2013 Kia Quoris Review: Luxury Sedan for Gulf Buyers

Korean car makers have their sights firmly set on the burgeoning luxury car market in oil-rich Gulf states. Like Hyundai, Kia is now creating cars designed to appeal to luxury buyers in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and other GCC countries. So how does the latest Kia offering, the Quoris 2013, match up to its better-established rivals?

Performance

On the road, the Kia Quoris is evidently a competent highway cruiser, with the option to increase ground clearance. It is not, however, the most torque-blessed of cars. The driving experience is comfortable, comparable to that of a Cadillac XTS, and will appeal to those seeking a smooth, executive ride. While it may not attract younger drivers, it has all the plus points that many older drivers seek in a luxury sedan.

Does it deliver the kind of driving experience you get with a Mercedes, BMW, or Audi? Not really; the feeling is more of a comfort cruise rather than a performance machine. At high speeds above 160 km/h, the ride is not as stable as those mentioned rivals. However, at regular driving speeds up to 140 km/h, which most people usually reach, it's quite comfortable and smooth. It also includes active cruise control, which further enhances driving comfort.

Fuel economy tends to be less of a concern to Middle Eastern drivers – fortunately for the Quoris – which at 16.0L/100km combined is not breaking any records. There are three drive modes:

• Normal
• Sport
• Eco

We mostly drove in Normal and Sport modes. Use Eco for maximum benefit.

Interior

What surprises – and pleases – about the Kia Quoris is the interior technology. We drove the fully optioned Quoris, which has numerous features, more than a typical Mercedes, BMW, or Audi in this price range.

The cooling seats are a blessing for the Middle East heat. Video screens on the back of the front seats provide entertainment, complete with radio options, alongside the impressive 17-speaker sound system.

Kia has seemingly included everything under the sun. It also unabashedly imitates the best, incorporating S-Class-inspired seat adjustment controls, BMW-inspired shifter, and a host of other gadgets. There is even a button to check the direction of Qiblah for Muslim prayers!

Yes, it's true the Quoris has more features for the money than its rivals, but it's also true that the interior finishing is not as good as its German counterparts. The Germans may have fewer features but offer higher quality materials. The Quoris has more features, but not the finest quality materials. Don't get me wrong, they are very good, just not as good as the Germans.

Quick Tangent on Exterior Styling...

It’s easy to see various parts of the Quoris were inspired by legendary European brands; a Maserati-influenced front grille, a BMW-style interior shifter, and Audi-like headlamps. While the simple rear appears to have absorbed little of this European auto-finesse, the front is stylish and impressive.

Verdict

For the price of a fully optioned Kia Quoris at 219,000 AED in the UAE, it is possible to purchase a BMW 520i or a Mercedes E200. So despite all the onboard gadgets, will people be willing to shift brand loyalty towards Kia?

If the ultimate reason for buying a luxury sedan is prestige and distinctive drive feel, then the Korean marque may have a tough time against its much-revered German rivals.

For the price, the Quoris does offer a plethora of interior technology that a similarly priced BMW or Mercedes would lack. This is the core selling point of the Quoris – more options for less money. Quoris offers an alternative to those who seek comfort and luxury at a bargain.