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1997
Kia Sephia

Starts at:
$9,795
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New 1997 Kia Sephia
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn 1.6L Manual RS (CA)
    Starts at
    $9,795
    28 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 1.8L Manual RS
    Starts at
    $9,795
    24 City / 32 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 1.6L Manual LS (CA)
    Starts at
    $10,745
    28 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 1.6L Auto RS (CA)
    Starts at
    $10,770
    24 City / 31 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 1.8L Auto RS
    Starts at
    $10,770
    23 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 1.8L Manual LS
    Starts at
    $10,895
    24 City / 32 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 1.8L Auto LS
    Starts at
    $11,770
    23 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 1.8L Manual GS
    Starts at
    $11,955
    24 City / 32 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn 1.8L Auto GS
    Starts at
    $12,830
    23 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

The good & the bad

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Expert 1997 Kia Sephia review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

Basic can be good, if it’s understood to be basic. South Korea’s Kia Motors Corp. understands as much, and therein lies the danger for Japanese and U.S. car companies.

I’ve said it before: It’s a mistake to treat South Korean automakers as ciphers in the global auto business. These folks are serious. They want market share. They rapidly are improving product quality, while continuing to beat rivals on price.

The 1997 Kia Sephia is a case in point. It’s an ordinary economy car sold at base prices ranging from $9,795 to $12,830. That’s inexpensive. But it’s not cheap.

The difference is in the notion of value for the dollar. The Sephia offers good value, especially as a commuter. It’s well-made, fuel-efficient and, by economy car standards, almost pleasant to look at.

In its fully loaded form, the Sephia comes with standard amenities such as a 122-horsepower engine, four-wheel independent suspension system and speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering.

But the car’s real virtue is that it is what it is — an economy runner. It doesn’t over-promise, doesn’t vow to give you what Mazda calls “a passion for the road,” or any of that silliness. It’s just a good little car committed to getting you from place to place in reasonable comfort at a reasonable price.

Hmph. What an idea.

Background: Kia probably will stick with this sensible car-sensible pricing strategy for the next several years. This is to help the company gain respect in the United States. And then it probably will do what every other automaker has done in the U.S. auto market — move upscale.

That’s life. The poor, we will have with us always. But profit lies in affluence. Kia wants to be profitable in America.

But until that time, there are deals to be had; and the Sephia is one of the best new-car deals available today.

It is equipped with an in-line, four-cylinder, double-overhead cam, 16-valve engine rated 122 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with torque rated 117 pound-feet at 4,000 rpm. This engine works best with the Sephia’s standard, five-speed manual transmission. With the optional, electronically controlled four-speed automatic, there is a lot of wheezing and whining in the higher gears.

A 1.6-liter, 105-horsepower version of that engine is sold as standard Sephia equipment in California, where clean-air politicians are doing everything in their power to make the gasoline engine obsolete.

Standard brakes include vented, power front discs/rear drums. Power four-wheel discs are optional, along with anti-lock brakes. There is a four-wheel independent suspension system, which is somewhat compromised by the Sephia’s standard, 13-inch (rim diameter) tires. The optional 14-inch tires and wheels offer better balance and drivability on potholed city streets.

The front-engine, front-wheel-drive Sephia is sold in the base RS, mid-scale LS, and best-equipped GS trim lines. It seats four people comfortably. It can accommodate a fifth person of extremely narrow stature.

Dual air bags are standard up front, which means you put children under 12 years old in the back.

1997 Kia Sephia

Complaints: Engine wheeze and whine at highway speeds in the Sephia GS sedan with the optional automatic transmission. There were no such grumblesome noises in a tested, manual-transmission version of the car.

Also, Kia might want to change some of its advertisements in America, where its logo is emblazoned on yellow traffic signs. Those signs mean “Warning” in the United States.

Praise: Excellent runabout car. Could prove to be tiring on trips longer than 100 miles. But for the short stuff, it’s hard to beat.

Head-turning quotient: Not much. But some people were attracted by the bright red, oval Kia nameplate on the front and rear of the car.

Ride, acceleration and handling: Overall good ride. Good acceleration with the manual transmission. So-so acceleration with the automatic car. Good small-car handling Good braking, wet and dry roads, with and without anti-lock backup.

Mileage: About 27 miles per gallon (12.7-gallon tank, estimated 335-mile range on usable volume of regular unleaded), running mostly highway, driver only, with light cargo (11 cubic feet of trunk space).

Sound system: AM/FM stereo radio and cassette. Four speakers. Installed by Kia. Okay.

Price: Base price on the tested 1997 Kia Sephia GS sedan with automatic transmission is $12,830. Dealer invoice on that model is $11,312. Price as tested is $14,125, including $870 for the optional air conditioner and a $425 destination charge.

Purse-strings note: The Sephia should be on all economy car shopping lists. Compare with Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda Protege, Ford Escort, Dodge Neon, Mitsubishi Mirage, Hyundai Elantra, Suzuki Esteem, Subaru Impreza, Chevrolet Cavalier, Nissan Sentra.

1997 Kia Sephia review: Our expert's take
By

Basic can be good, if it’s understood to be basic. South Korea’s Kia Motors Corp. understands as much, and therein lies the danger for Japanese and U.S. car companies.

I’ve said it before: It’s a mistake to treat South Korean automakers as ciphers in the global auto business. These folks are serious. They want market share. They rapidly are improving product quality, while continuing to beat rivals on price.

The 1997 Kia Sephia is a case in point. It’s an ordinary economy car sold at base prices ranging from $9,795 to $12,830. That’s inexpensive. But it’s not cheap.

The difference is in the notion of value for the dollar. The Sephia offers good value, especially as a commuter. It’s well-made, fuel-efficient and, by economy car standards, almost pleasant to look at.

In its fully loaded form, the Sephia comes with standard amenities such as a 122-horsepower engine, four-wheel independent suspension system and speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering.

But the car’s real virtue is that it is what it is — an economy runner. It doesn’t over-promise, doesn’t vow to give you what Mazda calls “a passion for the road,” or any of that silliness. It’s just a good little car committed to getting you from place to place in reasonable comfort at a reasonable price.

Hmph. What an idea.

Background: Kia probably will stick with this sensible car-sensible pricing strategy for the next several years. This is to help the company gain respect in the United States. And then it probably will do what every other automaker has done in the U.S. auto market — move upscale.

That’s life. The poor, we will have with us always. But profit lies in affluence. Kia wants to be profitable in America.

But until that time, there are deals to be had; and the Sephia is one of the best new-car deals available today.

It is equipped with an in-line, four-cylinder, double-overhead cam, 16-valve engine rated 122 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with torque rated 117 pound-feet at 4,000 rpm. This engine works best with the Sephia’s standard, five-speed manual transmission. With the optional, electronically controlled four-speed automatic, there is a lot of wheezing and whining in the higher gears.

A 1.6-liter, 105-horsepower version of that engine is sold as standard Sephia equipment in California, where clean-air politicians are doing everything in their power to make the gasoline engine obsolete.

Standard brakes include vented, power front discs/rear drums. Power four-wheel discs are optional, along with anti-lock brakes. There is a four-wheel independent suspension system, which is somewhat compromised by the Sephia’s standard, 13-inch (rim diameter) tires. The optional 14-inch tires and wheels offer better balance and drivability on potholed city streets.

The front-engine, front-wheel-drive Sephia is sold in the base RS, mid-scale LS, and best-equipped GS trim lines. It seats four people comfortably. It can accommodate a fifth person of extremely narrow stature.

Dual air bags are standard up front, which means you put children under 12 years old in the back.

1997 Kia Sephia

Complaints: Engine wheeze and whine at highway speeds in the Sephia GS sedan with the optional automatic transmission. There were no such grumblesome noises in a tested, manual-transmission version of the car.

Also, Kia might want to change some of its advertisements in America, where its logo is emblazoned on yellow traffic signs. Those signs mean “Warning” in the United States.

Praise: Excellent runabout car. Could prove to be tiring on trips longer than 100 miles. But for the short stuff, it’s hard to beat.

Head-turning quotient: Not much. But some people were attracted by the bright red, oval Kia nameplate on the front and rear of the car.

Ride, acceleration and handling: Overall good ride. Good acceleration with the manual transmission. So-so acceleration with the automatic car. Good small-car handling Good braking, wet and dry roads, with and without anti-lock backup.

Mileage: About 27 miles per gallon (12.7-gallon tank, estimated 335-mile range on usable volume of regular unleaded), running mostly highway, driver only, with light cargo (11 cubic feet of trunk space).

Sound system: AM/FM stereo radio and cassette. Four speakers. Installed by Kia. Okay.

Price: Base price on the tested 1997 Kia Sephia GS sedan with automatic transmission is $12,830. Dealer invoice on that model is $11,312. Price as tested is $14,125, including $870 for the optional air conditioner and a $425 destination charge.

Purse-strings note: The Sephia should be on all economy car shopping lists. Compare with Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda Protege, Ford Escort, Dodge Neon, Mitsubishi Mirage, Hyundai Elantra, Suzuki Esteem, Subaru Impreza, Chevrolet Cavalier, Nissan Sentra.

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years / 100,000 miles
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
6 years or newer / less than 80,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12,000 miles
Dealer certification
165-point inspection

Consumer reviews

2.5 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 1.5
Interior 3.0
Performance 2.5
Value 3.1
Exterior 2.5
Reliability 2.6

Most recent

  • Cheapest car to own and drive

    You're not going to impress anyone by driving this car but it is cheap to buy and drive and it holds up well. The positive notes are the price point, reliability, and fuel economy. Mine has 180,000 miles on it now. It went about 170,000 on the original engine before it required replacement. I believe this car shares it's powerplant with several other vehicles in it's class like the Ford Escort, making replacement parts cheap and easy to find when needed. The only repairs I've done are the engine/clutch (didn't need the clutch but the one I got with the engine looked newer so I threw it in), brakes, tires, OEM stlye cat back exhaust, O2 sensor, throttle position sensor, and a new upper dash. I have managed to squeeze 41 MPG out of it a road trip where I stay on the highway and keep it between 65 and 70MPH. The car turns about 3,500 rpm at 75MPH which scares me a little so I usually don't go more than about 70. I've also noticed this car gets about 2.5 to 3 MPG better when running premium fuel which actually makes it cheaper to run than the cheap gas. I've been averaging about 34 MPG this summer running the A/C about 25% of the time and rarely driving on the highway with it. The original A/C hasn't required any service and cools the car effectively. The downside to this vehicle is what it lacks in creature comforts. I only took one long road trip in this car out of necessity when my VW let me down and I already had a trip planned. The model I own does not have cruise control or power windows and the wind noise is downright bad at highway speeds. Also I am 6' tall and between the seats and footwell area, it is not comfortable for much more than a quick trip to run some local errands or going back and forth on my 15 minute commute through town and some back roads. I don't think it's the size as much as it is the low cost appointments and lack of power options. For comparison, a 3-series BMW is the same size within fractions of an inch in most categories but yet is far more comfortable. All in all, if you don't have alot of money or even if you do but you don't like spending it on gas and vehicle depreciation, this is an OK choice. Would be a great starter car except with the car being so small and lightweight I would worry about the crash protection for the occupants.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 2.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • most reliable car i know is 87 to 93 mustang v8

    i own a 97 sephia .the only reason i bought this car is to save gas because i only drive mustangs but with gas prices i had to get a go to work car.i got it with 60kmiles.this car gave me problems from the beginning.first the timimg belt broke.2 months after the alternater broke.about 6 months later the trans started to slip and i had to install a new one.ive had electric shorts ,starter whent out ,and some other minor problems.this car never stops braking down .this brand of vehicles is ver very horribly bad its what my mechanic told me .im selling it now .ford mustangs from 87 to 93 is the most reliable cars ive ever had whith the v8 5.0 engine.this is not a good review but its the truth ,poeple dont ever buy this brand of vehicles .kias
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 1.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1997 Kia Sephia?

The 1997 Kia Sephia is available in 3 trim levels:

  • GS (2 styles)
  • LS (3 styles)
  • RS (4 styles)

What is the MPG of the 1997 Kia Sephia?

The 1997 Kia Sephia offers up to 24 MPG in city driving and 32 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 1997 Kia Sephia reliable?

The 1997 Kia Sephia has an average reliability rating of 2.6 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1997 Kia Sephia owners.

Is the 1997 Kia Sephia a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1997 Kia Sephia. 50.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

2.5 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
  • Comfort: 1.5
  • Interior: 3.0
  • Performance: 2.5
  • Value: 3.1
  • Exterior: 2.5
  • Reliability: 2.6
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