Ok Kia has gone out... and done something they have never done before. Develop a unique car.

Seriously most of their lineup is a blatant copy of another popular car made by another manufacturer. This new car, is actually uniquely Kia!

It was hard to say how Kia was going to evolve, after the quality nightmare of the pre 2002 Sportage (50% of all Sportage models sold were recalled marking the worst failure of quality ever... even worse than Daewoo).

But then suddenly in less than a 2 year period the quality at Kia did something amazing... it went from worst to best. It was ranked up there with Honda and even over Toyota. To this day they have maintained a high level of quality which has surprised a lot of people.

But their main downfall is the lineup of Pho-looking cars. Everything was a cheap copy.

I think this car marks a new era for Kia, while it isn't the prettiest car... at least it is their own design!

The 140hp version is also under 3000lbs with sport tuned suspension and available with a manual... not too shabby.






I think the styling is not something that I would choose, but I think they are aggressively trying to establishing themselves as a player on the performance market.

The design has some merit though, the larger flat front window will probably appeal to people looking for better visibility. I would expect the seating to be more upright, but more comfy than the Element.

 

/Probably a decent car.
//Lacking in the looks department.

 

i got to see one of these up close in a Kia/Hyundai dealership while i was checking out the Genesis with a friend. it's actually a nice car... who would've figured?.. Kia?.... nice?.. car????

 

For some reason it just doesn't sound or look to promising when paired up with the 'Kia' brand...

 

I've always been scared to buy a Kia because I get so frustrated assembling things at home.

 

KIA: Killed In Action. Like I'm gonna by a car named that!!
In other news, they actually have a pretty cool concept that's production ready and could be on sale in North America by the end of this year. I didn't take the time to host the image, but here's a link:
http://www.auto123.com/ArtImages/968...t-koup-i01.jpg

I would actually like to see this car get produced.

Doug

 

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

 

that bear picture is really funny

 

more like seoul..
looks like a hat or something

 

Yeah but it is unique, for that I give them credit... even if it fails to sell in high numbers they can still stick it on the fridge :)

This is the Civic Si copy, it may looks cool... but because it was sculpted after a Honda.

 

The box theme worked for Scion. Why not Kia? It's not that bad. I have seen worse.

2 cents.

 

I think they're on the right track. Looks fun, functional, fuel efficient. Really glad that they will offer the big motor with the manual. I'm not saying we're replacing the Fit any time soon, but I think Kia has a hit on their hands.

 

Ditto, other car companies take note!

 

I saw one (a European diesel) at a dealership, and I kinda liked it. I couldn't go inside, for it was a preproduction model, but the outside looked neat. Its rather big as well. A lot taller than the Fit, well larger in general, for I don't really care to compare them. But nonetheless a cool effort from Kia.

 

so our kia dealer here got one in n when i first saw it...mini couper, alfa romeo, scion box turtle is all that came to mind . I sorta like it though i think. Maybe try it for a test drive some day soon :)

 

I looked around in one at the auto show and I was actually fairly impressed with it. Not impressed enough to go buy one, but impressed enough that I wouldn't try to sway someone else from having one. Very practical and big inside, distinctive looking, and the interior actually seemed to have quite nice fit and finish.

 

I had a up close look at one today.... it reminds me of a mini-early style Rav4 from the side, but the back is totally weird no matter the angle. One thing that is really weird is the front headlight steps inwards to line up with the fender, very strange styling feature if you ask me.

 

Yeah, I got that.

 

I feel terrible that nobody takes Kia seriously except people who buy cars and don't modify them at all

 

bahahahaahahaa