Vehicle Overview
The subcompact Sephia sedan returns unchanged from last year but now has a hatchback cousin in the new Spectra. Kia added the front-drive Spectra for 2001, and the main difference is its hatchback styling.
Korea-based Kia is owned by Hyundai but maintains a separate dealer network. Hyundais ownership shows in the new warranty for 2001. The whole vehicle is covered for five years/60,000 miles, along with major powertrain components for 10 years/100,000 miles and corrosion for five years/100,000 miles. All Hyundai models are covered under this warranty, which includes free roadside assistance for the first five years.
Exterior
The conservatively styled Sephia comes only as a four-door and measures 174.4 inches overall about the same length as the Honda Civic.
Interior
The Sephia comes in base and LS price levels. The LS boasts several features not available on the base, which include all-cloth seats (instead of cloth and vinyl), a tilt steering column, a 60/40 split rear seatback that folds for extra cargo room and a tilt feature for the drivers seat.
An optional Power Package for the LS adds air conditioning, cruise control, a tachometer, and power locks, windows and mirrors.
Under the Hood
A 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 125 horsepower is the only engine choice. Consumers get the choice of a standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission.
