Kia Shuma Feedback
Discussion
I passed this Kia Shuma on the motorway (being driven by an over 70 as normal), I couldn't work out what it was (if anything) based on, Rover 400..not sure. So I Googled it later and found some interesting owner feedback:
http://www.roadtestreports.co.uk/road-test-reports...
Kia Shuma 1.8GLX 2004
Good quality and cheap, the 1.8 GLS averages 38mpg in town, 28mpg whilst towing caravan. It puts a lot of boy racers to shame; 130 mph top speed but quite noisy at cruising speed and too much cold air comes into cab so heater has to be on to keep ambient temp. Air Con is a bonus, so are the leather seats. It tows a 1-ton caravan with ease, holds corners like glue - a very under estimated car. I have spent a bit of money spent on it - k+n filter, janspeed exhaust, turbo, lowering kit. This 1.8 will shift!
http://www.roadtestreports.co.uk/road-test-reports...
Kia Shuma 1.8GLX 2004
Good quality and cheap, the 1.8 GLS averages 38mpg in town, 28mpg whilst towing caravan. It puts a lot of boy racers to shame; 130 mph top speed but quite noisy at cruising speed and too much cold air comes into cab so heater has to be on to keep ambient temp. Air Con is a bonus, so are the leather seats. It tows a 1-ton caravan with ease, holds corners like glue - a very under estimated car. I have spent a bit of money spent on it - k+n filter, janspeed exhaust, turbo, lowering kit. This 1.8 will shift!
I was given the use of a Kia Pride, Kia Mentor, Kia Shuma and then a V6 Kia Magentis over the period of 3 or 4 years.
The good point was that nothing ever went wrong with any of them but the main memory was that they all felt really cheap and plasticy inside and all of them apart from the Magentis rattled and squeeked like hell.
The Pride was always a cheap and cheerful tin can of a car so there was never any disappointment that it felt that way. The Mentor was sort of ok(ish) in a similar cheap and cheerful way. Unfortunately the Shuma was probably the most disappointing since it was the one that seemed to have aspitations of being something better than it really was and so always felt like a bit of a pretender. I quite liked the V6 Magentis in as much as it at least felt like a proper car.
The good point was that nothing ever went wrong with any of them but the main memory was that they all felt really cheap and plasticy inside and all of them apart from the Magentis rattled and squeeked like hell.
The Pride was always a cheap and cheerful tin can of a car so there was never any disappointment that it felt that way. The Mentor was sort of ok(ish) in a similar cheap and cheerful way. Unfortunately the Shuma was probably the most disappointing since it was the one that seemed to have aspitations of being something better than it really was and so always felt like a bit of a pretender. I quite liked the V6 Magentis in as much as it at least felt like a proper car.
The KIAs we have been getting here in the UK are previous generation models, while the rest of the world gets things like this..
The Shuma replacement ie. the KIA Forte.
KIA/Hyundai don't even bother to market their best cars here because they know the UK is full of brand obsessives who will choose a base model 1 series or A1 over a superior product from their stable simply because people want the badge on their driveway. Everyone here is well aware that we are still being sold the Tiburon (aka Hyundai Coupe) while the sane parts of the world get the rear-drive Genesis.
The Shuma replacement ie. the KIA Forte.
KIA/Hyundai don't even bother to market their best cars here because they know the UK is full of brand obsessives who will choose a base model 1 series or A1 over a superior product from their stable simply because people want the badge on their driveway. Everyone here is well aware that we are still being sold the Tiburon (aka Hyundai Coupe) while the sane parts of the world get the rear-drive Genesis.
Edited by r11co on Sunday 2nd January 10:04
jsg612 said:
In all fairness to Kia, I know someone who ran a Mentor for years and it never missed a beat. Cracking value for money, but shamefully rubbish build quality and sheer ugly design. Reliability was second to none for a very competitively priced car.
Would I buy one on this basis? No.
Years ago had a Kia Pride - v nippy , fantastically roomy - and superbly built.Would I buy one on this basis? No.
Rather be seen in a Shuma than the clown Fiat Multipla.
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