2000 KIA SEPHIA...Continued

The Sephia is sized and drives like other four door cars from Japan and the U.S., yet is priced two to three thousand dollars less when comparably equipped cars are cross-shopped. It has become the third best-selling import small car in the country behind only the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

Most importantly, the Consumer Satisfaction Index as measured by the prestigious J. D. Power group has been rising for the Sephia, close to that of the more established competition. This is no surprise with the well-appointed features and quality construction.

Kia has garnered attention with catchy ads highlighting such confidence-building activities as 300,000 mile comparative durability tests and successes in grueling off-highway performance rallies. In addition they entered a slightly modified Sephia in an 80-mile high-speed closed highway event where it averaged 118 mph and 26 mpg. Donāt try this at home folks!

The new standard equipment includes power steering (previously a $260 option), AM/FM stereo cassette sound system (previously a $320 option), full-cloth interior with upgraded fabric (a $100 value), split fold-down rear seat (a $100 value) and full wheel covers (a $75 value).

"From the moment we established Kia in the United States, we took a high-value position versus other imports," said Dick Macedo, Kia's executive vice president of marketing and sales. "By adding value to our best-selling model line, we are reinforcing the position that has helped make us one of the two fastest-growing brands in the country."

True to their Ford contacts, they licensed the single-overhead-cam engine from Mazda, and Sephia has five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions.

The automatic transmission employs a safety-inspired "hold" feature. This allows the driver to pull away from a full stop in second gear. The reduced torque to the front wheels makes them less likely to spin on slick surfaces, like ice or snow.

The suspension is fully independent with front and rear anti-roll bars -- good features often overlooked on smaller cars. We found plenty of tight curves and grades to properly test the ride, handling and power of the Sephia, and can say that it capably passed the Black Hills torture test.

The interior is well laid out -- tasteful but not plush. Split folding rear seatbacks expand the trunk's 10.4 cu. ft. capacity -- large for a compact car. There are now only two trim levels -- the base and the LS. Nothing uncommon here either.