1.2 CVVT Hatchback

Nice from outside not so good inside

I have this Kia as a rental car with 20 000km on the clock. The car looks quite nice to the outside but disappoints inside. Bad quality materials, seats that can't be adjusted for any sort of a comfortable position, complicated infotainment system that doesn't seem to follow any sort of GUI logic you'd expect and very noisy and unstable at highway speeds. Engine doesn't pull smooth and makes smooth shifting difficult especially with a cold engine. My second car (1.6 VW Touran) shifts and pulls much better despite being 10 years older already. The KIA is no rocket but requires careful attention at all speeds due to seeming to lack proper directional stability (at least compared to my S-class Mercedes).

I am currently driving this car as a replacement car while I wait for new wheels to my 16-year old Mercedes S500L 4-matic (that my son curbsided nasty). My Mercedes cost less than the KIA, is better equipped, quieter, has more performance and is generally much more comfortable. The Mercedes has massaging, 16 way adjustable and air adjustable heated seats front and back, easy entry with auto-tilting steering and seat, double glazed windows, parking sensors etc. compare that with a Kia that's 15 years newer and costs more... It's like moving back in time 25 years in options.

There's a joke that whenever you get tired to your Mercedes, try another car for a day. That's actually quite true and not a joke, you'll appreciate your car much more after that.

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