KIA Classic 1st Generation Price in Pakistan, Pictures & Reviews

Kia, the famous South Korean car brand, has had a long history with the Pakistani auto industry. The company has made three attempts to make it in the local market. During its second attempt, one of the cars Kia brought to Pakistan was the Kia Classic. It was a locally produced 1300cc sedan known by three different names, Kia Pride, Kia Classic, and Kia NGV. The car is no longer in production. There are only used versions of this subcompact sedan in Pakistan. The most popular one is the Kia Classic 2005 model.

History of Kia Classic in Pakistan

The history of Kia Classic is related to the history of Kia. It all dates back to the 90s when Kia made a failed debut in the Pakistani automobile market with Naya Daur Motors. Later in 1998, the Korean car brand made a comeback in collaboration with Dewan Farooque Motor Company Limited (DFML). That time, they introduced the Kia Classic.

It was the first car to roll off the DFML assembly plant in the year 2000. Kia Classic was the sedan version of the famous Kia hatchback, Kia Pride. It was powered by a 1.3-liter Mazda B3 engine with a 5-speed manual transmission.

In the beginning, Kia Classic was a decent and practical subcompact sedan with a reasonable price tag. As the years went by, its success didn’t last. By 2005, its sales dropped to 400 units per year. 

Kia Classic was discontinued in Pakistan when DFML went bankrupt and Kia had to pack up and leave the country. Hence, we now see only a handful of Kia Classic cars on the roads of Pakistan. 

Exterior

The design language of Kia Classic basically comes from Mazda design studios. This design was continuously upgraded through several facelifts. The standard exterior features of this vehicle are body-colored bumpers with impact absorption, body-side protection strips, front and rear mud flaps, 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

Although it is a subcompact car, the driver cabin is made really spacious and comfortable. There's 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

As Kia Classic is majorly based on Mazda technology, its engine also comes from the Japanese automaker. Pakistani Kia Classic has a 1.3-liter Mazda BJ four-cylinder engine producing up to 88 horsepower and 117 Nm torque mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. The engine was available in both petrol and CNG options. 

Competition

During its production years, this small Kia car was up against Honda City, Suzuki Margalla, and Toyota Corolla XLi and GLi.  

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable sedan car

• Powerful engine

Cons

• Unavailability of parts

• Poor resale