Item: Used Kia Magentis Saloon 2001 - 2003
Author: What Car? Team

What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

Saloon

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

MAGENTIS

A low-cost family saloon. Snobs need not apply

Used Kia Magentis Saloon 2001 - 2003

If it was going to break the bank, no one would ever buy a Kia Magentis. This saloon has four main areas of appeal, and its cheap prices are at the top of the list (the others are space, reliability and stacks of kit).

The Magentis is cheap to buy used because it lost value from new at a frankly alarming rate. Now, most models have reached the age where they'll depreciate at roughly the same rate as a mainstream European family saloon (think Ford Mondeo or Peugeot 406), so you shouldn't lose a fortune when you resell it.

The V6 model will be a little dearer to run - group 15 insurance, an official average of 27.4mpg and slightly dearer servicing, whereas the 2.0 comes in at 32.8mpg and in group 14 for insurance. However, the 2.0 is noticeably cheaper to buy, and that will swing it for those on a tight budget.

A low-cost family saloon. Snobs need not apply

The 168bhp 2.5 V6 is the more enjoyable drive - it's a sweet, willing engine with decent performance and fair economy. And, if you're set on a V6, get one with the auto gearbox.

However, the 136bhp 2.0-litre car makes better economic sense. It's a little gentler on fuel, insurance and servicing but, crucially, you can put it on your drive for a lot less cash. It's a reasonable drive, too.

We'd also be happy with basic LX trim, which is anything but basic, really. You get twin front airbags, anti-lock brakes, an alarm, electric power for the four windows and the door mirrors, central locking, CD player and air-con. The posher SE throws in leather trim, climate control, side airbags and traction control.

Kia dealers have good used examples, although they tend to focus more on the later Magentis model (2003 onwards), so check out independent traders for a model of this age.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;

Family

The Magentis is a safe pair of hands. We've heard no reports of common weak spots in the car, so its reputation as a soundly built, mechanically robust piece of kit seems justified.

However, it's important to choose one that comes with a full service history. Tough though it is, the Magentis isn't unbreakable, and it does require servicing every 10,000 miles or once a year.

As well as missed services, be wary of cars that have cheap-brand tyres fitted or bodged repairs to the bodywork or exhaust - all signs that the car has been maintained on a shoestring.

There are plenty of electric gadgets, which can be pricey to fix if they go wrong - especially the air-con - so check they all work properly. Look for signs of hard use in the cabin, too. Some of the fixtures and fittings don't feel as durable as the rest of the car.

It isn't a car for the style-conscious, but that's their loss because, for the money, the Magentis drives pretty well and is as practical as many dearer used saloons.

You're nicely cushioned from most lumps and bumps and the car feels composed in fast sweeping bends. Even quick changes of direction are executed tidily.

The engines are up to the job, too, especially on a steady high-speed cruise, where your only complaint will be the amount of wind noise around the mirrors and side windows.

However, it's not all good news, and the interior controls feel below-par in a cabin that has always looked dated. On the other hand, it's all well equipped, solidly screwed together and reasonably roomy. You can fit two adults comfortably in the back, although three may find it a bit of a squeeze. The boot is large and the rear bench splits and folds.

Used Kia Magentis Saloon 2001 - 2003 review

Best electric cars - our 2022 award winners revealed

Audi A1

BMW 5 series

Citroen C3

Dacia Sandero

Fiat 500

Jeep Wrangler

Peugeot 3008

New car deals >>

site ribbon config

Looking for alternatives to the used Kia Magentis 2001 - 2003? The expert What Car? review team guide you through some great options.

New car deals >>

Used Kia Magentis Saloon 2001 - 2003 review

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Kia Magentis saloon?

What Car? has a buying service

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information