Faults:

- 1000 km after periodical maintenance service, the air conditioning stopped performing when driven uphill or downhill (desert temp 46 C deg!!). Service manager statement- Everything is OK

- 2000 km after peridical maintenance service battery had to be exchanged 2000 (was the battery checked for capacity?)

Service Manager statement: Not KIA responsibility.

- Asked 3 times to exchange wipers during periodical maintenance service.

- Maintenance service book disappeared during the service

- Steering wheel vibrating in the range 130 km/hr.

General Comments:

- Called 3 times the service manager, message taken but the call never returned.

- Never experience so bad service in Australia, Asia, Europe or America.

Faults:

Nothing. Even in the 40 - 50 degree heat here in Dubai and taking the car off-road into the sand dunes nothing has gone wrong.

I couldnt afford to handle the 3.5 V6 engine in the Uk as petrol prices would bankrupt me and this is not the most economical of engines. In Europe, the diesel engine would be the better choice financially.

General Comments:

The head rests that tilt make driving very comfortable.

The middle arm rest in the rear passenger seats makes a big difference for adults travelling in the rear.

Bodywork and finish seem to be of very good quality. I have the indigo blue with beige body cladding and this gives the car an expensive almost classy look.

Nice chrome door handles inside and out and chrome edged mirrirs add to the classy look aforementioned.

Excellent standard CD and cassetts player with 8 speakers. No need to upgrade there.

Speed sensitive steering is a huge help when parking in confined spaces. It also makes driving the car feel more luxurious and upmarket.

Very quiet and smooth drive. Twice after filling up with petrol, I have tried to turn on the engine when it is already on, it's so quiet.

The quality of the interior fittings again give that expensive feel and look.

The multimeter in the roof is a nice touch, stating temperature in celcius and farenheit, altitude above sea level and air pressure!!??

The cloth used in bright and makes the car feel bigger even though it is big enough for 5 adults to sit comfortably.

6 air bags, ABS and EBD, steel bar reinforced doors, excellent brakes and good all round vision make this car 'safety features packed.'

I bought this car for 13,000 GBP in Dubai. The equivalent cost in the UK is approximately 23,000 GBP. Go figure??