Test Drive Kia Optima (Magentis) 2003 - 2006 Sedan
Moderation in me
Product Facial
It has long been known: so that the buyer does not lose interest in the model, it needs to be constantly lured with something new to keep in a tone. For this purpose, all means are good new body or extended gamma motors, an updated interior or light restyling. In full compliance with this principle, a long-familiar readers of Kia Madzhentis, produced in Kaliningrad, last year acquired new optics. In principle in the car, nothing has changed, it still bribes the ratio of the price and everything also complies with the unlawful rules for business class cars. Reasonably strict appearance, notable finish and sufficient set of amenities in standard equipment.
The car is offered with a sedan body and equip one of the two gasoline engines in a row four-cylinder 2.0 l, 100 kW / 136 liters. with. or V6 2.5 l, 124 kW / 168 liters. with. The gearboxes for the choice are mechanical or automatic with the possibility of manual switching.
The price of Majentis ranges from $ 18,700 to 23,550 *, but there are opportunities for savings. If you make a prepayment and month to wait, the purchase will cost cheaper on one and a half thousand (dollars, of course).
The minimal package includes ABS and TCS (Traction Control System), driver and passenger airbags, electric machinery and glasses of all doors, climate control, telescopic antenna, leather steering wheel and gear lever, heated mirrors. In the maximum powerful motor and automatic transmission, side airbags are included, a hatch in the roof, a driver's seat electric drive, a two-storey radio tape recorder (2 DIN) with a cassette and CD receiver, a course stability control system, an electric power steering instead of hydraulic, light alloy wheels .
Our Magentis costs $ 20,350, equipped with a 2.5 liter motor and a manual transmission.
Outside and inside
Tree inside and chrome outside the usual attributes of machines applying for respectability. In the representative auto tree, the tree is often natural, but in the business class, to which Madzhentis belongs, mostly have to see plastic inserts. Here they can touch: very similar to the real tree. Good velor and some skin, armrests with built-in cup holders and non-fasteners, finally, the spacious rear sofa seek to relax and seat someone else.
And the fact that there is no separate climate control, servos or a dozen speakers in Madzhentis for rear passengers, only reminds: in business class, as in any other, there is its own initial level. It is him that you offer. But let's finally move to the driver's seat.
The pedal node is spacious, with a large platform for the left leg, but, run ahead, we note that there are complaints to his work. For example, the inclusion of the clutch seemed flawed. And in general, if you compare the car with more eminent and expensive classmates, to make face to have something. Let's say, covered with smooth skin, the steering wheel is overly slippery, and the gear shift lever is too moved to the right and back. However, in the latter circumstance you can find a plus handle will not be contacted with the right thigh even a very large driver.
Rather, her touch will feel the passenger. By the way, if the conversation went about the owners of large clothes: Madzhentis, many are associated with budget calls or a kind of service car for the large chief of a small company. But it will certainly be supervised as a personal transport to everyone who is closely in the CD-class cars. The owner will be able to evaluate not only an impressive salon, but also a huge trunk, which is unlikely to be needed by the owner of official Kia.
Climate installation manages several buttons. They also have to get used to their placement. There are no complaints in the rest of the interior items. Cigarette lighter with ashtray, cup holders and even a small niche for small things closed with their covers. Between the antickery visors there is a glasses case.
How robes
A powerful 2.5-liter engine of well-wives such a car is not in order to seal horses on each traffic light. The respected man goes the powerively, mainly holding the tachometer arrow in the middle zone or slightly lower. Need overclocking? Just add gas.
For a solid car, there are not as many horses as the convenient characteristic of the torque. Here, however, engineers still have something to work on. While the Madzhentis tachometer arrow is in the range of 15003000 rpm, its V-shaped six is \u200b\u200bmodest. But it is necessary to get to the mark of 3500, because of you as if someone starts to pull the chair and now another arrow rapidly moves the risks of the speedometer. In general, it is up to the mark of 3500 rpm and after it seems to be two different in the nature of the engine. Car suspension is configured to a comfortable ride. All the trifle under the wheels swallows not chopping, does not ignore on long waves, but short does not like, reacting to them with a longitudinal star.
Good visibility and despite the size, maneuverability create an effect of easy control in the city. It pleases the machine and on a more or less smooth country highway, if you do not try to overtake the aircraft flying over you. With a reasonably selected speed behind the wheel of Madzhentis, you will relax, but when it is passioned by a unkind word to remember the roads. In general, it is better to humble your fervor.
After all, moderation is one of the main features of your car.
Changed optics The main difference between the updated Madzhentis.
The interior is sufficiently strict, as is the business class machine.
Scale of devices are concise and rosary.
Arrange more comfortable.
With the radio will be even richer.
Two in the rear sofa is very good, but you can sit down and threesome.
Alexander Budkin. Photo: Konstantin Yakubov
A source: Journal "Behind the wheel"
