Kia Credos

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.[2][3] The Credos is based on the fifth generation Mazda Capella/Cronos, which was also sold as the Mazda 626.

Kia Credos
1996 Kia Clarus (pre-facelift)
Overview
ManufacturerKia
Also calledKia Clarus (Europe)
Kia Parktown[1] (South Korea, station wagon)
Production1995–2001
AssemblyHwasung Plant, Hwasung, South Korea
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size car
Body style4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
RelatedMazda Capella/Cronos/626
Kia Carnival/Sedona
Powertrain
Engine1.8L Kia T8D Engine I4 petrol
2.0L Mazda F I4 petrol
2.0L Rover KV6 petrol
Transmission5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,665 mm (104.9 in)
Length1995-1998:4,710 mm (185.4 in)
1998-2001: 4,745 mm (186.8 in)
Wagon:4,760 mm (187.4 in)
Width1,780 mm (70.1 in)
HeightSedan: 1,400 mm (55.1 in)
Wagon: 1,480 mm (58.3 in)
Chronology
PredecessorKia Concord
SuccessorKia Optima

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.

The car's interior was described as dull, but spacious and comfortable, as well as the boot being massive. The asking price for the basic 1.8 SX was £11,000, around £4,000 less than the equivalent Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra. In Australia, the Credos was introduced in May 1998, and was available only with the 2.0L engine. Sales totaled 839 units during the model's three-year run.[4]

The Kia Credos was replaced by the Hyundai sourced Optima in September 2000, ending the badge engineered relationship with Mazda.

  • Kia Credos rear (pre-facelift)
    Kia Credos rear (pre-facelift)
  • 1999 Kia Credos (facelift, New Zealand)
    1999 Kia Credos (facelift, New Zealand)
  • Kia Credos rear (facelift)
    Kia Credos rear (facelift)
  • Kia Clarus Station Wagon rear (facelift)
    Kia Clarus Station Wagon rear (facelift)

References
  1. (in Italian) Kia Parktown debut in Geneva 1998
  2. "Kia Credos: Korea Gets Serious About Larger Cars". AutoWeb. Web Publications. 1998-05-21. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
  3. "1998 Kia Credos sedan - Car review - The Car". GoAuto. John Mellor. 2001-05-16. Archived from the original on 2013-11-14. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
  4. VFACTS Australia
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