2006 Kia Magentis EX L review from Australia and New Zealand

Nothing.

The best kept secret on the Australian market.

The Magentis (Optima in North America) is incredible value for a fully featured, well-built, safe, quiet and comfortable car.

Some of the the safety features, such as ESP/ESC, are not even available as an option on most of its big brand competition.

I keep finding intelligent features that make me think someone really wanted to make life easier, safer and better for the driver and passengers. Examples are the safety release inside the boot, and the sunglasses holder above the rear-view mirror.

The car can be extremely quiet, with lowest level of road noise on many surfaces that I have experienced since the famously quiet Peugeot 404. It's running on the standard Hangkook XQ Optimo tyres on 17" alloys.

Ride is average to good, as is handling. However, the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and Traction Control is very reassuring.

Fuel is amazing, especially on trips. It betters my 4-cyl Volvo. I run it on 98 octane, but it will run happily on 91 octane.

I thought the auto headlights were a gimmick, but they are really useful in practice.

The 15000km service was $288 including synthetic oil, much cheaper than my wife's Honda.

Interior space is incredibly good as is boot space.

Seats are leather and firmly supportive. The electric driver's seat is a great feature.

Bodywork is high tensile steel and the car feels very tight. Paintwork is excellent and the whole car feels as if it is a quality product.

All in all a totally honest car and one that I feel has given me unbeatable value for money.