In Korea at Kia: Three not-to-miss new vehicles

When it merged with Hyundai in 1998, Kia had just gone through some very turbulent financial times. What’s more, this manufacturer had specialized mainly in producing vehicles for other companies, and its line was based primarily on models that were more economical than Hyundai’s. But that was then...

Once the two partners solved their common management and solved market problems, the administration set itself the very ambitious goal of becoming one of the most important automobile producers in the world. At the time, the Hyundai-Kia tandem was the 12th ranked manufacturer in the world. In 2009, it was fifth.

But management has greater ambitions still and won’t settle for the status quo. To this end, the Kia brand must present a more homogenous and more dynamic product line. Indeed, despite much effort over the last five years, some models have been less competitive compared to Hyundai vehicles and to the competition in general. But the introduction of three new models should rectify that situation. These three newcomers include a modernized-to-the-max Sportage, a Magentis/Optima, which is truly on par with the best of its category, and a spectacular Credenza that will quickly make you forget the gloomy Amati.

We had the chance to test drive this trio during a visit to the Namyang plant in South Korea. While this test drive consisted of short trips around a dynamic test area on the company property (also featuring an imposing plant with 600,000 units a year capacity), it was still enough to give us a first impression of this trio, which will be imported to Canada in the coming months.

Sportage: New look, new mechanics

This sport utility vehicle was one of the first Kia models to be distributed in Canada, a little more than a decade ago now. It was primitive, had a very rough finish and an engine that was long on strength but short on performance. This model was a holdover from the old company before it merged with Hyundai. A second model that was actually derived from the Hyundai Tucson allowed the Kia brand to offer a more modern and competitive product. In spite of its virtues, the Sportage wasn’t among the best in its category. Its shape was barely modern, the engine was adequate at best, and the handling had lots of room for improvement. However, it featured a very competitive price that went a long way toward making up for its weaknesses.

But since Hyundai unveiled its completely transformed and elegantly shaped Tuscon about six months ago, it’s only natural that its associate would do the same thing with the Sportage.

Despite the dreary weather and driving rain, we still liked this new version’s very dynamic contours. While the Tucson has a certain refined elegance, the Sportage’s shape is somewhat sportier thanks to its tail end, where the larger quarter panel is the most important visual component. In front, the plunging hood overhangs Kia’s new signature front grille, which helps identify the vehicle. As is the current trend, headlights wrap around onto the fenders, while the fog lights are situated at each end of the bumper, sandwiching an air intake that goes straight across the front end.

Among its other visual features are sculpted side sills. The back is quite typical with its rounded hatch, horizontal brake lights and a relatively low bumper. We should note while we’re on the subject that loading height of the baggage hold is relatively high. Moving on to the passenger compartment on this visual tour of the vehicle, the dashboard is equally modern and stands out mainly due to its orange circular digital speedometer in the dead centre of the driver’s field of vision. On the other hand, since they were pre-production vehicles, it’s hard to assess the quality of the plastics, which seemed relatively hard and with a texture that needed tweaking.

A short test jaunt around this enormous test area helped reveal a vehicle that is a lot more soundproofed than it used to be, an improved driving position and a four-cylinder, 2.4-litre engine paired with a six-speed manumatic transmission that shifted quickly and smoothly. The steering could be less assisted, but it’s still above average for this category. Basically, this little test drive seemed promising, and it should be noted that this model will also be sold with another four-cylinder engine, this one a 2.0-litre turbo. A manual transmission will also be available with either engine. It is set to arrive on the market in the fall.

Bring on the Magentis-Optima

For most of us, the Kia Optima is an unknown car. However, you mention that it’s the Magentis, and people know what you’re talking about. Indeed, on the Canadian market, Kia had to identify its mid-size sedan as the Magentis since GM owned the rights to the word Optima to identify an automobile. That’s now a thing of the past, and like everywhere else on the planet, the Canadian market will offer the Kia Optima.

Let’s go back to the Magentis. Despite its anonymous shape, this sedan was nonetheless a good deal because it featured a great deal of equipment, a more than competitive price and it was even possible to order a version powered by a V6 engine. And yet, its outdated design severely hindered sales of this Korean model. It deserved better. But its replacement should be a hit. Indeed, as lacking in punch as the current model’s shape is, so too is the new version impressive. This model brings together all of what Kia has done right with sedans – at first glance you would almost think it was made by a German brand.

Once again, the stylists have used that oh-so-characteristic front grille that is curved upper and lower central sections. It overhangs an air intake whose ends house fog lights. The plunging hood with edges on each side is another visual reference point. Note, as is the current trend, there are vents on the upper part behind each front fender. The tail end is a little less busy than the front, but it’s also very nice, and the alloy wheels go well with the body.

In the passenger compartment, the dashboard includes two main elements. First, the instrument panel features the primary dials, which are separated by an information centre between them. Second, in the middle of the dashboard, a band separates the section for the navigation system from the audio and video controls. On the model that we drove, everything was black and piano lacquer-style coated appliques that is more or less appropriate for a car in this category was used.

On the road, positives include the comfort of the seats, good driving position, quiet ride, performance of the four-cylinder, 2.4-litre engine and the fast and smooth shifting of the manumatic transmission. Conversely, as previously mentioned, the quality of the plastics and the placement of the controls are less impressive. Although this test drive was very limited, the directional stability, absence of body roll when braking and decent steering are also features that promise to help you quickly forget the current Magentis. As with the Sportage, a six-speed manual transmission and a 2.0-litre turbo engine are also offered. It’s expected to arrive on the market for the late fall 2010 or the beginning of 2011.

Good-bye Amanti, hello Cadenza!

There’s no need to say any more about the Amanti. Indeed, this sedan was more luxurious than all other Kia vehicles and had an almost cartoonish shape. When it first arrived on our market, it didn’t have much to offer other than a lot of equipment and a competitive price. But over the years, the mechanical components were replaced, the suspension was modified and the finish was greatly improved. The product was interesting, but its silhouette was scaring off buyers.

This time, we’re starting from scratch with a new platform, a more powerful engine and, of course, a completely redesigned shape. Note that the stylists had no choice since the Amanti was clearly left behind in this department by the competition. During our test drive, some took issue with this newcomer for having a body shape that was too similar to that of the Optima. However, there are a several visual differences. True, the middle part of the front grille is still curved, but it’s less exaggerated and the grille is more understated. Another change to note: the air intake is now central instead of crosswise. Moreover, the headlights are smaller than on the Optima. Basically, the exterior presentation is much more formal and conservative, which is consistent with the target clientele , while the tailend is less tortured than it was on the Optima.

The passenger compartment is a little too plain and definitely lacks visual impact. At first glance, you have the impression of being in a car from a much more modest category. Then again, the seats turned out to be comfortable at least for our brief test drive. As expected for a car in this category, all the usual gadgets are on the menu, and to set this more prestigious sedan apart even more, the engineers opted for a V6, 3.5-litre engine featuring 290 horsepower. Transversally mounted, it’s paired with a six-speed manumatic transmission.

The car isn’t necessarily sporty, but its dynamic qualities are noteworthy, as is the liveliness of the engine. Meanwhile, the automatic transmission is responsive and the gear ratios are well selected.

So, this new Cadenza has undeniable qualities, but it will definitely be criticized for its resemblance to the Optima, which may work against it. People will definitely prefer to pay less for a car that is fairly similar, at least when it comes to the body.

In summary, with this trio of newcomers, Kia is giving itself the means to continue its progress on the American and Canadian markets. The brand now has all the tools to keep pace with its partner Hyundai and to improve its image with the general public. And don’t forget that a Forte with a hybrid engine might be offered at the end of the year. Its hybrid mechanics are very basic, but its competitive price should undoubtedly make up for it. At the very least, it’s a first step into the world of hybrid vehicles for Kia.