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Kia Magentis LX

When choosing a new car, it's all too easy to dismiss a model without giving it a fair chance. Take Kia's Magentis - it's still cursed with a dowdy image despite a recent restyle, but now a new 2.0-litre engine has made it even cheaper. The 134bhp unit is available with a five-ratio manual box for £11,995 - the price of a top-flight supermini. But the H-Matic auto bumps the cost up to £13,195.

By Chris Thorp

April 2003

  • Rating:
When choosing a new car, it's all too easy to dismiss a model without giving it a fair chance. Take Kia's Magentis - it's still cursed with a dowdy image despite a recent restyle, but now a new 2.0-litre engine has made it even cheaper. The 134bhp unit is available with a five-ratio manual box for ΂£11,995 - the price of a top-flight supermini. But the H-Matic auto bumps the cost up to ΂£13,195.

The motor lacks low-down torque, yet it's far from peaky and gives swift and relatively refined progress. It does 0-60mph in 11.5 seconds - 2.7 behind the light-footed 2.5-litre - and the top speed is 129mph. Economy of 32.8mpg is reasonable and easily beats the 2.5's 27.4mpg, while company car drivers will benefit from lower CO2 emissions.

This new engine is the pick of the range. It might not be an enthusiast's car, but it's a lot of metal for the money.

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For an alternative review of the latest Kia Magentis visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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FIRST OPINION

    It's no oil painting, but the large Kia saloon's appeal has been extended with this new 2.0-litre petrol engine. The 134bhp unit is up to the task and offers better fuel economy than the V6, along with reduced CO2 emissions. At this price, it's hard to match the space of the Magentis, but the untidy styling and dated interior fabrics will still put buyers off.
 
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