Kia’s Rise in the United States: A Look at the Rare Sephia Sedan
Kia has become a familiar sight on American roads, but it wasn’t always that way. In fact, the brand only made its debut in the United States about 30 years ago with the introduction of the Sephia sedan. While these cars are now rare, one was recently discovered in a self-service car graveyard in the Denver area.
Finding a 1994-1996 Sephia proved to be a challenge due to their cheap and disposable nature. However, a tip from a knowledgeable car enthusiast led to the discovery of a Sephia with a 1994 build date in a local boneyard. This particular car had previously been listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace but failed to attract buyers, despite its running condition and low price. It begs the question: what has gone wrong with the world?
The build tag on the Sephia revealed that it was manufactured in August 1994 at the Hwaseong plant. Interestingly, the build tag sticker on the driver’s door closely resembled those found on Dearborn machinery from the late 1970s through the early 1990s. This similarity can be attributed to Kia’s beginnings in the car industry as a licensee for other companies, particularly Mazda, but also Peugeot and Fiat. Ford later collaborated with Kia to create an Americanized version of the Kia Pride, known as the Ford Festiva, which was sold from 1988 to 1993.
In 1995, Kia expanded its lineup with the introduction of the Sportage mini-SUV. However, financial struggles led to Kia declaring bankruptcy in 1997, leading to its acquisition by Hyundai Motor Company in 1998. As a result, Kias gradually became more Hyundized in their design and features.
The Sephia found in the car graveyard was a base model RS with a manual transmission, retailing for an MSRP of $8,495 in 1995 (equivalent to approximately $17,722 in today’s dollars). To put that price into perspective, the 1995 Hyundai Elantra sedan started at $10,199 ($21,277 after adjusting for inflation), while the base Saturn SL sedan was priced as low as $9,995 ($20,951 today), although it had low sales figures.
Under the hood, the Sephia housed a 1.8-liter SOHC 16-valve engine, which bore a striking resemblance to the Mazda B family of engines. With 125 horsepower and 108 pound-feet of torque, the Sephia offered decent performance for its time. The original buyer of this particular car opted for the manual transmission, as the automatic option came at an additional cost of $950 ($1,982 today). And for those hot summer days, air conditioning was also an optional extra that came at a price of $850 (equivalent to $1,773 today).
Based on the presence of a 1997 Air Force Academy parking sticker on the bumper, it appears that this Sephia spent most, if not all, of its life in Colorado. Interestingly, Phil Long Kia in Colorado Springs is still operational today, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of Kia’s presence in the state.
While the Sephia may not have been a standout car in terms of overall quality, it holds significant historical value as one of Kia’s early offerings in the American market. During its launch period, Kia aimed high by taking on established competitors like the Honda Civic. The cheapest possible Civic sedan in 1995 was the DX, with an MSRP of $11,980 (approximately $24,992 today). However, Honda’s reputation for durability and longevity made it a tough competitor for newcomers like Kia.
Looking at the Sephia’s marketing, it’s clear that Kia took inspiration from a famous 1969 AMC Rebel “Driving School” advertisement. The Sephia’s home-market TV commercials featured enthusiastic voiceovers and roaring engines, showcasing Kia’s efforts to establish a bold and macho image for the car.
In conclusion, the discovery of a rare Sephia sedan in a Denver car graveyard offers a glimpse into Kia’s early days in the United States. Despite facing challenges and undergoing changes, Kia has managed to establish itself as a prominent brand on American roads. The Sephia may not have been a standout car of its time, but it played a significant role in Kia’s journey towards becoming the well-established brand we know today.