second Kia Carens I have owned. The new model is by far the best to date. I can truthfully say they represent good value, all round. Roll on the next one...

Kia Carens 2008

Reading some of the reports above makes me think some people don’t know a thing about cars. the Kia Carens is a well built MPV, 5 or 7 seats, good spec, even for the entry S model. The ride is good and steering is positive, very little roll on corners. Interior is very spacious, and gives the feel of a big 4x4. 5 year warranty is a good tempter, which other cars don’t have. A good all round car, I say it beats the Zafira, on comfort and ride. I’d certainly buy another Carens, and I don’t have anything bad to say about it.

Kia Carens 2lite diesel 2006

I’ve had my Kia Carens 2lite diesel for 2 years now. It’s OK but would not buy another Kia. Yes, it was cheap to buy but I know a man who has one for a taxi and its done 230,000 miles - 2004 model; so they cant be all that bad.

Kia Rio 2008

I have had two Kia Rio CRDI now and I think they are excellent. I love the handling and speed. With an excellent 1.5 diesel engine it is perfect. I don’t really like the 1.4 petrol - a bit sluggish i think. If you are think of buying one go for the 1.5 diesel ICE or CHILL. We priced as well.

Kia Shuma Shuma II L 2003

I bought one from my neighbour 2 years ago, with 110,000 miles on the clock because I desperately needed a car quickly. I thought would probably sell it on fairly quickly, but in fact it is so good I am still running it. It is a huge car compared to all the other 1600s I have had but performs quite reasonably given the size. Road holding is excellent and the ride is quite smooth, even on bumpy country roads. Steering is positive with a good feel at both high and low speeds. For a really cheap car it is well equipped - the only thing lacking is aircon, but it has the hottest heater of any car I have owned - brilliant in the winter. The car comes into it’s own as a motorway cruiser - rock steady even at high speeds, and reasonably quiet and very comfortable. Several 3-400 mile drives have left me feeling less tired and achy than any other car I have driven. A great car for such a low price!

Kia Sedona 2008

It’s extremely comfortable and is definately worth getting.

Kia Rio Crdi ICE 2008

Really surprised with this little car, I test drove the petrol version and though it was pretty good, I ordered the diesel version and what a surprise, the engine is a belter, far quicker than the petrol and very quiet, very reliable. I took it to France 3 weeks after buying it and 3,500 miles later it was still as sweet as a nut. Fuel consumption wasn’t as good as expected, but I have been checking the other forums and have found out that it gets better with age. Mine has 8,000 miles on it now and it is using less fuel. Good looking car and definitely stands out. Only one slight complaint, its heavy on the front tyres. I have taken advice on this and have been told to replace them with something like a Michelin tyre and that should stop the problem. Other than that a fine, extremely quick car and I certainly would recommend one to anyone. Bit of advice, don’t read the magazine reviews , just go and drive one, you will not be disappointed.

Kia Rio 1.4 GS 2006

A decent little car. Quiet, nippy enough if you don’t want super performance. I find it a pleasure to drive. It can be a bit `hoppy’ on uneven roads but overall its a nice car to drive. Sharp brakes thanks to all round discs. A decent amount of space, reasonable fuel economy. I would recommend it for anyone who wants a decent car at a low price.

Kia Ceed 1.4 2008

OK!Design and performance are really great!

Kia Ceed SW 2.0 SW CRDI 2008

Brilliant car thats great to drive. It has everything cruise control, climate control, reverse warning system, leather seats etc... etc... etc... and all for 20,000 (I bought this in Spain). In Spain I am getting 66mpg when cruising at 70ish on the motorways. Its so also quite, yet very responsive and has a great sound system with iPod etc... and with a 7 year warranty. You shouldn’t pay any more for a BRILLIANT vehicle. Solid as any Mercedes or Audi.

Kia Sorento Diesel 2008

I have had my car for 1 week, unfortunately it has just cost me 90 green backs to fill the tank from the dealer. Apart for that compared to my previous 56 plate gas guzzling Mitsubishi Shogun Sport and a nice 400 green backs to put it on the road, this looks the part especially with "owners road tax" of 210, and delivers 168 BHP and approx 40 to the gallon, it is looking as though my decision to buy this was a good one, It’s a pity that the car didn’t come with alarm as standard, the load area had been nearer for short people, oh and a bigger glove box, but as this is all, I suggest you get yourselves to a local dealer and take one of the deals Kia are offering at the moment.

Kia Magentis 2.0 GS 5dr 2006

I test drove this car as I was very curious to see if Kia really can offer a ’luxury’ car on a budget. I also test drove a Mazda 6 2.0 TS. There really was no comparison, the Mazda was in a totally different league altogether and although I think the Magentis is actually quite a nice car to drive all you think when you see it is ’cheap’, which when you realise what else is out there for relatively the same price - it’s not.

Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi XE 5dr 2006

We needed a new car that had some off road capability but didn’t need to be able to takle the north face of the Eiger. I’ll admit it’s not the best looking car on the road but it’s decent to drive, has masses of space for three kids, two dogs and all the usual paraphernalia that goes with them. The big bonus with this car is the price, I think Kia have a done a good job to produce a car with a good level of performance and comfort for people on a budget. Not a car that you’ll fall in love with but one that you can rely on.

Responses to this review
I have owned my Sportage nearly 3 years and I agree with all the reports on it EXCEPT fuel consumtion, no matter what I do the best I can achive is 25 mpg. I have been back to the garage several times only to be told that nothing is wrong with it. The garage I deal with is excellent, nothing is to much trouble for them. Iwill buy KIA again but not the sportage - Kevin Westbury from Lincolnshire

Kia Cerato 1.5 CRDi 2006

I’ve had this car for around 2 months. It’s well made (better than my previous VW Polo) and a smooth drive. The engine is quite low-revving and doesn’t like being worked hard. Having said that it pulls well from around 2,000rpm so you never really feel the need to thrash it. Driven with reasonable restraint, but still doing 65-70 on the motorway, it returns 59mpg. The steering can feel a touch over-assisted and the buttons on the stereo are fiddly but otherwise it’s hard to fault. Kia tends to suffer from its old image, but the Cerato is an underrated car. Definitely worth a look secondhand if your budget is tight.

Kia Picanto LX 2005

Just completed 62000 miles in my Picanto and about to Part-ex. Showing signs of mileage now. Parts don’t tend to last long in particular brake pads. Make sure you get the dealer to throw in a spare tyre the foam kit Kia give instead of a spare tyre is useless.

Kia Picanto 1.1 3 5dr 2007

I love my Picanto, it’s such a good car and at a price that doesn’t break the bank! Really affordable to run too. Great nippy little mover and comes with an ipod socket so all mod cons. Loads more space than I expected. Absolutely can’t rave about it enough.

Kia Rio 1.5 GS 2006

I bought this ex-Demonstrator with 1700 miles on the clock almost two years ago. Whilst fuel consumption is marginally disappointing at an average 52mpg over 14,000 miles I am very happy with the car. It both cruises beautifully on Motorways and is nippy in traffic. Whilst I have read reports about heavy front tyre wear (on the insides) I am glad to say that mine has yet to show similar symptons. Wheels were changed around at 7,500 miles per Kia Handbook recommendation, and tyre pressures are checked regularly. Perhaps this has something to do with it! I think that the car offers very good value if you are not a ’badge snob’ and I would happily encourage any prospective Supermini buyer to take a road test in one.

Kia Rio 2006

One of the best cars I have owned. Smooth ride and drives like a much bigger car. Love it.

Kia Shuma 2001

I’ve got one and they are ****

Kia Sorento XE 2006

Once again as a private KIA SORENTO buyer and hard working taxpayer (purchased and “almost” paid for I am glad to say) one of the very few things I like in life is a decent vehicle. KIA (who?) until I decided to get a test drive in one. Quite simply, the best vehicle I have ever had (and continue to have) currently (so much so I have recently purchased a KIA RIO ICE DIESEL as my daily workhorse). Why do I have a KIA SORENTO DIESEL? Is it the style, engine, gearbox, interior, paintwork quality, insurance cost, general design, economy, tow car aptitude, presence, radio system, alloys, bullet proof mechanics, steering, heating, A/C...etc etc etc ?...the answer is all YES. I only wish I had the wherewithal to get the latest 57 version but hey ho maybe one day!! On the down side, NOTHING!!! I cannot fault it after 2 years. OK it’s not done a lot of miles but the mechanics I understand are Merc designed engine, Bosch diesel injection system with Borg Warner transmission; you cannot go wrong. The only down side is the yearly car tax disc cost of £215 (absolute daylight robbery) but that is down solely to Mr Honeybunny (Sorry, I should say our respected Chancellor Mr Darling) and our trusted and respected Mr G.Brown Esq of London. It is just a good honest vehicle for a hard working and long suffering taxpayer individuals who have, perhaps like me, worked everyday since I was 16. (now 50) to get a bit of driving pleasure. Do NOT hesitate if you are thinking of purchasing this vehicle. Shame we, as a once proud Nation, cannot produce such a good vehicle at this quality and price that hard working law abiding people can reasonably afford (for how long I do not know given the extortionate cost of diesel fuel) to run and be proud of!!!

Kia Sorento Rio Ice Diesel CRDi 2007

OK being used to a KIA Sorento, for value for money and a tow car for my hols, I decided to take the plunge again with a new KIA RIO ICE Diesel for my daily work horse...and why not, the Sorento is perfect...what reason the KIA RIO ICE Diesel is not...and what a surprise when I took it for a test drive. The engine is just fab and being nearly 6’4’ the head room is excellent. OK, it’s a pretty basic car but when you add A/C and central locking and a vehicle which can pound the motorway mile after mile hour after hour and still give you 50 plus to the gallon (don’t know where they get the 60) it is good if not fab value for money. Like every car there is a niggly bit or 2 why o why do you have to put the key in the door for central locking and it s not remote, and why o why when you turn it to defrost do you have to switch off the AC. Apart from that buy one....you will not be disappointed. The general value for money is excellent and if you take time you will get a discount from the so called non negotiable price. I did not but my trade in made up the deficit. By the way, the plain white non metallic (as I have) is so clean and the paint finish is quite simply fab. Summary, traffic jams and motorway working within the limits of course you will find it difficult to get less than 50 MPG whatever the conditions and at nearly £5 a gallon that we pay to our friendly and respected Mr Brown you should seriously consider it. Shame this nation has to go elsewhere to get a decent product.

Kia Carens 2005

my carens runs on in gears 2-3-4-5 when i slow down to 26mph it starts to stall then it picks up to a speed of about 32mph as if it went into auto drive i have reported it to kia uk and the kia dealer i had it from they test drove it with me they say its the engine management doing its job giveing power to the engine when its needed i think there is a fault on the management as i have driven a wide range of diesel vehicle in the past and this has never happened before i have spoken to a few kia owners they say theres dont do it i have read a magazine where a another kia owner in selby has had this problem with a serento could someone adise me on my next move thank you r chamberlain

Responses to this review
I have had my Kia Carens from new; it has now completed about 4000 miles. It hesitates a little in 2nd gear at about 2000 revs. KIA ADMIT IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH SOFTWARE AND SAY THEY ARE WORKING ON IT. Otherwise the car runs realy well and returns about 37 to the gallon - Michael Cummings from Lincolnshire

Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi XS 5dr 2006

Cracking 4x4. Makes more expensive competitors look like overpriced posers. This really is the first 4x4 you should look at if you want to pay for a car that never goes wrong and has real off road capability rather than paying through the nose for a badge name and some shiny chrome. Brilliant!

Kia Rio Ice 2007

Having had this car for one month now it ticks all the right boxes, Kia Rio Ice 1.4 in black, transports 4 adults easily with ease, with the price of fuel its is economical and fun to drive and value for money. I would invite others to try this nippy vehicle, basic yes but the stereo system is great drive is fantastic, affordable car for those of us on a budget and practical.

Kia Carens 2003

No review submitted.

Kia Mentor 1.6 GLX 2001

Bought my 2001 Mentor 12 months ago and have had nothing but reliable and comfortable driving in it. Based on the Mazda 323, you get everything the Mazda has to offer without the inflated price tag. This is a really sweet car and I would definately recommend that you take a look at one before you pay extra just for the sake of a badge name. Very, very cheap to run too. Great family car.

Kia Ceed 1.6 D 109 TS2 2007

A worthy contender to the best hatchback crown. Great performance from the 1.6 engine and fantastic fuel economy. Spacious, safe and good value for money.

Kia Carens 2.0 2007

I hired this car when on holiday to help ferry around my extended family. I’d say that it doesn’t do anything very badly but neither does it do anything very well. I’m guessing that it is not an expensive car due to it being very cheap to lease. A respectable MPV but a bit dull.

Kia Picanto 1.1 LX 2007

Bargain price and no compromise! Roomy inside, well equipped with air con, C.D player and electric windows. A good buy.

Kia Picanto 1.1 LS 5dr

Really nicely designed little car. I’m very pleased with it’s performance but have noticed that it’s not as comfortable on the motorway as it is nipping around town. I very rarely do any long journeys so for me it’s not really a problem but may be a consideration for other users. It’s really very good value for money and wonderfully cheap to insure and run.

Kia Ceed

I have my Kia Ceed for 4 months now... it’s even better than it looks...

Kia Cerato 1.6 LX

I’ve had my Cerato for 12 months and have decided to look for a replacement. It’s not that there is anything drastically wrong with it, although the steering can sometimes feel a little vague, it’s cheap to run and it’s quite a comfortable little car but a little uninspiring. Having said all that I wouldn’t have a problem buying a Kia car again.

Kia Magentis 2.0 GS 4dr

Very pleasing saloon car. Lots of space, comfortable and very well equipped. It drives reasonably well, however, there is some body roll, which does mark it down a little. All in all I’m very pleased with the car and can see me owning this for a number of years to come.

Kia Shuma 1.6

I’ve recently had use of my Dad’s Shuma for the past fortnight whilst I try to sort out a replacement for my own car written off in an accident (not my fault - don’t get me started)! This isn’t a bad looking car and the comfort levels are surprising, however, the gear box isn’t much cop and I’ve had to struggled a few times with it. The power of the engine felt surprisingly lacking at times for a 1.6 although the overall drive was quite good. Not a bad car for the money but don’t think it would suit everyone.

Kia Rio 1.5 CRDi LS dr

Kia make brilliant affordable cars, this was bought as a second car for my wife but I do find myself driving it if I’m just nipping out locally as it’s very easy and economical to drive. Okay, it is pretty basic but you get what you pay for and I think it’s excellent value for money.

Kia Ceed 1.4 GS 5dr

I have just ordered my Kia Ceed in arctic white and can’t wait for it to be delivered. Fell in love with it as soon as I sat in it. Brilliant fun to drive and looks great. Really excited!

Kia Sportage Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi XS

This is an awful lot of car the money. I’ve only had my Sportage for two months but I am seriously impressed with the performance and running costs. Having considered Toyota and Nissan as well as Kia I am very pleased with the choice that I’ve made.

Kia Sedona

No review submitted.