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1998 Kia Sephia

Overview
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Vehicle Highlights

Information shown for entry-level Sedan.

MPG: City 21/Hwy 28 Max Seating: 5
Engine: 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter Transmission: Manual, 5-Spd
Country of Origin: Korea Country of Assembly: Korea

1998 Kia Sephia Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating
6.5
Out of 10

Based on 195 Ratings for the 1998 - 2001 models.

Review this car
  • Value
    7.4/10
    Quality
    6.7/10
  • Reliability
    7.4/10
    Performance
    7.0/10
  • Comfort
    6.9/10
    Styling
    6.7/10

What a lemon

By Matt (FL) on Wednesday, April 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 69,000

10 2.0
overall rating 2 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating
2/10
Value
1/10
Reliability
1/10
Quality
1/10
Performance
1/10
Styling
1/10
Comfort
5/10

Pros: "Responsive acceleration"

Cons: "EVERYTHING"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I got my 2000 Kia Sephia with less than 60k miles as a hand-me-down when I turned 16. We put thousands of dollars into the bucket so it would last me through high school. Mechanic told us we'd have 10 years with it. The transmission blew right before my 18th birthday. Happy Birthday, you get to drive your grandma's banged up 2000 Saturn until June. The Kia Sephia's brakes are horrible, you have to push the pedal halfway to the floor before they start to respond, the reliability is non-existent. Power steering isn't needed in a car that light, but we had to keep fixing the pump. I wouldn't drive another Kia Sephia if someone paid me to."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

GREAT VALUE

By murphy (IA) on Thursday, September 13, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 178,000

10 10.0
overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating
10/10
Value
10/10
Reliability
10/10
Quality
8/10
Performance
10/10
Styling
7/10
Comfort
6/10

Pros: "great price, 2/3 split seat"

Cons: "rebuilding front end 3/times/last year"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought my car when it was 3 months old-it was a program car and had 22,000 miles on it. I had the cruise added since I knew I was going to add lots of miles. With tax, title and license, I paid just over $10,000 on it!! There is a chrysler mini van commercial that asks "at the end, if you had to do all over again, would u" MY answer to that is YES!!!!!!!!!! My car has 178,000 miles on it and I just took it to Texas (from Iowa) this summer and it still runs like a dream!!! Sure, we've had to do work to it but just regular maintenance plus an alternator and front end stuff!! I am almost in the market for a new(er) vehicle and am seriously considering another Kia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Hey, I love this little car

By Maureen (TN) on Thursday, April 12, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 201,000

10 10.0
overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating
10/10
Value
10/10
Reliability
10/10
Quality
10/10
Performance
10/10
Styling
10/10
Comfort
10/10

Pros: "STURDY STURDY STURDY"

Cons: "Just don't go off road in it, and you'll be fine."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I've had 4 accidents in this little car. I totalled a Toyota. I've had it for 7 years. I was the TENTH owner of this car. I love it. I drove round trips in it from Gulfport, MS, to Fairmont/Morgantown, WV, Atlanta/Lawrenceville, GA, Ft Walton Beach/Destin, FL, to Baton Rouge, LA, New Orleans, LA, Slidell, LA, Palatka, FL, and Nashville, TN."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

Great First Car!!

By myfirstcar (CA) on Thursday, March 29, 2012

I owned and sold this car
Reason: Bought New Vehicle - My approximate mileage is 135,000

10 10.0
overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating
10/10
Value
10/10
Reliability
9/10
Quality
8/10
Performance
6/10
Styling
5/10
Comfort
6/10

Pros: "great price, compact yet roomy, low maintance"

Cons: "power windows"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I was only 19 when I bought this car used for $10K! However it was less than 1 year old and was only used by the dealship as a customer service shuttle vehicle. It had only 800 miles on it and I was able to buy it with my part time job income for driving to and from work and school. I ended up loving my car so much that I drove it on vacations and put over 100,000 miles on it. I only decided to get a new car because I changed lines of work and needed a larger, more professional vehicle. I drove this car for 8 years straight! I recommend it for young car buyers or commuters!"

Overall great car for the money!

By flo (FL) on Wednesday, February 22, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 136,000

10 10.0
overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating
10/10
Value
10/10
Reliability
10/10
Quality
10/10
Performance
10/10
Styling
10/10
Comfort
10/10

Pros: "great standard model"

Cons: "gas mileage could always be better"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"bought off Dealer lot with approximately 20,000 mi, been an excellent daily driver as well as taking trips.with all cars maintenance is important, having owned all major American and Japanese vehicles in my life, this one compares to the best of the best for the money.Would definitely buy another Kia."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

I LIKE MY KIA

By KIKI (WA) on Monday, February 20, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 135,000

10 8.0
overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating
8/10
Value
9/10
Reliability
9/10
Quality
9/10
Performance
9/10
Styling
9/10
Comfort
6/10

Pros: "GREAT ON GAS, FUN TO DRIVE, LOW PRICE"

Cons: "TO LOW TO THE GROUND, YOU HEAR A LOT OF ROAD NOISE"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I HAVE HAD VERY LITTLE TRUBLE WITH MY KIA. K GOT HER AT 35 MILES AND AN UP TO 135000. SHE HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR. I WOULD BUY A NEW KIA."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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