SA Roadtests
South Africa
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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.
*To read one of our road tests, just select from the menu on the left.
*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the reports.
The engine: Kia and Hyundai's joint in-house Gamma engine is a four-cylinder, inline DOHC CVVT unit displacing 1 591 cc and developing 91 kW at 6 300 rpm. Maximum torque of 156 Nm is developed at 4 200 rpm. The overseas rumour mill speaks of a new "GDI" version of this engine, earmarked for the 2012 Kia Soul, that develops a nice round 100 kW, so don't say we never tell you anything.
The body: It's the same height and width and on the same wheelbase as the sedan, but 190 mm shorter as a result of reduced rear overhang. Despite this, the luggage volume is 135 litres bigger than that of the four-door at a claimed 550 litres. Unsure whether literage is measured up to the roof or top of seats, we grabbed our trusty steel tape and took some very informal and conservative measurements. Hard goods capacity, up to the tops of the rear seats, came to about 430 litres. The manufacturer's claim would obviously be "soft luggage" measurement, filling every fold and gap, so 550l is probably about right. Another slight difference between sedan and hatchback bodies is that the hatch roofline extends a little further rearward for an additional 20 mm of back seat headroom.
The experience: Listen up, everyone: the days of being slightly apologetic about Korean cars are over. Rand for Rand, dollar for dollar; in power, reliability, build quality, ergonomics and aesthetics; they match and sometimes exceed traditional Japanese and European benchmarks. This Kia goes well, it handles, it's as economical in real life as its competitors and it looks good, inside and out, with fit and finish to match anything in its price category.
Getting down to specifics, the boot is spacious and almost square with a fairly low (20 cm) sill. Loading height is at mid-thigh to this reviewer. A full-sized alloy spare wheel is in the usual place, under the carpet. The hatch lid lifts quite easily, assisted by a pair of gas struts. Rear seatbacks are split 40:60 and the squabs can be lifted and tumbled forward to create an almost flat extended load area with the backrests folded down. There is plenty of knee room and foot space for tall passengers with sufficient, if not excess, headroom. Entry and exit is easy, but storage is limited with only a seatback pocket on the left. Three head restraints and belts and a pair of side curtain airbags look after rear seat passengers' safety.
Front seats are firm and fairly flat but comfortable, with the driver's chair adjustable for height. Bi-textured black cloth looks attractive, fitting in with the generally fairly conservative look of the dash and door panels. A mix of hard and soft plastics, in matt black with almost-charcoal coloured highlights, lends an upmarket look. Entertainment is courtesy of a neat six-speaker RDS radio and CD combo with auxiliary, USB and iPod connectors. The adapter cable is supplied. Eight CDs can fit into the lidded box on the centre console, the glove compartment is of a workable size and shape, there is a sunglass box on the roof lining and storage is provided for bottles and cans in both front door panels.
A pair of map reading lamps supplements the central courtesy light and both makeup mirrors have individually switched illumination. Smokers enjoy the luxury of separate lighter- and 12-volt power sockets. Air conditioning controls use simple rotating dials and both lights and windscreen wipers are fully manual on this basic model.
The numbers:
Price: R186 000
Engine: 1 591 cc DOHC CVVT, inline four
Power: 91 kW at 6300 rpm
Torque: 156 Nm at 4 200 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Zero to 100 km/h: 10,9 seconds
Maximum speed: 190 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: about 7,6 l/100 km
Tank: 52 litres
Warranty: 5 years/100 000 km
Service plan: 4 years/90 000 km
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8