Autos Reviews

Kia Picanto - Kia Picanto CRDi. The Cee’d is Kia’s headline news this summer, but the manufacturer’s entry-level model has also been tweaked to keep it looking fresh. (more…)

Kia Excee’d - This new Excee’d is a stunning convertible version of the impressive Cee’d family hatchback, which shows that the ambitious Korean car maker has both feet planted firmly on the threshold of international success. (more…)

Kia cee’d CRDi - Back in issue 936, Auto Express gained an exclusive preview of the cee’d five-door, together with the load-lugging estate and Pro_cee’d three-door concept. We were impressed by the space and quality on offer from the newcomer, but can the Kia compete where it matters - on the road? (more…)

Kia Carens 2.0 CRDi GS - There’s no doubt Kia’s designers have done a fine job. The raked windscreen is sleeker than before, and the big grille and high-set foglights look smart. The rear is bold as well, while integrated roof rails are a neat touch. (more…)

Kia Sedona - Plenty of space, lots of kit and great reliability, this MPV is a fine used choice. If there’s a full-sized people carrier that offers better value for money than the Kia Sedona, we have yet to find it! Having beaten its closest rivals in the Auto Express 2006 Used Car Honours, it’s now been our favourite second-hand MPV for three years running, and with good reason. (more…)

Kia Rio - The Kia Rio is famous in the US for a good reason - its 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. On such a cheap car, that’s remarkable - sadly, it was slashed to three years and 60,000 when the car launched in the UK in July 2001. Here the emphasis was on ‘Focus size for Fiesta money’, with a £5,995 list price undercutting the competition. (more…)

Kia Spectra5 - The 2007 Spectra5 is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in one trim only, the SX. Upon introduction, the Spectra5 is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 138-horsepower engine that achieves 25-mpg in the city and 33-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The 2007 Spectra5 is freshened for 2007. (more…)

Kia Rorento Preview - They don’t make cars like they used to. That’s true enough, at least if you ask an old guy with a jones for Detroit iron. Nope. They don’t make cars like they used to – and neither, for that matter, does Kia. And that’s a very good thing, if you’re into buying high value vehicles with loads of content. At the 2006 New York International Auto Show, Kia trotted out their latest upgraded vehicle, and, from the looks of it, the 2007 Kia Sorento will win it’s share of fans. (more…)

Kia Rondo – First Drive: If you have about $20,000 to spend, don’t like compact SUVs and can’t be seen in the minivanish Mazda5, then this Kia might just be what you’re looking for. It’s not a minivan, because its rear doors are hinged. It’s not an SUV, because it doesn’t offer all-wheel drive. Instead it’s a…well…it’s mostly a five-door hatchback with a tall roofline, an optional V6, seating for up to seven, and the ability to haul a lot of stuff for just a little bit of money. Kia calls it a “crossover.” We just call it a wagon, one with a great blend of practicality and value that is hard to beat.

(more…)

Kia Rio5 - When the Kia Rio first debuted, it was advertised as the least expensive new car available. In exchange for the minimal price tag consumers got bland, uninspired styling and laughable handling characteristics. It was the kind of car that cemented the notion, “You get what you pay for.” (more…)