Category: Kia

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KIA SEDAN SEEKS OUT OPTIMUM ADVANTAGE

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The next generation Kia Optima mid-size family sedan has landed in Australia and was recently given the once-over by motoring media. The result was an unequivocal thumbs-up. All-new Kia Optima comes Down Under in two variants: the Si with the proven 2.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder 138 kW, 241 Nm engine and the GT powered by a new all-aluminium T-GDI 2.0-litre turbocharged motor. Boasting 180 kW and 350 Nm, the latter features a twin-scroll turbocharger and dual continuously variable valve timing technology. Both engines drive the front wheels through Kia’s own… Read more

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KIA RIO 2000 – 2015

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Kia Rio was a relatively slow seller in its class after its July 2000 launch. Sales picked up significantly with the launch of a stylish new shape in September 2011. Quite a few of these later models are on the used-car market now and can be picked up at pretty good prices. South Korean made, build quality was so-so on the first generation Rios, but improved significantly in the gen-two cars from August 2005. Rio is up with the best in its class from the 2011 third-generation car onwards. The… Read more

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KIA PICANTO FINALLY COMING

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Kia has finally decided to bring its little Picanto to Australia, something it has been considering for the last four years or so. The fact that the so-called micro-car segment is pretty small probably weighed on the decision, but it seems as though the sales success of the Mitsubishi Mirage may have prodded Kia into the decision. Mirage sells almost half of all cars in this class, competing against the Holden Barina Spark, the recently facelifted Nissan Micra and the all-new Suzuki Celerio (nee Suzuki Alto). Adding further interest to… Read more

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KIA CARNIVAL: FASHION AND FUNCTION JOIN HANDS

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The first all-new Kia Carnival in almost 10 years was long overdue when it arrived in Australia early in 2015. But rest assured the intervening decade hasn’t been wasted. Huge strides in body design and engineering have been made globally and the new Kia Carnival people mover has advanced significantly when compared with the old stager it has finally replaced. In fact, there’s one important area in which the big South Korean marques – Kia and its parent company Hyundai – have moved ahead faster than any other car maker…. Read more

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STYLISH NEW KIA SORENTO

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Kia Sorento has gone ultra stylish in its just released third generation. Perhaps not a surprise as Sorrento in Italy has been famed for style for hundreds of years. We aren’t sure why Kia spells its Sorento with just one ‘n’ rather than two as in the Italian original – perhaps to try and stand out from the crowd. As almost a third of vehicles sold in Australia in 2015 will be SUVs the Sorento’s “look at me” style is certainly important. Sorento’s front grille has the now familiar ‘Schreyer’… Read more

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KIA RIO IS WELL-EQUIPPED, CUTE AND AFFORDABLE

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Kia Rio is the smallest model in the Korean carmaker’s Australian range and has been a steady seller over the years, especially following its 2011 styling transformation. The latest version was launched in 2012 and given regular updates, the most recent of which was in January 2015 with some minor styling changes, suspension tweaks and revised variant names. STYLING Working on the “if it ain’t broke…” philosophy changes to the outward appearance of the new Rio are barely noticeable and it remains a neat and attractive little vehicle. For the… Read more

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STYLISH NEW KIA CARNIVAL

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Kia Carnival’s are rare beasts, the just released new model replaces the one introduced almost 10 years ago. In that decade there have been huge forward strides in vehicle platform design and the all-new Carnival benefits in many ways. New Carnival has 75 per cent more rigidity and added interior room, yet hasn’t put on any weight. The body is slightly shorter and lower than before, but sits on a longer wheelbase to stretch the legroom in the cabin. Best of all in the eyes of many is that Carnival… Read more

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KIA PICANTO MICRO-CAR MAY BE COMING DOWNUNDER

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Kia is seriously considering getting into the lowest cost segment of the Australian car market with a cute little five-door hatchback called Picanto. A so-called micro car, Kia Picanto would come to us with a probable price tag of $11,990 to $12,990 plus on-road costs. It would compete with the likes of the Holden Barina Spark, Mitsubishi Mirage and Suzuki Alto (soon to be replaced by a new model called Suzuki Celerio). Picanto has been around for four years on many other markets, but Kia’s chief operating officer, Damien Meredith,… Read more

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EXTRA WARRANTY ADDS TO SPORTAGE’S APPEAL

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The boom in Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) shows no sign of abating. Given that they tick so many boxes for the average buyer, these tall, sensible and practical vehicles look certain to be here for the long haul. Such is the confidence of major carmakers that they are loading up their ranges with up to five 4WD/SUV models in varying sizes, styles and degrees of toughness. Kia was one of the pioneers of the mid-sized soft-road SUVs when it launched the original Sportage way back in 1996. Indeed it was… Read more

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CERATO S PREMIUM SLOTS IN NICELY

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Kia is determined to stay ahead of the pack. The South Korean automobile manufacturer recently set its rivals on their backsides with the most comprehensive warranty around. The seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty is bolstered by a seven-year capped-price service program and seven year roadside assist, Now Kia has taken to its most popular model, the Cerato, to add even more appeal to an already well specified small car. The MY15 Cerato S Premium sits between the S and the Si grades, and comes in four-door sedan or five-door hatch guise…. Read more