By no stretch of the most starry-eyed imagination could the Kia Magentis be called pretty. Ungainly, bereft of styling harmony, would be more accurate - but it's darn good value.
It looks like its elements were patched together by varioius departments with little communication between them - in particular, round brights with rectangular headlights don't gel.
But while eye candy takes a back seat, there's lot to like about this big car from Korea, not least its price. Your R219 995 gets you a roomy sedan kitted out with four crash bags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, leather upholstery, a 2.5-litre V6, all the electronic bells and whistles you'd expect in an executive car, and a three-year service plan.
That makes it the most affordable car in its class, with some rival sedans having similar space, power and features costing more than R280 000 - although admittedly they have more sophistication and the badge is more desirable.
The Kia's closest competitor in the mid-size sedan market is the Toyota Camry 2.4 GLi auto selling for R225 710 but with only 112kW and 218Nm on call.
The flagship Magentis (a two-litre version is also offered) has a multivalved, 2.5-litre engine capable of 123kW and 230Nm driving the front wheels through a four-speed auto transmission.
So few gears is old-fashioned against a growing trend towards autos with up to seven gears and which adapt their shift patterns according to the driver's style. The Kia's gear changes aren't the smoothest and its ratios are quite tall but it at least has a manual/sequential function that allows the driver to choose.
And, unlike other similar boxes, it stays in the gear you select - no override except for swopping to first, an waiting for further instructions, when stopped.
Tall gearing sees the Magentis 2.5 cruising at 120km/h with the engine spinning contentedly at only 2500rpm. This, in theory, benefits fuel consumption although the 11.7 litres/100km figure we achieved on a combination of town/freeway driving wasn't especially economical. Kia claims 10.3.
Top speed is about 210km/h, 0-100 takes 11.5sec on the Highveld, Kia claims 8.8 (bit optimistic, methinks) at sea level but cruising is relaxed, the transmission smooth.
The accelerator pedal's movement is quite heavy, though, and makes the car seem a more slothlike than it really is.
Driving the Magentis in a hurry can become a bit of a manic experience; there's a lot of shift shock when the car kicks down from fourth to second. The V6 develops a vocal hum at higher rpm but it's very smooth.
The Kia rides and handles very competently. It's very good at smothering ripples with its high-profile tyres and surefooted, if not thrilling, through curves thanks to its multilink rear suspension and gas-assisted shocks..
It calmly tolerates hard braking in the middle of a corner without threatening to spin - even with traction control switched off.
Build quality improving
The styling of the spacious interior is clean and functional but, like the outside, lacks pizazz. The leather-covered seats and doors are nice but the fascia hard plastic and fails to convey the same upmarket feel as cars with softer surfaces.
They might have a lot to learn about styling but Korean build quality is improving all the time and the Magentis is solidly put together and there's a long menu of features that includes cruise control, power windows and mirrors and central locking/keyless entry.
A radio/CD/tape audio system with high-end Infiniti speakers provides the entertainment, though the electric aerial makes a big racket as it extends and retracts.
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Maintaining cabin temperature is easy thanks to the Magentis having one of the most user-friendly of climate control systems. Like the gearbox, the air-con won't override your settings.
The driver's seat has power adjustment and both front seats, though lacking much lateral support are very comfortable. The steering wheel has height adjustment only and that compromises leggier drivers.
The boot looks big but reality is a mediocre 386 litres, according to Kia's specification sheet. Expansion requires folded rear seats.
SUMMARY
For people with little interest in image and badge snobbery, the Magentis 2.5 is worth a test drive. On a cost-per-feature basis, it's the best buy in its class.