• Summary

    4 out of 5 4.0

    What does this car say about you?

    OK it is a KIA so I am not going win any awards for having the best car in town, but it is a respectable large family saloon & it is reasonably good to look at. It is a machine to get me 7 my family from A to B and in comfort and it does that well.

    What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

    Most people like the look of the car and seem to take more notice when I tell them about the deal on the car. Most are impressed with the size of the car especially when adults travel in the back.

    Would you buy this car again and why?

    Yes, Good local dealer, a good all round car, 47 mpg, comfortable with great headroom which is one of my main gripes with most saloon cars.

    What are you likely to buy next?

    Nothing planned but maybe a people carrier in a couple of years for my wife.

  • Buying experience

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Type of dealer you bought from?

    Franchise

    Did you buy this car new?

    No

    What price did you pay?

    £6,995

    When did you buy the car?

    March 2009

    Did you get a good deal and why?

    Excellent price - 908 miles on the clock & virtually half the price of a brand new model, the car had been owned by Kia UK and was on static display at their HQ prior to the dealer taking it, hence the low mileage

    Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

    Kia dealership is very close to my home and so is very convenient

    What was the dealer like?

    Service was good, fiendly and the sales manager knew the car and answered any questions that I had. I was even offered to take the car home to try.

  • Driving it

    3 out of 5 3.0

    What's it like to drive?

    Drivers seat adjusts fully so it is easy to get comfortable. Takes most lumps and bumps in its stride. Suspension is on the soft side so there is a little body lean when cornering fast but nothing too major. Steering could be a little more direct and sharper. 2.0CRD has 140 hp which is enough to get you overtaking swiftly. OK its no rocket-ship but it pulls well. The 6th gear is great on the mtorway and means that the car cruises effortlesly with minimal engine noise. A little wind noise does get though around the door seals at high speed.

    What's it like to park?

    Needs parking sensors as standard due to the high boot and large bumper fairing at the rear. Front fairing is quite large too so worth having both

  • Living with it

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Have you had any problems with the car?

    No faults so far - a new battery was fitted at date of purchase as the old one was struggling.

    What's most practical about your car?

    Size - I am 6 feet 3" tall & my 6 foot 4" brother can sit behind me no problem. Also, unlike so many saloon cars these days the headroom is excellent even with the seat at max height. Huge boot too.

    Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

    The dealer replaced the aftermarket stereo with a later one that look like it belongs in the car & sounds great.