2000 Kia Sephia Review
Price Estimate: $264 - $440

Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Low price, impressive build quality, roomy interior.
Cons
- Unrefined drivetrain, weak tires, and some cheap interior materials.
What’s new
The Sephia has improved seat fabric, a new audio system and two new colors for 2000.
Edmunds says
The Sephia will never be called a great sedan, but for some, it might prove to be a good bargain.
For sale near Sebastian, FL
1 listings
- $2,900
- 144,012 miles
- Hail damage reported, 5 owners, personal use only
- 20 City / 26 Hwy MPG, Manual
- 406 Auto Wholesale (1,975 mi away)
Close
Located in Laurel, MT
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
22 Combined MPG (20 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNAFB1210Y5831929
Stock: 0762
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Vehicle overview
The current Kia is bigger, stronger and more enticing than ever before. Two trim levels are offered and both come equipped with a Kia-built 1.8-liter that delivers 125 horsepower to the front wheels. The LS is the top-of-the-line model and includes power steering, bodyside molding, rear heat ducts, a remote hatch/trunk release, a tachometer, 60/40 split folding rear seat and a passenger-side vanity mirror.
The Sephia is a Korean product, but unfairly suffers the stigma attached to all autos from that country, depicting 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 was sending us small Fords, called the Festiva, which consistently ranked among the most reliable compact cars available.
We've determined that Kias are a step above other Korean cars; now the reasons you should consider one. Base equipment levels are rather impressive; front and rear stabilizer bars, dual exterior mirrors, theft-deterrent system, rear defogger, remote fuel release, and fabric upholstery come standard. Dual airbags, a powerful engine, capable suspension and styling tweaks make it look more expensive than a car of this price has a right to look. Even build quality ranks high for a vehicle in this class. Slam any one of the four doors and you will be rewarded with an impressive "thunk" usually reserved for Hondas or Toyotas.
The Sephia is certainly not a performance car, despite its optional rear spoiler, but the 1.8-liter engine makes 108 ft-lbs. of torque. Combined with its 4.11 rear axle ratio, the little Kia scoots away from stoplights with authority, but doesn't generate much passing thrust at higher rpm where the engine makes more noise than horsepower. We also like to see Kia replace the Sephia's factory Hankook tires with a more respected brand that offers superior all-around performance.
Perhaps the Sephia's greatest strength lies in its roomy interior. With a truly usable rear seat, four adults can fit easily and five will manage as long as the rear-seat passengers are close friends. With base prices starting around $10,000, the Sephia offers better value than the Chevy Prizm, Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, among others.
The company is slowly expanding, taking a lesson 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 test drive a Sephia. We think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Florida
$162/mo for Sephia Base
Sephia Base
vs
$156/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Kia Sephia Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
KIA Sephia-Pretty good
4.13 out of 5 starscody92, 03/29/2012
2000 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
I had one of these for driving to school and work. It wasnt real fancy, but thats fine because if I wanted luxury I wouldve bought a cadillac or something of that nature. The KIA Sephia is a simple commuter car, nothing more or less. Its got a basic 4cyl and doesnt have a whole lot of horse power but it'll get you where youre going. My Sephia was undyingly reliable and never put me in a … pinch after all the abuse it took from me learning how to drive manual on it and generally just driving the thing like I stole it. I reccomend the KIA as a first car or for anyone who needs a commuter thats reliable and gets good MPG.
After 6 yrs, I still LOVE my Kia Sephia
5 out of 5 starsGoldie, 06/01/2007
2000 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
I enjoy the handling of my Sephia. Turning around in small areas is a snap. The seats are nicely padded. The comfort of driving it long distances without feeling stiff has been wonderful. Accelerating onto a highway is great. The trunk really holds a lot. Passengers have felt comfortable. It is great on gas. It has been very reliable. I just love driving it. My husband and grown daughter … enjoy driving it when I will let them. ;>)
I think I like it
3.13 out of 5 starss, 07/27/2006
2000 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan
I mostly like the car, it has some parts and accessories that seem very cheap to me. It is good on gas. Every time I am near time for an oil change, I run through oil a lot. The brakes seem to squeak all the time especially when it rains. I even put new brakes on and it still squeaks, sometimes very loudly. When I first got the car it needed a new blower motor. I had the dealer put in … one and there was a problem with it making a lot of noise. They replaced it two more times. Now it's been a year and I have to replace the blower motor again.
My Kia
4.88 out of 5 starsIloveMy2000KiaSephia, 08/18/2010
2000 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan
I got my KIA as a birthday present in April of this year. (A lot of people laughed) I learned to drive (you know the kind of wear that does) in it. I have YET to be in a more comfortable-to drive, car. The only problems I have encountered are: exhaust leak, transmission fluid was low and it was hard to find WHERE to put the TM fluid. Sophie-my Sephia-loves to go fast. She runs her best … at 80-90+ mph. When first starting her for the day, it's quickest to just go about 70/80. If not it takes about 10 miles. A/C needs charging. My cd player is broken. The hood has a few minor dents-flimsy metal-door handle seems to be loose on pass. side. All in all, she does what I need and more. I love my Kia.
2000 Sephia Highlights
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $162/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 10.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
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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