For a generation of motorists it’s difficult to think that Kia Motors UK never existed and for others it’s hard to believe how far they have come in 30 years. Entering UK showrooms in 1991 with the rebadged Mazda 121 selling as the Kia Pride, the Korean brand registered 1,800 sales, but that was just a ripple of what was to come. The following year registrations doubled and they have … [Read more...]
Kia wheels out fifth generation Sportage
Kia UK hosted the Western Group of Motoring Writers this week in The Cotswolds to test drive their latest range of new and updated models ranging from the small Picanto up to the new EV6 all electric flagship saloon. But the line-up didn’t include their traditionally best selling model range, the Sportage mid-sized SUV. Why? Because the current Sportage is on sales run-out before the new fifth … [Read more...]
Kia roll out money and finance savings
Kia has announced its new range of offers for Q4, available throughout its 190-strong dealership network until the end of the year. Customers taking a test drive in the Sportage between now and the end of December will benefit from an additional £500 saving if they go on to buy any model in the Sportage line-up. All Sportage diesel models now benefit from new mild-hybrid technology as standard, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S
The Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDI GT-Line S is a rarity, and it’s all the better for that. In a market dominated by so many look-alike, take-it-or-leave-it cars, the Picanto not only visually stands out but leaves others standing in the Formula Fun race. You cannot help but turn and look at this cheeky chappie and if you slip behind the wheel you’ll emerge with a wide smile of satisfaction. If you are … [Read more...]
Tradelines 4 April
The popular Mazda3 range has been boosted with the launch of the 120ps Mazda3 Sport Black special edition. Offered exclusively in hatchback body style, the £21,595 Sport Black is marked out by enhanced styling and unique 18-inch dark alloy wheels, Jet Black roof spoiler and door mirrors contrast perfectly with the free-of-charge Soul Red Metallic, Snowflake White Pearlescent and Eternal Blue … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia Picanto X-Line 1.25 MPI
The Kia Picanto five door city-car range launched in May 2017 and has gained an X-Line Crossover/SUV version for 2018. Although small City Car sales fell by 10% in the UK last year, close to 69,000 buyers were still attracted to this segment and Kia aims to boost its Picanto sales by a adopting the more desirable Crossover/SUV styling craze with their new X-Line versions from £12,595. Other … [Read more...]
Small new Kia Picanto has big sales potential
The South Korean brand of Kia, part of the Hyundai Group, arrived in the UK in 1991 and after several years establishing the brand they have recorded consecutive record years of sales since 2010, explains David Miles. They have tripled sales since 2007 and last year their record UK new car sales grew by 13.86% to reach an all-time high of 89,364 registrations. For the first five months of … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 January
This is the all-new Kia Picanto, the third-generation of one of Kia’s global best-selling cars. Created by Kia’s design centres in Namyang, Korea and Frankfurt, Germany, the new Picanto comes to Britain in the spring after is full reveal at the Geneva motor show in March. More than half of drivers, who made a New Year’s driving resolution, have opted to drive less, walk more or drive more … [Read more...]
Newslines 5 July
Kia has refreshed and upgraded its 'little titans', the Picanto and Rio, with simplified model structures, extra equipment and new trim grades on its 5-door models. There are now three trim grades in the 5-door Picanto line-up – ‘1 Air’, ‘SE’ and ‘Sport’. ‘SE’ replaces the former ‘SR7’ and ‘2’ grades, with ‘Sport’ taking the place of the ‘3’ and ‘4’ grade. The entry-level ‘1’ model has been … [Read more...]