Kia's of today - Chuffing nora!
Discussion
I normally rely on our current 12 year old hatchback snotter for our family duties which is great for just plodding about but I dont like using it with the little lad in for the monthly 300 mile trek 'oop north so I decided to hire a car the weekend.
I decided to hire a Ford Focus from Avis. £54 for 3 days - bargain.
Anyway I went to pick up the car and said 'is it a Focus or an Astra as it stipulates 'Focus or equivalent'
'Its a Kia sir!'
'What, A friggin' Kia????'
'Sorry that's all we have, or you can upgrade to a Citroen C6 for an extra £10 a day'
To say I was peed off was an understatment and agreed to take this far eastern abomination from a country that supposedly eat animals that normally lay on my rug in front of the fire.
When I first laid eyes on this Kia Ceed and I pressed the fob the mirrors folded outwards, I was impressed and It looked pretty sleek sitting there covered in bird poo but I wasn't gonna let fancy mirrors and its pretty looks get in the way of my sterotyping perceptions of a car from South Korea.
I climbed in and again I was taken aback by this car. The thunk of the door reminded me of a premium product from Germany and whilst the cockpit layout wasn't as bang up to date and as stylish as offerings from Ford it was a genuinely nice place to sit.
I picked up the better half and the monkey for our trip up to the frozen north.
Within 10 miles I had changed my perception of the word 'Kia' Gone is the style-less budget box type cars purchased by people purely on the basis they want a new car for the smallest outlay with a piece of mind warranty that Kia introduced to lure people away from better looking and driving european alternatives.
Instead I was driving a well built, roomy and comfortable Focus alternative full of kit. Whilst no one can say this car is quick with just short of 130 bhp the diesel engined 1.6 seemed pretty punchy lower down even if it was a tad course and lacked refinement when revved but it easily cruised at motorway speeds fully loaded up.
Handling was predictable with plenty of grip but the steering for me lacked feel. The steering comes in 3 modes, Comfort, Normal and Sport. Sport to be honest offered nothing apart from artificially firming up the steering yet offered no improvement over 'normal' mode.
The 6 speed box was precise but I wasn't a great fan of the gear knob, Not sure why just not for me.
The kit this car came with was a joy and for someone used to driving 10 year old cars this more than anything was a revelation.
The difference between this far eastern budget hatchback and something like a 12 year old Golf or Focus was light years apart and just shows how far car makers have come and what you get for your cash compared to 10-12 years ago but to get this level of kit on a budget far eastern car is astounding.
The kit included the usual you'd expect with this sort of car, remote central locking, electric mirrors, etc etc but also came with Bluetooth, stop start engine, 6 speed as standard, parking sensors, automatic folding mirrors, Side airbags plus other nifty gizmo's I can't for the life of me remember now.
The cabin is well screwed together and little things like the weighty chrome radio knobs give it a nice touch. Its certainly not a tupperware interior. It's also full and I mean full of cubby holes for you to fill full of crap.
The other thing that stood out was the economy. This car has a genuine 600 mile plus range and I did Brighton to Cheshire on just over a quarter of a tank. Road tax is nil which isn't bad for a 130bhp family hatchback.
To sum up this car up.
Positives:
Well built economical roomy stylish family hatch full of kit.
Negatives:
Steering lacks feel, Engine coarse when pushed, Would be nice with a bit more oomph.
This has completely changed my mind about these Kia budget hatches. Would I have one over a focus, From a drivers point of view probably not, I suspect a Focus or a Golf would drive better but If I wanted a cheap as chips to run spacious comfortable car for ferrying people about and comes with loads of kit then definetly.
Apologies for no pictures but I couldn't be arsed taking any, Just type in Google 'Parkers Kia Ceed 2012' and you can have a butchers.
Anyone else driven a late model Kia, What do you think?
I decided to hire a Ford Focus from Avis. £54 for 3 days - bargain.
Anyway I went to pick up the car and said 'is it a Focus or an Astra as it stipulates 'Focus or equivalent'
'Its a Kia sir!'
'What, A friggin' Kia????'
'Sorry that's all we have, or you can upgrade to a Citroen C6 for an extra £10 a day'
To say I was peed off was an understatment and agreed to take this far eastern abomination from a country that supposedly eat animals that normally lay on my rug in front of the fire.
When I first laid eyes on this Kia Ceed and I pressed the fob the mirrors folded outwards, I was impressed and It looked pretty sleek sitting there covered in bird poo but I wasn't gonna let fancy mirrors and its pretty looks get in the way of my sterotyping perceptions of a car from South Korea.
I climbed in and again I was taken aback by this car. The thunk of the door reminded me of a premium product from Germany and whilst the cockpit layout wasn't as bang up to date and as stylish as offerings from Ford it was a genuinely nice place to sit.
I picked up the better half and the monkey for our trip up to the frozen north.
Within 10 miles I had changed my perception of the word 'Kia' Gone is the style-less budget box type cars purchased by people purely on the basis they want a new car for the smallest outlay with a piece of mind warranty that Kia introduced to lure people away from better looking and driving european alternatives.
Instead I was driving a well built, roomy and comfortable Focus alternative full of kit. Whilst no one can say this car is quick with just short of 130 bhp the diesel engined 1.6 seemed pretty punchy lower down even if it was a tad course and lacked refinement when revved but it easily cruised at motorway speeds fully loaded up.
Handling was predictable with plenty of grip but the steering for me lacked feel. The steering comes in 3 modes, Comfort, Normal and Sport. Sport to be honest offered nothing apart from artificially firming up the steering yet offered no improvement over 'normal' mode.
The 6 speed box was precise but I wasn't a great fan of the gear knob, Not sure why just not for me.
The kit this car came with was a joy and for someone used to driving 10 year old cars this more than anything was a revelation.
The difference between this far eastern budget hatchback and something like a 12 year old Golf or Focus was light years apart and just shows how far car makers have come and what you get for your cash compared to 10-12 years ago but to get this level of kit on a budget far eastern car is astounding.
The kit included the usual you'd expect with this sort of car, remote central locking, electric mirrors, etc etc but also came with Bluetooth, stop start engine, 6 speed as standard, parking sensors, automatic folding mirrors, Side airbags plus other nifty gizmo's I can't for the life of me remember now.
The cabin is well screwed together and little things like the weighty chrome radio knobs give it a nice touch. Its certainly not a tupperware interior. It's also full and I mean full of cubby holes for you to fill full of crap.
The other thing that stood out was the economy. This car has a genuine 600 mile plus range and I did Brighton to Cheshire on just over a quarter of a tank. Road tax is nil which isn't bad for a 130bhp family hatchback.
To sum up this car up.
Positives:
Well built economical roomy stylish family hatch full of kit.
Negatives:
Steering lacks feel, Engine coarse when pushed, Would be nice with a bit more oomph.
This has completely changed my mind about these Kia budget hatches. Would I have one over a focus, From a drivers point of view probably not, I suspect a Focus or a Golf would drive better but If I wanted a cheap as chips to run spacious comfortable car for ferrying people about and comes with loads of kit then definetly.
Apologies for no pictures but I couldn't be arsed taking any, Just type in Google 'Parkers Kia Ceed 2012' and you can have a butchers.
Anyone else driven a late model Kia, What do you think?
I own a 2010 Kia Rio - it's the last of the "bargain basement" cars though so has some quality issues that probably aren't present in the newer cars.
Gearbox popped at 11,000 miles
Number plate light keeps falling out of it's holder (but the previous owner may have damaged it)
Interior creaks and rattles and the driver's seat is pretty worn at 26k miles (but I'm a bit of a fat b
d)
Parts are expensive (even pattern brake discs and pads cost a lot more than they should for a 1.4 shopping trolley)
Servicing is eye watering, probably because of the high parts cost
It goes when I turn the key, most of the time.
Gearbox popped at 11,000 miles
Number plate light keeps falling out of it's holder (but the previous owner may have damaged it)
Interior creaks and rattles and the driver's seat is pretty worn at 26k miles (but I'm a bit of a fat b
d)Parts are expensive (even pattern brake discs and pads cost a lot more than they should for a 1.4 shopping trolley)
Servicing is eye watering, probably because of the high parts cost
It goes when I turn the key, most of the time.
My last hire car was a Kia Ceed but the last generation and a diesel. It was fairly horrid inside and redefined dull but did what it said on the tin.
However, I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Kia because I like the sound of the name - i would never ever have a Hyundai becuase it sounds stupid.
It sounds like they have upped their game and the new ones look good too.
Having said that, I quite liked the new Rio when it came out but I have since gone off the design altogether and I'm not a fan of Hyundai designs either.
I'd certainly try the Kia C'eed as I don't like to pre-judge. I still have quite fond memories of Toyotas in the 70s when people largely reviled them as foreign rubbish.
However, I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Kia because I like the sound of the name - i would never ever have a Hyundai becuase it sounds stupid.
It sounds like they have upped their game and the new ones look good too.
Having said that, I quite liked the new Rio when it came out but I have since gone off the design altogether and I'm not a fan of Hyundai designs either.
I'd certainly try the Kia C'eed as I don't like to pre-judge. I still have quite fond memories of Toyotas in the 70s when people largely reviled them as foreign rubbish.
They are no longer significantly cheaper than the EU boxes but they don't need to be - if people can see past the badge what they will find are vehicles that can compete in pretty much all areas
I had a new Hyundai i10 for a day last week and every bit as good as the competition with an interior quality probably the best in the class
I had a new Hyundai i10 for a day last week and every bit as good as the competition with an interior quality probably the best in the class
Andy665 said:
They are no longer significantly cheaper than the EU boxes but they don't need to be - if people can see past the badge what they will find are vehicles that can compete in pretty much all areas
I had a new Hyundai i10 for a day last week and every bit as good as the competition with an interior quality probably the best in the class
Must admit I was surprised when my mum decided to order a Hyundai i10, but pretty impressed with it. Great little car for running around town in, well finished too with decent spec for the money.I had a new Hyundai i10 for a day last week and every bit as good as the competition with an interior quality probably the best in the class
Toaster Pilot said:
I own a 2010 Kia Rio - it's the last of the "bargain basement" cars though so has some quality issues that probably aren't present in the newer cars.
Gearbox popped at 11,000 miles
Number plate light keeps falling out of it's holder (but the previous owner may have damaged it)
Interior creaks and rattles and the driver's seat is pretty worn at 26k miles (but I'm a bit of a fat bd)
Parts are expensive (even pattern brake discs and pads cost a lot more than they should for a 1.4 shopping trolley)
Servicing is eye watering, probably because of the high parts cost
It goes when I turn the key, most of the time.
You should have a 7 year warranty then - so none of the above should be a problem Gearbox popped at 11,000 miles
Number plate light keeps falling out of it's holder (but the previous owner may have damaged it)
Interior creaks and rattles and the driver's seat is pretty worn at 26k miles (but I'm a bit of a fat b
d)Parts are expensive (even pattern brake discs and pads cost a lot more than they should for a 1.4 shopping trolley)
Servicing is eye watering, probably because of the high parts cost
It goes when I turn the key, most of the time.
Yeah the dealer took a month and two rebuilds to get the gearbox working semi-properly - Kia wouldn't pay for a replacement. They also buggered the steering up somehow and now deny there's anything wrong.
I doubt the little trim niggles are covered but will ask when it's in for another £350 oil change.
I doubt the little trim niggles are covered but will ask when it's in for another £350 oil change.
Toaster Pilot said:
Yeah the dealer took a month and two rebuilds to get the gearbox working properly - Kia wouldn't pay for a replacement.
I doubt the little trim niggles are covered but will ask when it's in for another £350 oil change.
You know you don't have to take it to a main dealer to maintain the warranty? I doubt the little trim niggles are covered but will ask when it's in for another £350 oil change.
kambites said:
You know you don't have to take it to a main dealer to maintain the warranty?
Last service was £300 at a main dealer or £250 at a dodgy "specialist" that used to be a main dealer and lost the franchise and has a really grubby, dodgy looking "showroom" with a bunch of ex rental crap for sale at very high prices. Haven't found anywhere that I'd trust to definitely use OE parts and service it properly where there's actually a saving to be made.Toaster Pilot said:
kambites said:
You know you don't have to take it to a main dealer to maintain the warranty?
Last service was £300 at a main dealer or £250 at a dodgy "specialist" that used to be a main dealer and lost the franchise and has a really grubby, dodgy looking "showroom" with a bunch of ex rental crap for sale at very high prices. Haven't found anywhere that I'd trust to definitely use OE parts and service it properly where there's actually a saving to be made.kambites said:
Toaster Pilot said:
kambites said:
You know you don't have to take it to a main dealer to maintain the warranty?
Last service was £300 at a main dealer or £250 at a dodgy "specialist" that used to be a main dealer and lost the franchise and has a really grubby, dodgy looking "showroom" with a bunch of ex rental crap for sale at very high prices. Haven't found anywhere that I'd trust to definitely use OE parts and service it properly where there's actually a saving to be made.Toaster Pilot said:
So I buy the part(s) from the dealer and then take it to an independent for it's service? Might be able to save a bit but I can't help but think they'd find some reason not to honour a warranty claim if it went bang again.
They'd be in blatant breach of EU law if they did. An oil change should not cost more than £100. Find out who the OE filter suppler is and buy the filter direct from them; buy oil of the right grade from Halfords for 40 quid;... it can't be more than an hour's labour.
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