Test drive Kia Optima (Magentis) 2001 - 2003 sedan

Multi -tier twins

Typically, rivals, coinciding with either the class (power), or in price, or according to the general concept, are selected for a comparative test. Two models created on a single platform usually do not fall under the close eye of journalists. But we decided to take a chance ...
Most of our friends, generally well familiar with the models of all manufacturers, with some difficulty taking out the appearance of this couple from the memory of this couple, was surprised to ask: did Kia Magentis and Hyundai Sonata Vwinths? After all, the previous model Kia clarus heiress Mazda 626?.
If you look at the profile, then yes. Absolutely the same openings and door handles, roof, arches, glass, infamitoring. Forms that are well known to us on the fourth sonata of the 98th model year. But it is worth looking at the FAS, as healthy doubts begin to creep, even more aggravating when entering the rear. Miscellaneous everything! Due to these seemingly cosmetic differences in the facade and stern, a completely different appearance is created. Kia has broken, rapid, even sharp features inherent in a brisk, fairly forced car. No similar headlights with a large grille in the middle and back strip of lanterns under America are not tuned in a lyrical way. But Hyundai, on the contrary, impressive and solid. The front headlights a la Mercedes C-class of the latest generation. In general, a finished and harmonious body resembles something painfully familiar. But what? Amazingly new Volga-3111! However, if you look more closely, then Sonata and gas, to the best of designers' abilities, are painted based on elegant-koshachi Yaguar contours. Let Hyundai not as original as Kia, but it looks very respectable. I don’t know how much the photograph conveys real sensations, but this is what Magentis bribes endlessly in, this is color. Do not laugh! Machines of other shades are also pretty, but we have learned from the whole sea of \u200b\u200bmachines one single white mother of pearl BLITHT is no worse than a real pearl (it is for such a kner that the future owner will have to pay additional $ 100). Even Kia stands out pretty, moderately with chrome door handles and moldings. The wheels, with a similar figure, has more exactly one inch 16 vs 15 against Kia. This means that with the same tire profile of 205/60, the minimum Magentis clearance is less than 13 mm. In reality, the Sonata body is above the road even higher than millimeters by 30-40. This is especially clearly visible in the level of thresholds. It seems that Hyundai has a Russian high package of springs and shock absorbers.
Well, stop walking around the bush, it's time to examine the filling. But the salons are just absolutely identical to the obvious borrowing from Sonata IV! With the exception of color. On the chic pearl kia, all the skin and plastic of an orphan light gray shade. According to the picture in the booklet, where the beige salon is presented, you understand that there are more successful options. Hyundai pleased us with black trim, much more stringent than Kia Seryatina, but still somewhat mourning. Good interior or bad? On the one hand, the skin, quite worthy of wood, comfortable planting. On the other, the steering column is not adjusted in depth and the button on the top of the automatic transmission is not very convenient. By the way, the machine gun, as is now accepted, with a stepbronics, that is, with a manual switching function. The review, with the exception of the high trunk zone, is excellent. But here the differences begin. If Kia has a hood is even and smooth, then in Hyundai it has a strict embossed form, which gives distinct overall landmarks in the corners (like Lexus LS 430 or Pajero III). Of the other differences: Magentis in this configuration is equipped with a hatch and a good stereo system, but Sonata V has four eirbeg instead of two and cruise control in any modification. The climatic installations of both machines are absolutely the same.
In this gloomy time of the year, the lighting of both external and internal is important. And here is a clear favorite Hyundai. The frontal xenon light, like an x \u200b\u200b-ray, draws all the nuances of the road, and the spectacular extending high -pressure sprayers help to keep optics. Sonata also has an advantage in the salon: bright lamps in two large shades will easily read even small text. But one bribed one: the larvae of the door of the doors highlights the greenish rim. But perhaps the reason for this concern for the lack of a remote control. But Sonata is not opened with a key, but from the button. Before starting, let's pay attention to the fact that Magentis has a 2.5-liter V6 engine familiar in the former sonata. The new Hyundai has grown the same engine for 200 cubes with an appropriate increase in 10 horses. We get started. Yes, both work quietly. But Kia is striking in some special, unreal noiselessness. Later, in the next two days, we repeatedly bought and tried to revive the almost silently rustling motor. Upper class! Almost none of the competitors reached such heights. By the way, in order to look at this silent miracle, you will have to substitute a support bar under the hood. And Sonata boasts with hydraulic supports that do not require help from the second hand.
In theory, both machines, flooded from one dough, should be similar. But no! The energetic, at first glance, Kia shows a much more representative, limousy character, gently swallowing joints and potholes. And at the same time he does not roll beyond measure. Hyundai, on the contrary, is extremely cruel, even somehow hard. Any irregularities cause a slight shocking of the body and the knock of the front suspension racks. True, the iron suspension eats large pits without signs of breakdown. But in general, the desire to put the springs on the sonata is softer or at least additionally loading for an extra hundred kilograms did not leave us to the end of the dough. As for the general, then, for example, an automatic box in both cars switches very clearly and quickly. The steering wheel, of course, is absolutely cotton, ultra -light. Here, Koreans, unfortunately, do not keep up with the times and until they put hydraulic boards with a progressive characteristic. Therefore, the real position of the control wheels can only be guessed, and a five -year -old child will be able to steer with one little finger. Well, why are these 0.2 liters of Hyundai? Do they give an increase in dynamics? If you ride cars in turn, then, honestly, the difference is not felt. But as soon as we started at the same time on a free highway, the sonata slowly but confidently floated forward of Magentis. In general, both cars are inclined to the steppe, respectable model of driving and do not provoke hooligan tricks.
Now the most subtle question is price. Here Kia hurts a competitor. After all, the machines assembled in Korea subjected partial disassembly and new assembly in Kaliningrad in order to fall under customs benefits. These tricks allow you to reduce the price of the most complete configuration to 23 thousand with a small one. And a little richer equipped and somewhat more powerful Hyundai costs more than 5 thousand dollars more, which, perhaps, too much. But, however, those who want to purchase a car of a well -known brand from us and with a large volume of the engine is enough.
Text Vladimir Smirnov photo Alexander Nozdrin
 
 
How do they look:
Nikita Rozanov
Outside:
The use of a single platform to create various models and even brands is now extremely popular. But it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify this trick, especially since the main efforts of the designers are reduced to ensuring that the appearance of the innovation is fundamentally different from the appearance of the donor. In this case, the remake of Magentis, and the donor, from which, when it was created, the platform was used, Sonata V. The roof, doors and side glasses in cars are the same, and wings, bumper, hood covers and trunk. Lighting technology also differs. Although both cars are purebred Korean, nothing is known about the place of birth of the design. And if the appearance of Sonata is typically Korean, then the appearance of Magentis is clearly adapted to the markets of the old and, especially, the New World. The design is solved in the ART and Science popular style for GMC products (art and science), running out on several Cadillac and serial CTS branded concepts, and this may complicate the recognition of Magentis. The classic sonata Korean, on the contrary, is perfectly identified as Hyundai products. True, if desired, in her style you can see borrowings: the characteristic dual head of the headlights from the new Mercedes S-class and some features of the rear light from Jaguar S-thepe. However, these design features can only raise the popularity of Magentis and Sonata V in the Russian market.

Results:
Kia Magentis, without a doubt, the razor stiffness of plasticity of today today, however, borrowing in design on a dangerous face, beyond which it is not far from the loss of individuality.
Hyundai Sonata V The design is so abundantly flavored, become embarking on previous models, oriental decor that this deprives the perception of the car of novelty.
Inside:
It is pointless to compare the interiors of two cars, since they are absolutely identical. Although, of course, if you play ten differences in finding, it becomes clear that Magentis and Sonata vary a cut of seats and the design of the central part of the steering wheel. In general, the interior design is aircraft. In addition, the wave -like planes of the instrument panel are generously decorated with wide lining under the tree, and decorative inserts in the upholstery of the door panels are frowning with folds of the skin. Everything is according to the business class protocol.

Results:
Kia Magentis is all without undertaking, moderately, qualitatively and in the east, abundantly decorated.
Hyundai Sonata v see Kia Magentis.
 
 

Source: Cars