Category Archives: Kia

AWD, electric, Executive, Kia, Motoring, SUV

Kia EV9 flagship a bit of a rockstar

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Kia EV9 ‘GT-Line S’

By Bill McCarthy

Scrappage to showstopper

Kia has undergone a remarkable transformation in a relatively short time, evolving from a budget-friendly brand to a serious contender in the luxury car market with the EV9 flagship. The company’s rise was significantly boosted by the scrappage scheme, in the wake of the financial crash, which helped increase its sales by offering affordable, high-value vehicles with substantial trade-in offers.

This strategy allowed Kia to build a strong reputation for reliability and affordability, particularly with its industry leading seven-year 100k mile warranty.

In recent years, Kia has shifted gears, moving beyond economy cars to compete in the premium segment.

How does it look?

The introduction of its first luxury £65,000-plus vehicle, nearer £80k on this tested model, marked a major milestone, showcasing advanced technology, superior craftsmanship, and high-end performance. 

Kia has successfully expanded its market reach and positive brand recognition – similar the path of Skoda.

The EV9 is a huge car, built on the firm’s Electric Global Modular Platform (e-GMP), and  powered by a huge 99.8 kWh battery.

The overall look is striking (although a bit Marmite to some), with advanced technology, and sustainable materials.

 Design is based on the firm’s ‘Opposites United’ according to Kia, the design philosophy that finds harmony in the contrasting qualities of nature, modernity, and technology. 

Hmm, I didn’t get it either – they’re god at market speak as well.

Sitting on 21-inch alloy wheels, (again Marmite) it also features integrated roof bars and pop-out door handles.

What does it offer

There are three trims, Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S. Air has a single 200bhp motor driving the rear wheels and a maximum range of up to 349 miles (WLTP), while the other two are all-wheel-drive with dual motors delivering an output of 378bhp and a smaller range of 313 miles.

Both are quick off the mark with the AWD models hitting 60 in 5.3 seconds, stunning pace for such a big hunk of metal.

The EV9 supports 800-volt charging, allowing it to recharge from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes.

There is a choice of six or seven seats, six on this model, the middle pair being swivelling ‘captain’s chair’ design instead of the three.

A real people carrier, but also a huge load lugger with easy to operate 60:40 split-fold second row and 50:50 split-fold third-row seats that can fold flat to create huge, van-like carrying capacity with a massive 2,393 litres.

Six USB-C charging ports, two per row, are available for charging devices on the move

A premium interior

The interior is, again, huge, bright and comfortable with two glass sun roofs on this model.

It’s a sustainable, premium cabin with recycled materials and vegan leather and a host of hi-tech kit. The large centre console is practical with sliding door with cupholders and secondary control buttons for auto hold, hill descent, rear cam, self-park buttons, plus wireless charging.

The second row seats are heated/cooled, recline with adjustable armrests with access to USB points and allow one-touch access to the smaller third row seats.

Central are dual 12.3-inch screens, the main screen delivering smartphone connectivity voice control and infotainment through the 14-speaker premium sound system, the second displaying driver information.

Other features include head-up display, wireless charging, fingerprint login. The seven-year free Kia Connect, includes online navigation, real-time traffic updates, parking availability, charging point locations, w and the app allows users to access these functions on their smartphones.

An engaging drive

On the road it is a surprisingly engaging drive. Extremely rapid off the mark, it delivers a smooth driving experience and, considering the weight is around three tons, handles reasonably well with a minimal body roll on bends despite its shape.

The self -levelling suspension soaks up nearly everything for a comfortable ride. While not a serious mud plugger, the Terrain modes of Mud, Snow, Sand adapt to prevailing conditions.

The one-pedal driving feature, adjusted to suit via the steering wheel paddles, also adds to the experience, while also adding charge to the battery

Refinement and safety

It is also a quiet place to be, with high-end sound-deadening insulation and thick glass. Packed with safety kit like a full complement of airbags, traction and stability control, blind spot, cruise control and lane departure technology, 360 degree camera and parking sensors.

The best yet

The EV9 is a bit of a motoring rockstar, already lauded by most of motoring media. It seriously increases Kia’s brand recognition, with an eco-friendly, practical and economical, (despite the  price tag) premium SUV. The standard kit is premium and too much to list here. And there’s still that seven-year, 100k miles warranty if needed.

Factfile

  • Kia EV9 GT-Line S
  • Price: £77,025 
  • Engine: Dual electric motors producing 378bhp , driving all wheels via a single speed automatic  transmission 
  • Max Speed: 124 mph  
  • 0-62 mph: 5.3 seconds  
  • Range: 313 miles (WLTP) 
  • Insurance Group: 45-50  
  • CO2 Emissions: 0 g/km  
  • BiK Rating: 2%  
  • Warranty: 7 years/100,000 miles  

Electric/hybrid, Kia, Motoring, SUV

Kia Sportage

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Stylish fifth generation SUV has much to offer

By Bill McCarthy

I first drove a Sportage way back at the turn of the century on a memorable trip to Boston in America. It was the only hire car left and I was struck by the odd stance, never really having heard of Kia. It was a bit of an ugly duckling, but proved well up for the job in hand.

Nearly 25 years later, the ugly duckling has turned into a more elegant swan as the Kia success story accelerates, with a growing range of models and still offering the market leading seven-year warranty.

The fact that it’s Kia’s best-selling model in the UK, Europe, and globally speaks to its popularity and potential and this fth generation incarnation sees a model purely designed for the European market and features the best of the Korean car maker’s ingenuity.

There is a choice of various powertrains, including petrol, mild hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid,  and the low CO2 emissions are a big plus, as the firm tries to enhance its green credentials.

  • How does it look? It’s a popular car in the UK and while making SUVs good looking is not the easiest task, the Sportage is pretty elegant, with a more sculpted profile that stands out with chrome accents,  what the firm calls it Tiger Nose grille and the availability of different wheel sizes and designs gives customers a choice to match their preferences. It also features18-inch alloys, folding door mirror and smart led light clusters.
  • What about the interior:  The Sportage has a modern, classy interior and is family orientated car, with comfortable, supportive suede seats and good head and legroom. Large glass areas allow plenty of light into the cabin. It has increased luggage capacity and rear seat occupants get 996mm of legroom courtesy of new slimline front seats. Luggage capacity is excellent with the standard 591 litres rising to 1,780 litres with the rear seats folded down.
  • Tech and equipment: Twin 12.3-inch touchscreens which allows drivers to easily switch between the infotainment via, on this mode, the Harmon Kardon sound system,  climate settings controls and features such as navigation. Kia Connect allows connectivity for smartphone compatibility. Comprehensively equipped, it offers , climate control, heated steering wheel, , chromatic mirror, paddle sifted, heated front seats, to mention just a few.
  • Hybrid power: This hybrid model features a 1.6 litre petrol engine paired with a powerful 66.9kW electric motor and a larger 13.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, mated with a six speed auto transmission. It delivers decent pace, hitting 60mph in under eight second, with delivering good economy of shade under 50mpg. The ride is comfortable and the handling what you would expect from this type of vehicle. Competent.
  • Safety is paramount: It has five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and a comprehensive suite of driver assist technologies like lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and as we ever closer to autonomous driving, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Junction Turning which uses camera and radar data to analyse information about other cars, pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road. 
  • The way forward: Offering a range of powertrains, including a clean internal combustion petrol engine, is a smart strategy. It ensures that the Sportage can cater to a wide spectrum of customer preferences, whether they are looking for traditional fuel options or more environmentally friendly choices.

Kia Sportage HEV GT-Line

Price: £35,240

Mechanical: 226bhp, 1,598cc, four-cylinder petrol-electric engine driving and electric motor driving front wheels, via a six-speed automatic transmission

Max Speed: 12 mph

0-62mph: 7.7 seconds

Combined MPG: 49.6

Insurance Group: 24

C02 emissions: 129g/km

BIK rating: 30 per cent

Warranty: Seven year/unlimited miles