Engine choice

The engine range of some mainstream marques can often be fiendishly complicated, but Kia kept it simple, with buyers getting a choice of two petrol engines and two diesels in varying capacities and outputs.

The entry-level petrol offering was the 1.6 GDI, a directinjection unit offering 133bhp and 122lb ft of torque. Performance was reasonably sprightly, with 0-60mph in 10.7 seconds before topping out at 111mph, with claimed economy and CO2 emissions of 44.1mpg and 149g/km respectively. For those after a little more shove, the 2.0-litre Theta II engine produced 161bhp and 144lb ft. Performance was improved marginally, although economy and emissions took a hit, the former ranging from 34.4-37.2mpg and the latter being 181-195g/km depending on whether you opted for a manual or automatic. The oil-burners were notably more efficient, with the 1.7 CRDI (producing 114bhp and 188lb ft) claiming 54.3mpg and 135g/km of CO2, while the larger R-family 2.0 CRDI managed 40.9-49.6mpg and 149-179g/km along with an extra 20bhp and 48lb ft. In manual form, it reached 60mph in 10.9 seconds, although owners were more likely to have appreciated the additional mid-range shove, especially if load-lugging or towing was on the agenda. Incidentally, both the 1.6 petrol and 1.7 diesel benefited from Kia’s Ecodynamics tweaks, which bought a stop/start system (badged Intelligent Stop and Go) as standard.

The main upgrade came in July 2012, when a new topspec model joined the range, gaining a revised 2.0 CRDI diesel engine. Changes to the ECU mapping, injectors and turbocharger improved power and torque to 181bhp and 282lb ft, with 0-60mph taking 9.4 seconds in manual form.