Test drive Kia Optima (Magentis) 2006 - 2008 sedan

Magnificent

You will not find the translation of the word Magentis in any dictionary. However, in the Anglo-Russian, possessing a certain eye, you can still find a couple of similar words: one of them means magnificent, the second majestic.




A matter of taste
Meanwhile, it seems to me that this machine is much more fit in another name, under which it is sold on the other side of the ocean: in America, her name sounds much more honest in kia optima. And do not puzzle your head, leading a sting in finding a far -fetched splendor or, moreover, majesty. The optimal sedan is what more?
 

And although the second generation and the Hyundai-Magentis of the sixth (our model is called nf) by and large the same machine cannot be placed in the second generation. The proportions, of course, are exactly the same among brothers, but expressive means were used in the body design. And it seemed to me that Magentis alive looks more interesting than in photographs. And it also thought that he would still be more sympathetic than NF. However, this is a matter of taste here. The main thing is that outwardly the car looks quite modern, although it is not devoid of quotes. With proper imagination, it can be immersed a lot with: for example, in front with the Lexus of the LS series or the Nissan-Theian that has just appeared with us. You can still remember Suzuki-Banen, but I will not do this. Another thing is important: in the design of Magentis number two, you can’t see any continuity with its predecessor. Maybe it is for the better?
 



Portrait of the interior
Kia’s salon also has its own. Especially a torpedo with a central console unfolded to the driver, as in the new Rio, hello, the owner! The racing cockpit, of course, did not work out, but the curtsy towards the man at the wheel is obvious. In general, the Magentis interior exudes one continuous positive: both the materials here are high -quality, pleasant to the touch, and ergonomics at a height. The range of adjustments of the front seats is exhaustive, and the driver's seat also moves vertically with a jack. But attempts to adjust the steering wheel for themselves turned out to be quite fruitless: the departure is not adjusted at all, and the angle of inclination changes into some mockingly funny limits.
 

The steering wheel itself is not bad, even despite the fact that it is inhabited by folk plastic, and not a bourgeois skin. Quite holding.
 

The dashboard of the super-vigs of increased beautifulness on the LED backlight in the dark blooms with bright white scales, decorated with blue gradient rings along which thin red arrows move here, the Korean answer to optitron! It looks, of course, not so rich, but still quite nice. The indicators of the temperature of the coolant and the fuel level in the form of sliders are visual and convincing. But this is all for the driver. The common areas are represented by a classic armored box and a small clothing department with the function of the cup holders in the central tunnel. The glove box, although it is small in itself, will gladly shelter the paper products of A4 format. And here there is a small margin on the central console with a lid on a microlift and a velvet gut.

 
   
The dashboard is not only beautiful, but also informative
 

A more capacious container will easily fit here
 

Sexted enough chairs have good side support


In the basic version of Magentis, which we cordially invited to the test, a cassette radio is listed in the state. Well, what a holobism is like that! Was it really impossible to put a primitive sidox in a solid sedan? However, one-day form factor of the head device allows you to elementarily replace this anachronism with something more topical. And not at all to regret the sound of the standard audio system gives out completely stable.
 



Freedom to passengers!
As a matter of fact, it is stupid, probably, to be the owner of such a rather big car and ride it in splendid loneliness, right? Therefore, we call guests in the assortment! The average human trinity on the back sofa will be located without excessive intimacy in the shoulders and a cunning plexus of impaired limbs. Together at the back to sit completely free without reservation. By the way, a pleasant surprise: glass in the rear doors fall completely.
 

Yes! A couple of words about Popadalov inside. The outer door handles for the natural grip are extremely convenient, but the internal grows are disappointed: made of supple matte plastic, they look blatantly cheap.

 
  
The possibilities of transforming the internal space in Magentis are very limited
 

Together here is very comfortable, but the third will not be superfluous at all
     


Passengers, as you know, are good in that they can always be sent to the destination on the subway, and the rear sofa is decomposed for the benefit of the general cargo. True, the business-class essence of Magentis implies that the transportation of Negabarites is not its main role: the seat does not spread out into the floor and united with the trunk, but only leans back. Well, at least in the proportion, and not all at once. The latches are freed by handles located in the trunk, which, however, does not add convenience to the transformation process: the pens, as I said, in the trunk, and I have to pull from the cabin. In short, uncomfortable. Yes, and there is no hatch for transporting longs in the back.
 

The trunk itself seemed quite spacious, but I was surprised when I read in the description that the luggage compartment volume is far from prohibitive 420 liters. But from the inside there was an emergency handle of opening the cover, which glows in the dark. Gangsters Magentis is clearly not suitable.
 



Hello, let's go!
The simplest CIA modification is equipped with a 2-liter engine and a mechanical box. And, you know, this is a surprisingly good combination! Of course, there is no need to talk about frantic accelerations and violent presses in the back of the chair. However, we must pay tribute to the Koreans, they did not evenly smear horses throughout the speed range, but they noticeably revived the engine, pretty cut off the roots. Therefore, on the bottoms, the motor frankly does not pull, but after four thousand on the tachometer it begins to frolic, pulling a toal large sedan forward. It is clear that the engine does not shine with elasticity with such settings, and therefore, if necessary, it is necessary to accelerate sharply to actively pull the gearbox by the handle. And here it should already be noted that the programs, although they turn on quite clearly, but the moves of the lever seemed too high.
 

Magentis steering is quite accurate, with good zero and quick reactions, but the amplifier here is very diligent. Which, in general, does not spoil the general impression: well, think, eka was an invisible light steering wheel! So, after all, the position of the car obliges ... And the suspension seemed harsh, which is especially noticeable with a leisurely driving. But with the growth of speed, everything returns to normal and the already almost ready complaints about stiffness become completely unfounded.
 

But the sedan holds the road remarkably both in the line and in corners. Despite the fact that the machine does not have some kind of super-unique character (which for the vast majority will be a completely clear good), Magentis quickly drives and knows how to ride. Moreover, he does not require any special driver skills from the driver: according to the sensations, this is a quite ordinary front-wheel drive car with light insufficient rotation. And extremely understandable, pleasantly elastic brakes.
 

It is possible, it was precisely because all of it turned out to be so almost withoutless-positive, not having time to appear on the market, Magentis immediately went up by $ 300. But even for the starting $ 24,290, it is one of the best offers in the class, taking into account its size, equipment and freshness, of course. Anyway, this new kia is a really nice guy. He is really great (inside) and even in his own way, I agree, magnificent. But about the majesty there is a clear overkill. The car is devoid of unnecessary pathos and thereby pleasant. And the name, in general, is beautiful, albeit with a cunning.
    
What is the difference, brother?

Despite the obvious community (the platform on which both are built is called MG), sonata and Magentis are quite seriously different, and not only externally in the cabin. The cars have a different suspension and the length of the wheelbase: in front of the sonata has an independent two-wishes, and Magentis has no less independent McExeson. Kia is so far equipped only by a row 2-liter four with a capacity of 144 liters. p., And in the future, a 2.7-liter V6 about 188 forces is drawn the same power unit that stands under the hood of Sportij and his twin Tussan. Sonata/NF is equipped with a more powerful 4-cylinder engine (2.4 liters, 161 pp) or V6 (3.3 liters, 233 l.) But the latter is not yet available in Russia. As well as a 140-horsepower turbodiesel for Magentis.
 

But most importantly, Hyundai is much more expensive: NF prices start at $ 27,990, while Magentis can be bought for $ 24,290. True, Hyundai is equipped with richer say, he can boast of six airbags in the database. But the same Korean Chevrolet Evanda is already much closer to life for a car with climate control, ABS and antibux, front and lateral pillows are asked from $ 21,990. But the sonata from Taganrog from $ 19,300 looks even more accessible.
 

In addition to manual Magentis, there are two automatic versions. They cost $ 25,790 and $ 26,990, and differ from each other in the presence of 17-inch wheels, climate control, inflatable safety curtains, foglights and something else on the latter for the latter.
 
PER

Excellent ergonomics and quality of interior execution, pleasant appearance
AGAINST

Slurred image
 
Kia Magentis 2.0 M/T

common data


 
Body (number of places/doors)
Sedan (5/4)
 
Equipped mass, kg
1408
 
Length x width x height, mm
4735x1805x1480
 
Base, mm
2720
 
Front/back, mm track
1558/1552
 
Trunk volume, l
420
 
Acceleration time 0100 km/h, with
10.2
 
Speed, km/h
208
 
Fuel consumption, l/100 km
6.2/10.5
 
Fuel tank capacity, l
62
 

Engine


 
Location
Front transversely
 
Design
gasoline, in-line, 4-cylinder
 
Working volume, SMZ
1998
 
Power, L.S. at rpm
144/6000
 
Torque, kgsm at rpm
19.3/4250
 

Chassis


 
Suspension
Independent, spring
 
front
At the racks of McEferson
 
behind
Mollycent
 
Steering
rack type with amplifier
 
Brakes
disk, in front ventilated
 
Tires
205/60 R16
 

Car
from 0.24 $/km
 
 
Kirill Brevdo, photo Gleb Semerenko
 
 

Source: Magazine buy a car [14/2006]