Kia
1.6T GDi GT 3dr
£19,855
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“Kia builds a hot hatch. It's really rather decent. Swift, comfy, affordable - and just sporty enough. ”
Good stuff
Rides nicely, tidy handling, well-priced
Bad stuff
Lazy engine, dull noise, lacks the precision of the very best
Overview
What is it?
Only Korea’s first-ever hot hatch! After building its reputation with straight-laced, reasonably priced cars for straight-laced, reasonably priced buyers, Kia has finally decided to let its hair down and take on the fast kids.
The GT follows the tried-and-tested hot hatch formula to the very letter, with a 201bhp 1.6-litre turbo four driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual. That puts it some way south of the unholy triumvirate of Renaultsport Megane (261bhp), Ford Focus ST (247bhp) and sofa-chewing Astra VXR (276bhp), but just a few measly horses behind the MkVII Golf GTI, which makes 217bhp. But the GT starts at a modest £20,000 – a hefty six grand less than the Golf GTI…
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Our choice from the range
What's the verdict?
“A well-considered first effort from Kia: a hot hatch nicely suited to the everyday real world.”
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