KIA Classic

Kia, the renowned South Korean automaker, has a storied history in the Pakistani auto industry, marked by several attempts to establish a presence in the local market. One of Kia’s notable entries during its second stint in Pakistan was the Kia Classic, a locally manufactured 1300cc sedan also known as the Kia Pride, Kia Classic, and Kia NGV. While production of this subcompact sedan has ceased, used versions, particularly the Kia Classic 2005 model, remain popular in Pakistan.

History of Kia Classic in Pakistan

The introduction of the Kia Classic is intertwined with Kia’s journey in Pakistan. It traces back to the 1990s when Kia initially entered the market with Naya Daur Motors, a venture that did not succeed. Kia made a comeback in 1998 through a partnership with Dewan Farooque Motor Company Limited (DFML), unveiling the Kia Classic sedan.

The Kia Classic, debuting in 2000, was the first vehicle manufactured at the DFML assembly plant. It was essentially the sedan version of the well-known Kia hatchback, the Kia Pride, and featured a 1.3-liter Mazda B3 engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.

Initially, the Kia Classic garnered attention as a practical and reasonably priced subcompact sedan. However, its sales dwindled over the years, dropping to 400 units per year by 2005. The discontinuation of the Kia Classic in Pakistan coincided with DFML’s financial troubles, leading to Kia’s exit from the country’s automotive scene.

Exterior

The Kia Classic’s design, influenced by Mazda design studios, underwent several facelifts during its production. Standard exterior features included body-colored bumpers with impact absorption, body-side protection strips, front and rear mud flaps, a retractable aerial, 2-speed flick wipers, laminated windscreen, tailgate wiper, internally adjusted headlights with halogen lamps, high-level rear brake light, and rear fog light.

Interior

Despite its subcompact classification, the Kia Classic offered a spacious and comfortable driver cabin. Interior features comprised a glove box, cigar lighter, parcel shelf, tool kit, courtesy lights, landscape lamp, front/rear speakers, reclining front seats, split-folding rear seats, and childproof rear door locks.

Engine

Reflecting its Mazda heritage, the Pakistani Kia Classic housed a 1.3-liter Mazda BJ four-cylinder engine delivering 88 horsepower and 117 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The car was available in both petrol and CNG variants.

Competition

During its production era, the Kia Classic competed with models such as the Honda City, Suzuki Margalla, Toyota Corolla XLi, and GLi in the Pakistani market.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Affordable sedan option
• Powerful engine for its class

Cons:

• Challenges with parts availability
• Limited resale value

The Kia Classic, while no longer in production, left a mark in Pakistan’s automotive landscape as an accessible sedan with respectable performance, although it faced issues typical of discontinued models such as parts availability and resale value concerns.

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