By Chris Chase; photos by
Chris Chase and Greg Wilson
It’s a funny thing, this business of naming cars. There are many whose monikers are made-up words, and others whose names are creative variations on real ones. The Kia Magentis fell into the latter category, at least in Canada (and Australia, Europe and Brazil); cross the border into the United States, though, and you’ll find this same car, called the Optima. A far better name for a car, don’t you think? I do, and that’s why I’m glad Kia ditched the Magentis badge when the third generation (2011) version of this car was launched.
2009 Kia Magentis
I’m getting ahead of myself, though; the focus of this used vehicle column is the second-generation Magentis, sold from the mid-2006 model year (early cars were labelled 2006.5) through 2010.
Engine choices were between a 2.4-litre four-cylinder (161 hp) and a 2.7-litre V6 (185 hp); the four came with a five-speed manual transmission that could be optioned to a five-speed automatic, while the six-cylinder got the automatic only. (more…)
