1998 Kia Sephia Reviews, Pricing & Specs
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 1998 Kia Sephia have mixed feelings. Many appreciated its affordability, reliability with minimal maintenance, and fun driving experience, especially for running errands or light work. However, several drivers disliked the lack of power, poor interior quality, and safety concerns. Common complaints included issues with water leaks and the car feeling flimsy in accidents. While some found it a decent choice for basic transportation, others felt it fell short in performance and comfort."
I purchased this car in 2000, used with only 8000 miles on it.. and for only $3000.. I have only ever had to do routine maintenance on this vehicle. I very much enjoyed driving this car cross country(to Louisiana and Texas) several times. It also has one of the better body styles of all small/medium sedans around. I would recommend this vehicle a thousand times over...
March 17, 2010I bought this car to run a newspaper route. It performed flawlessly. It now has over 160,000 and still has the original clutch. Two complete tune ups. 1 water pump and all the belts. The owner's manual says do not use to tow but I pull a 4x8 trailer all the time with it. The most annoying problem is that after some age and abuse, the rear window lets water in and soaks the seats from trunk area.
May 6, 2008The Sephia was the first car Kia brought to the US. The 1998 model I owned was the second generation, which is slightly better looking and has a revised interior and engine. My car was VERY used; in fact, I got it for free with a blown engine and had to install one from a wrecking yard. I drove this car during college and it served me well. The car was extremely reliable in terms of mechanical parts, but the interior was made of very cheap material and nearly everything was broken or rattled. I had to replace the driver's window motor a couple of times. I also had trouble with the fuel tank not venting properly, causing it to be hard to fill up with gas. I had the LS model which includes power mirrors and a few extra features, but it had the 5-speed manual transmission, which I prefer. The engine had decent power considering the car's light weight, and the manual helped to deliver the power better. Fuel economy around 55 mph was excellent, but the short gearing made 70 mph driving a strain (4000 rpm in 5th gear). The car is small, so backseat and trunk space is at a premium, but I was able to carry a good amount (when moving from place to place) with careful packing. The car came to its demise when I got into an accident with it, which also proved that the construction of the exterior is just as flimsy as the inside. The car was badly damaged even at the low speed of my collision, and the airbag failed to deploy. Overall, not a very safe vehicle.
March 28, 2013What owners say
I purchased this car in 2000, used with only 8000 miles on it.. and for only $3000.. I have only ever had to do routine maintenance on this vehicle. I very much enjoyed driving this car cross country(to Louisiana and Texas) several times. It also has one of the better body styles of all small/medium sedans around. I would recommend this vehicle a thousand times over...
March 17, 2010I bought this car to run a newspaper route. It performed flawlessly. It now has over 160,000 and still has the original clutch. Two complete tune ups. 1 water pump and all the belts. The owner's manual says do not use to tow but I pull a 4x8 trailer all the time with it. The most annoying problem is that after some age and abuse, the rear window lets water in and soaks the seats from trunk area.
May 6, 2008The Sephia was the first car Kia brought to the US. The 1998 model I owned was the second generation, which is slightly better looking and has a revised interior and engine. My car was VERY used; in fact, I got it for free with a blown engine and had to install one from a wrecking yard. I drove this car during college and it served me well. The car was extremely reliable in terms of mechanical parts, but the interior was made of very cheap material and nearly everything was broken or rattled. I had to replace the driver's window motor a couple of times. I also had trouble with the fuel tank not venting properly, causing it to be hard to fill up with gas. I had the LS model which includes power mirrors and a few extra features, but it had the 5-speed manual transmission, which I prefer. The engine had decent power considering the car's light weight, and the manual helped to deliver the power better. Fuel economy around 55 mph was excellent, but the short gearing made 70 mph driving a strain (4000 rpm in 5th gear). The car is small, so backseat and trunk space is at a premium, but I was able to carry a good amount (when moving from place to place) with careful packing. The car came to its demise when I got into an accident with it, which also proved that the construction of the exterior is just as flimsy as the inside. The car was badly damaged even at the low speed of my collision, and the airbag failed to deploy. Overall, not a very safe vehicle.
March 28, 2013looks like a roach and feels like a tin can. performance wasnt bad but wasnt any good either. cost of ownership....not worth what i paid for it. definatly not fun at all to drive especially if it is automatic
April 7, 2009The car has no power at all, and when the AC is on you better not expect to pass anybody. I am getting around 23 MPG with it around town, but I can't help that. The car is very easy to control, making for some awsome cornering and "dime" turns.
August 2, 2008i bought mine for 300.00 used 2 years ago all iv done to it is general maintence replaced the timing belt and it runs like a sewing machine best 300.00 car ive ever owned.,only problem no room to work under the hood
January 17, 2009The Sephia was fun to drive, but the ride was punishing. Braking and acceleration was middling, and the reliability was spotty in my own Sephia. While handling was solid, the mechanical quality of the components were questionable at best. The sedan is roomy by compact sedan standards, but interior materials are a bit subpar. Rear seat space is generous. If you buy one, make sure you know its repair and maintenance history.
March 19, 2008
