Space, refinement, comfort and luxury are the hallmarks of life on board the Kia Magentis. Kia recognises that many of the people who buy or drive D-segment cars spend long hours on the road, and though they expect a responsive and involving car to drive, they also value peace, quiet and comfort. The Kia Magentis delivers all round.

It features seats and trim specifically developed for European tastes and driving styles. The seats have large side bolsters that provide more lateral support than those fitted in other markets - a concession to UK drivers' generally higher cornering speeds and the country's more twisty roads. They also have a longer cushion to provide greater under-thigh support.

Space is a necessity, not a luxury in D-segment cars. In the Magentis, it is generous all round, supporting Kia's claims that this is a genuine five-person car. This has been achieved without resorting to the gargantuan lengths of some competitors. It has come about through intelligent packaging solutions that have also allowed Kia to create five- and seven-seat compact MPVs (the Carens) from the same platform.

In Kia Magentis, all five occupants enjoy a high hip point, giving a commanding view of the road. Rear passengers sit 25mm higher than those in front to ensure they also enjoy a view through the windscreen. Luggage capacity is an impressive 425 litres (500 litres with the seats down), and there are 60:40 split rear seats with fold-down backrests to permit extra-long loads to be carried.

The Kia Magentis's safety credentials are underscored by a long list of standard features, including twin front, side and curtain airbags and active headrests on both front seats to prevent whiplash injury in nose-to-tail crashes. All models come equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BAS) and Traction Control (TC) provide the ultimate in accident-avoidance electronic driver support.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) allows drivers to maintain steering response and directional control even when braking heavily, minimising the risk of an accident. Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) adjusts the force applied to individual brakes as a further aid to directional stability.

Brake Assist (BAS) recognises when a driver is applying emergency braking and ensures maximum retardation to reduce stopping distances. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) prevents skids by comparing the car's course with that intended by the driver and applying the brakes to individual wheels, slowing the engine - or both - to keep it under control.

Should an accident be unavoidable, occupants are protected by a remarkably stiff and strong bodyshell and six airbags - twin front, side and curtains. The Magentis's side airbags are extra deep, protecting both the thorax and pelvis of front-seat occupants. The passenger side front airbag has an on-off switch so that a rear-facing child seat can be carried.

The interior design team made strenuous efforts to ensure the quality of the fittings is on a par with the best from Europe. Tight-fitting trim, soft-touch surfaces, logically laid-out controls and switches and a smart all-black interior with aluminium trim to give the new Kia Magentis an upmarket look and feel. A new and fresh looking three-barrel instrument binnacle is fitted to Kia Magentis for the first time.