Both the 2.0-litre diesel and 2.0-litre petrol engines are competitive on fuel consumption with averages of 37mpg and 47mpg respectively. The 2.7-litre V6 is best avoided unless you only intend to cover a low number of miles per year. Servicing costs should be low, but group 13 insurance is high for this class (2.7 V6 is in group 15) and unlike other Kia’s, the Magentis originally only had a three-year warranty as standard.

However, models from January 2010 have a seven-year warranty.

The Magentis performs respectably on the eco front and it’s not surprising that the diesel is the best engine for economy. It returns a useful 47mpg while emitting 162g/km of CO2. The newer CRDi, introduced when the Magentis was revised in 2009, emits 158g/km of CO2 (making it cheaper to tax) while returning the same 47mpg.

Kia has a good reputation for reliability and the Magentis should be no different. We’ve heard of no major problems, either mechanical or electrical, but unlike most other Kia models (which have five or seven-year warranties) the Magentis originally only had three years cover – although it isn’t limited by mileage constraints. This was changed in January 2010 though, whtn a seven-year warranty was introduced on all Kia models.