A principle, in fact, that led to my derriere being firmly planted upon a heated leather seat that was perfectly adjusted to match my musculoskeletal symmetry. As my butt enjoyed the warmth gently emanating from the supportive seat cushion, my right hand fell upon
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| Kia paid close attention to the selection of materials used in the cabin of the Magentis. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
a substantial-feeling shift knob. Positioned in the console, the shift lever is set within the confines of a great-looking shift plate trimmed with a chrome bezel. When in the Drive setting, the shifter could easily be bumped into the manual-mode enabling driver-dictated shifting. I was impressed to see this feature, which not long ago was exclusive to premium vehicles, in a "vanilla" offering such as the Magentis.My tester's not-so-vanilla interior was finished in a muted blue/gray hue that belied its commoner roots. There is little doubt in my mind that Kia paid close attention to the selection of materials finishing the cabin. And so they should, given the startling increase in interior quality that has taken hold in the entry and mid-level segments in the past few years. Cheesy finishes and slipshod
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| Considering the price of the Magentis, there is little to negatively comment on when it comes to the interior. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
craftsmanship just doesn't cut it anymore. Kia is well aware of that fact and has undertaken to ensure their attention to interior detail is beyond reproach. Beyond reproach? Well, no it's not really there yet - but given the price-point Kia has set for the Magentis, it's at least beyond criticism. I found the center stack in the Magentis quite appealing and well laid-out. The wood-like trim surrounding the center stack and the power window switches add an element of class. I was particularly impressed with the straightforward, elementary operation of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controls. A large dial set the fan speed, a second dial set the temperature, and a series of clearly marked buttons set the airflow direction. Sometimes less money actually buys better, more idiot-proof "technology."
