8 February 2011
Once a brand consumer's approached with trepidation, Kia is growing steadily in New Zealand.
By selling just shy of it's total 2006 sales in the first 10 months of this year, the Korean manufacturer is currently the 10th most popular car brand in the country - two places up from it's result last year.
While Kia's reputation for reliable, competent and inexpensive motoring has been well documented since they first plied their trade here a little over a decade ago, ungainly looks and disappointing materials usually let you know you were driving an inexpensive alternative to more desired market players.
Melding station wagon looks and people mover practicality however, the new Carens makes good on some of Kia's past shortfalls with attractive exterior and interior styling, a strong diesel power train and improved road holding.
Possibly due to the growth and increasing popularity in our market, Kia has secured the Carens ahead of Australia who badge the Carens with the rather lurid 'Rondo' moniker. Additionally we benefit from the preferred diesel power plant the Aussies will miss out on.
Just the one high-spec version is available and while there's arguably room for a slightly lower-spec, sub $40K variant; at $41,990 the available model does deliver a lot of car for the money. Especially considering Kia's drive-away pricing policy that factors in all on-road costs including registration and the first 2000km of road user charges.
Externally, all bases are covered and then some.
17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, fog lamps, heated rear view mirrors, reversing sensors, rain-sensing wipers, fog lights and projector type headlamps all standard equipment.
Inside the roomy interior occupants are treated to Kia's premium-level upholstery finished in black leather and micro-suede, a plenitude of storage cubbies including 10 cup or bottle holders, electrically adjustable and heated front seating, climate control, steering wheel audio/cruise controls, MP3 CD player with aux input and a full compliment of safety devices such as stability control, active headrests, dual front, side and curtain airbags.
The layout is more aesthetically pleasing than in other Kia models too, subtle orange details liven up the typical grey plastics and the contemporary centre stack is well designed and simple to navigate.
The seating feels more like a people mover than a car with the squabs high off the floor; while not ideal from a driving position perspective this makes entry/egress easier for the less mobile and for the most part is comfortable. The third row - despite being better than most - is the only short fall in the space department. For those impromptu over night stays away, the seating offers multiple fold down configurations, and can double as a flat bed if required.
Providing the go is a 2.0 litre variable geometry turbo diesel engine, mated to a four-speed automatic.
There is diesel clatter evident at lower rpm, but at speed the unit is more refined and responds well to driver inputs, thanks to the near lag-less turbo that ensures torque is perpetually at the ready.
With 103kW @ 6000 rpm and 305Nm @ 1800 rpm on tap output is among the best in its class, so there should be ample pulling power when fully loaded. While only four speeds are only on offer from the transmission, driveability isn't marred terribly and Kia claim an average consumption of 7.1 litres/100km.
Chassis dynamics isn't Kia's strongest point and like the Magentis that it shares platforms with, the Carens finds it's limits earlier than European-branded counterparts. This is much less of a negative in a vehicle like the Carens though and it's closer to class benchmarks than the likes of the Magentis sedan. The focus on ride comfort will also be an appreciated feature by the occupants.
There's no sensation your driving a cheaper, but hurried answer to popular class rivals with the Carens, rather it competes against the likes of Volkswagen's Touran or Renault's Scenic on both quality and value for money fronts.
It's a versatile family wagon that could in fact teach the established Euros a trick or two.