1997 Kia Sephia Review
1997 Kia Sephia Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Cheap price, Mazda powertrain and chassis
Cons
- Build quality, limited dealership network
What’s new
RS models get body-color bumpers this year, and a tan interior is newly available with black exterior paint.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Kia Sephia GS 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$171/mo for Sephia GS
Sephia GS
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Based on the 1990-1994 generation platform of the Mazda Protege, and utilizing many Mazda components and technologies, the Kia Sephia is truly a compact sedan bargain. Kia is a new name to many Americans, but Kias have actually been cruising the highways of North America since mid-1987, when the Ford Festiva was introduced to showrooms on the West Coast. Also based on a Mazda design, the Festiva was assembled at Kia's assembly plant near Seoul, South Korea, and has proven to be a reliable, inexpensive set of wheels. Currently, Kia produces the Ford Aspire.
The Sephia is a Korean product, but unfairly suffers the stigma attached to all autos from that country that depicts Korean cars as unreliable garbage. Thank Hyundai for that image, the first Korean automaker on U.S. soil, and Daewoo, who in 1988 unleashed a reliability nightmare called the Pontiac LeMans on the American public. The crummy Hyundais are history, and the LeMans died at the end of 1993. Meanwhile, Kia has been sending us small Fords, which consistently rank among the most reliable subcompact cars available.
We've determined that Kias are a step above other Korean cars; now the reasons you should consider one. RS equipment levels are rather impressive; front and rear stabilizer bars, dual exterior mirrors, theft-deterrent system, remote trunk release, rear defogger, split-folding rear seat, and fabric upholstery come standard. This year, the RS looks less cheap thanks to body-color bumpers. Dual airbags, a powerful engine (except on RS and LS five-speed models sold in California--these cars are equipped with a dinky 105-horsepower 1.6-liter engine), suspension work and styling tweaks that make it look like a far more expensive car arrived barely two years ago. With base prices starting at less than $10,000, the Sephia offers better value than the Chevy Cavalier, Ford Escort, Geo Prizm, Mercury Tracer, and Toyota Tercel, among others.
Those of you on the eastern side of the country have probably been wondering what the heck a Kia is. You'll be getting them soon. The company is expanding slowly, taking a cue from the massive expansion that Hyundai embarked upon in the late '80s, only to see sales and quality suffer in the early '90s. Kia doesn't want to have a poor image to overcome, so they are taking their time. Take yours too, and then test drive a Sephia. We think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Kia Sephia.
5 star(12%)
4 star(52%)
3 star(27%)
2 star(9%)
1 star(0%)
33 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.5 out of 5 stars
Having problems with the idel in this car!!
rose85bud89, 02/20/2011
1997 Kia Sephia RS 4dr Sedan
I just bought this car alittle over amonth ago. It is agreat car, but there is something wrong with the idel. When you drive it, its okay...but while you are stopped or in park it idels really high. There is also asmall piece that is on the car, that still works but there is some part broken where the hose is suppose to go, we think that might be the problem, but no one knows what this … part is or called just something to do with the idel.
3.5 out of 5 stars
My Work Car, the 97 Sephia R.S.
A. Cook, 04/09/2004
1997 Kia Sephia RS 4dr Sedan
This car, for what it cost me and for
the way it was designed , wasnt a bad
buy.It is easy on gas and tires. The
front wheel drive is a god send in the
snow and ice. I have had some
problems with a sensor going out .
Expensive sensor, 310 $ plus labor !
The local dealer wasnt real helpful
fixing it and i had to take it to an
independent shop. They had it
diagnosed in … 45 minutes, whereas the
dealer couldnt or wouldnt tell me what
was wrong with it in 3 seperate trips.
Go figure that !
3.13 out of 5 stars
Low Price Transportation
manolito, 09/26/2009
1997 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
I just bought this 15 exterior color combination with a toredown interior. This little car will get me to school for the next 8 months and I will have no major or minor repairs. Yes, I paid $650.00 for it and I drove 56 miles one way to get it.
4.13 out of 5 stars
1996 Kia Sephia LS, Manual, A/C, Powered
Driven 25,000km,148K, 01/17/2010
1996 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
Excellent car for a late 1990's model. 1996 received excellent reviews (looking online). This vehicle is well built, repairs are inexpensive (in Korea), the built is solid. For $320 I bought a vehicle driven 25,000km over the past 1.5 hours without a breakdown. Quality build tested on rough Korean roads intercity and highway driving. Weakness: curling dashboard, radio electronic … problems, replaced drive shaft, ball joints, front brakes, master clutch cylinder, 1 front strut, 4 (new) recycled new tires ($80!). Very dependable and a little hard to get rid of really. Save money, this is a good one if mechanically maintained. Thx.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Kia Sephia, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sephia since its last redesign.
1997 Sephia Highlights
GS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $171/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver2 / 5Passenger1 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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