Sephias broke no new technical ground, but offered competent--if unremarkable--performance. Even in its latest form, though, Sephia is a mediocre performer compared to most budget-range rivals. Acceleration is so-so, as are ride and handling. Even fuel economy has been unremarkable, as a recent test LS sedan with 5-speed averaged a nothing-special 22.7 mpg. An earlier GS model, in contrast, averaged almost 31 mpg, driving 40 percent of the time on the highway. Noise also has been a problem, and refinement lags way behind that of the class-leading Hondas and Toyotas. Engine noise is moderate, but road and wind noise are prominent. Ride quality isn't bad for a subcompact, though the suspension tends to "hammer" over bumps instead of absorbing them. Sephias boast more interior space than many subcompacts, especially in back. Trunk space is also good. Except for the stereo, which was mounted low and had small, hard-to-use buttons, the early dashboard was well laid out.

Value for the Money
Prices have been attractive on the new-car market, and similarly tempting on used-car lots. Kia spokespersons claim their cars' resale value has been strong, but it's definitely not in the same league as a Toyota or Honda. That could be good news for used-car shoppers, but there's more to value than price--especially when reliability is a question mark. Refinement, too, lags well behind the class-leading Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. On the whole, we've been underwhelmed by Sephia and Spectra. But as of 2001, Kias were covered by the industry's most comprehensive warranties, which adds to owner peace of mind. When that tempting price is factored into the equation, this South Korean subcompact might be a credible choice for the budget conscious.