Other than the fact that this equipment is powerful enough to blow the roof, the subwoofer takes up a lot of trunk space. Not very convenient, true, but the buyer of an SX Tuner is undoubtedly not the type of person who does the weekly grocery run! In any case, the subwoofer is detachable.
The source unit sports a contemporary style that suits a young'un's car well. However, the mass of tiny buttons gathered on the front left side really requires a lot of attention and dexterity from the driver. But that's obviously equally unimportant to our young buyer.
Style and performance
We have to admit that the parts specialists at Kia Canada did a good job touching up the body. The rocker panel trim and front and rear spoilers catch the eye without overdoing it.
They've also made a few mechanical changes that alter the driving dynamics and give the car a sportier flavour. The EX's humble 14-inch wheels have given way to elegant, 17-inch, Fast Inferno alloy ones. Black, they sport a machined edge and low-profile Falken FK452 tires, size 205/40ZR17. You read it right: a Z speed rating.
A Tanabe strut tower brace and harder Eibach lowering springs (1 inch shorter in front and 0.8 inch in back) replace the original springs. All these components ensure a firmer suspension, I would even say bum-smacking, but nothing like the Dodge Caliber SRT4.
It's a far cry from the sedate urbanite, but there is a drawback...
No mechanical changes
The engine remains COMPLETELY unchanged, thanks to the guarantee: it's the same 110-horse stable unde the hood. For this 1000-kilo-category car, it's acceptable, but the tuned-car aura takes a hit when you accelerate from a stop. Even more so when it's time to shift into first gear with the au-to-ma-tic transmission, a puffing, 4-speed affair. Might as well install an artificial nitrous oxide system between the front seats.
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| In the trunk, a 10-inch subwoofer with 240-watt amplifier takes up a lot of space. |
The source unit sports a contemporary style that suits a young'un's car well. However, the mass of tiny buttons gathered on the front left side really requires a lot of attention and dexterity from the driver. But that's obviously equally unimportant to our young buyer.
Style and performance
We have to admit that the parts specialists at Kia Canada did a good job touching up the body. The rocker panel trim and front and rear spoilers catch the eye without overdoing it.
They've also made a few mechanical changes that alter the driving dynamics and give the car a sportier flavour. The EX's humble 14-inch wheels have given way to elegant, 17-inch, Fast Inferno alloy ones. Black, they sport a machined edge and low-profile Falken FK452 tires, size 205/40ZR17. You read it right: a Z speed rating.
A Tanabe strut tower brace and harder Eibach lowering springs (1 inch shorter in front and 0.8 inch in back) replace the original springs. All these components ensure a firmer suspension, I would even say bum-smacking, but nothing like the Dodge Caliber SRT4.
It's a far cry from the sedate urbanite, but there is a drawback...
No mechanical changes
The engine remains COMPLETELY unchanged, thanks to the guarantee: it's the same 110-horse stable unde the hood. For this 1000-kilo-category car, it's acceptable, but the tuned-car aura takes a hit when you accelerate from a stop. Even more so when it's time to shift into first gear with the au-to-ma-tic transmission, a puffing, 4-speed affair. Might as well install an artificial nitrous oxide system between the front seats.
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| The 4-speed automatic transmission that dispels the aura created by the car's fantastic styling. |