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Kia Clarus K9A 2.0 i 16V (133 Hp)
Overall Rating
Kia Clarus:
The Kia Credos was Kia's first self developed mid-size family sedan, which went on sale in South Korea in 1995, and in Australia in 1998. The Credos is based on the fifth generation Mazda Capella/Cronos, which was also sold as the Mazda 626.
It was powered by one of four gasoline engines. Initially, three engines are offered, depending on the trim: 1. 8-litre Kia T8D engine; 2. 0-litre Mazda FE SOHC engine; and 2. 0-litre Mazda FE-DOHC engine. A fourth engine, a licensed version of 2. 0-litre V6 DOHC Rover KV6 engine, was available with the facelifted version from 1998 and on, which also added a station wagon variation, called the Parktown in its native Korea, where it was a commercial flop....(Read more on Wikipedia)
K9A Overview:
Kia Clarus (K9A). With 171 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 1234 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 10.9 s). The top speed reaches 195 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Kia Clarus K9A was not officially tested by Euro NCAP. While it featured basic safety systems like ABS, specific crash test data is unavailable, making direct safety comparisons challenging against contemporary rivals that were tested.
2.0 i 16V (133 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Despite a higher power output of 133 Hp, the 2.0L engine surprisingly delivers slower 0-100 km/h acceleration (10.9 sec) than the 1.8L. This suggests either a heavier vehicle, less optimal gearing, or a different power delivery curve, making it a disappointing choice for performance.
Fuel Economy
The combined fuel consumption of 9.9 l/100 km is notably worse than the 1.8L, without offering a tangible performance benefit in acceleration. This makes it a less economical option for daily use.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Spacious interior and large boot capacity for its class.
- • Competitive pricing offering good value for money.
- • Comfortable ride quality, suitable for longer journeys.
- • Decent standard equipment for its segment and era.
Cons:
- • Uninspired performance, particularly the 2.0L's acceleration figures.
- • Higher than average fuel consumption across the engine lineup.
- • Lack of refinement and dated interior compared to European/Japanese rivals.
- • Limited brand prestige and resale value compared to segment leaders.
- • No Euro NCAP safety rating available for direct comparison.
Specifications:
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Kia |
| Model: | Clarus |
| Generation: | K9A |
| Modification (Engine): | 2.0 i 16V (133 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1996 |
| End of production: | 1998 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 133 Hp @ 6000 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 66.6 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 171 Nm @ 4000 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | FE |
| Engine displacement: | 1998 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC |
| Engine oil capacity: | 4.3 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 86 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 86 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9.2:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 9.9 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 10.9 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 10.9 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 195 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 9.3 kg/Hp, 107.8 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 7.2 kg/Nm, 138.6 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 10.4 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1234 |
| Max. weight: | 1770 |
| Max load: | 536 |
| Trunk (boot) space - maximum: | 764 l |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 424 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 60 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4696 mm mm |
| Width: | 1770 mm mm |
| Height: | 1420 mm mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2659 mm mm |
| Front track: | 1500 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1500 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 195/65R14 |
| Front suspension | Wishbone |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
If you could change one thing about the Kia Clarus, what would it be?