It’s official, the Asia Towner was the cheapest and absolute worst car ever sold here in Germany. Here’s what AUTO BILD had to say about it in February 2002:
First the good news: This device from the North Korean [sic] Kia daughter company Asia is cheap, has two sliding doors and six seats - all available from the National Union of Free Vehicular Imports. And now the bad news…
Motor and transmission: Oh dear! The little 800 cc engine that only manages Euro 2 tries its hardest - but when fully loaded every senile duck overtakes this one-off. Putting it in first gear is even louder than the engine. The stick shift is, politely phrased, indirect.
Anyone looking for a fifth gear can just as well hope to win the lottery.
Chassis and safety: Oh heavens! The car merrily sways about when the stuttery brakes are applied until the wheels almost lose ground contact. Quick curves remind of a boat tour, a wheel quickly lifts off - and the car is in danger of tipping. At least passenger can open the manual windows wide if they get sick. Safety? There is none. No electronic assistants, no airbags, and the headrests go up to your neck. Only three of the six seats have three-point seats. Very bad - a catastrophic braking path of 206 feet.
Comfort and price
Chassis: Ow! The protective hull around the occupants reminds of tin, the cheap plastic cockpit would even scare the North Koreans [again, sic] accustomed to extreme simplicity. The seats are way too small and hard as bricks. Foot room is extremely cramped as the engine is in the middle, directly under the seats. The two foldable seats in the back are usable - and nothing more. Because the situation can’t be that bad that a responsible driver fastens people here with lap belts.
Comfort: Next topic.
Price: Oh well. He who doesn’t pay much doesn’t have to get much. For 12,800 marks (about 6000€) you get the base model plus cassette radio, and for 14,800 (about 7000€) the “luxury” variant with alloys, heater and tinted glass.
All in all: Sure, you can turn a drive in an Asia into a joyride. But anyone with even the slightest sense of responsibility will keep their fingers off of this six-seater. The minibus Asia Towner is nothing more than a mobile park bench for crowded Asian cities where nothing goes anymore. However, a “modern” car with a way too long braking path and constant tipping danger should not be unleased upon the world.