Kia Pregio

Last updated
Kia Pregio
2005 Kia Pregio (CT2 MY05) van.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Kia
Also called
  • Kia Besta GS (Brazil)
  • Kia Pregio Grand
  • Kia Bongo III Coach (South Korea)
Production1995–2006
Assembly
Body and chassis
Class Light commercial vehicle
Body style
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related Kia Bongo
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,580 mm (101.6 in)
Length4,900 mm (192.9 in)
Width1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Height1,970 mm (77.6 in)
Chronology
Predecessor Kia Besta
Successor Kia Travello (Indonesia)

The Kia Pregio is a rear-wheel drive cabover van and minibus based on the Kia Bongo and manufactured by Kia from November 1995 to 2006. It replaced the previous Bongo-based van, sold as the "Besta" in most markets. At one point, it slotted between the Kia Carens and the larger, front-wheel drive Kia Carnival/Sedona. The long-wheelbase version was known as the Kia Pregio Grand. The Kia Pregio Grand is a best selling van in Latin American countries such as Colombia and Ecuador because of its high passenger capacity in its segment (16-19 passengers).

Contents

Overview

Kia Pregio (first generation) (front), Serdang.jpg
Kia Pregio (first generation) (rear), Serdang.jpg
Kia Pregio (CT, Malaysia)

The original Besta had been receiving a lot of complaints due to engine problems, so when a new minivan was developed utilizing the more modern technology of the updated Bongo J2, it was decided to give it a new name. Thus, the Pregio appeared in 1995, with the 2.7 L (2,665 cc) diesel engine of the Bongo J2. The original Pregio received updates in 1998, 2000, and 2002. From 1997 a 3.0 OHV diesel engine with 90 PS (66 kW) was also available and in 2001 a 4-speed automatic transmission was added. For export markets, right-hand drive Pregios were built only in panel van form. The front suspension is independent with coil springs and double wishbones, while at the rear a live axle with elliptic leaf springs is found, to save space and to handle heavy loads. Disc brakes up front and drums at the rear were standard in Europe at least. [1]

Late in its life, a 2.5 L (2,476 cc) intercooled turbo-diesel engine of Mitsubishi origins (called TCi) was made available in European market Pregios. This 94 PS (69 kW) unit could pass Euro III emissions standards for commercial vehicles and the van version could reach a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). [1] While earlier Kias had been using Mazda engineering, Hyundai's 1998 takeover meant that Mitsubishi parts found their way into Kia's vehicles. By late 2003 the Pregio underwent a thorough facelift.

In some markets, such as Brazil, the original Besta had developed a very good reputation and had redefined a minivan market where its only competition was the antediluvian (in production since 1950) Volkswagen Kombi. [2] Thus the new Pregio was marketed as the "Kia Besta GS" in Brazil from August 1997. There was no need to change the name, even though Besta means "beast" in most Latin tongues, readily lending itself to jokes. The Besta not only dominated the minivan market; it was Brazil's highest selling import vehicle of all types from 1997 until 2001. [2]

Facelift model

Kia Pregio (CT2, Malaysia) Kia Pregio (second generation) (rear), Kuala Lumpur.jpg
Kia Pregio (CT2, Malaysia)

A different looking Pregio debuted in late 2003, largely a facelift of the first model which could pass stricter European safety demands. It continued until its demise in 2006, due to dropping demand. The Pregio/Pregio Grand was dropped after the 2006 model year to make room for the more passenger-oriented, similarly-sized, short-wheelbase, front-wheel drive Kia Carnival/Sedona (originally the Carnival/Sedona was sold only in long-wheelbase). In South Korea, it was locally manufactured as the Kia Bongo III Coach.

In Indonesia, a locally manufactured coach van version of the Bongo III replaced the Pregio; it was marketed as the Kia Travello.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minivan</span> Type of van designed for private use

Minivan is a car classification for vehicles designed to transport passengers in the rear seating row(s), with reconfigurable seats in two or three rows. The equivalent classification in Europe is MPV or M-segment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Transit</span> Range of light commercial vehicles produced by Ford

The Ford Transit is a family of light commercial vehicles manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since 1965, primarily as a cargo van, but also available in other configurations including a large passenger van, cutaway van chassis, and a pickup truck. The vehicle is also known as the Ford T-Series, a nomenclature shared with Ford's other light commercial vehicles, the Ford F-Series trucks, and the Ford E-Series chassis. As of 2015, 8 million Transit vans have been sold, making it the third best-selling van of all time and has been produced across four basic platform generations, with various "facelift" versions of each.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault Trafic</span> Light commercial vehicle

The Renault Trafic is a light commercial van produced by the French automaker Renault since 1980. It has also been marketed as the Fiat Talento, the Nissan NV300, the Nissan Primastar and the Mitsubishi Express. Until 2018, it was also sold as the Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro by Opel and its associated company Vauxhall. From early 2022 onwards, the van is also marketed by Renault Trucks as the Renault Trucks Trafic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mazda Bongo</span> Light commercial vehicle manufactured by Mazda

The Mazda Bongo, also known as Mazda E-Series and the Ford Econovan, is a cabover van and pickup truck manufactured by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Mazda since 1966. The Bongo name was also used for the Bongo Friendee, which is not a cabover design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kia Sportage</span> Motor vehicle

The Kia Sportage is a lineup of sport utility vehicles manufactured by the South Korean manufacturer Kia since 1993 through five generations. Initially a compact SUV built on a body-on-frame chassis, the second-generation Sportage transitioned to a car-based platform which placed it into the compact crossover SUV class, and has been developed alongside the Hyundai Tucson. Since the fifth-generation model launched in 2021, Kia developed the Sportage in two sizes with different wheelbase lengths for different markets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Previa</span> Multi-purpose vehicle (MPV)

The Toyota Previa, also known as the Toyota Estima in Japan, and Toyota Tarago in Australia, is a minivan that was produced by Toyota from 1990 until October 2019 across three generations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan Vanette</span> Motor vehicle

The Nissan Vanette is a cabover van and pickup truck produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan from 1978 until 2011. The first two generations were engineered by Nissan's Aichi Manufacturing Division for private, personal ownership, with the last two generations built by Mazda, rebadged as Nissans and refocused as commercial vehicles, based on the Mazda Bongo. The van has also been sold as the Nissan Sunny-Vanette or Nissan Van. The private purchase passenger platform was replaced by the Nissan Serena in 1991, renamed Vanette in various international markets, and came equipped with multiple engine and drivetrain configurations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan AD</span> Motor vehicle

The Nissan AD is a subcompact van and wagon built by Nissan since 1982. The AD is sold under a different name when manufactured as a passenger car, called the Nissan Wingroad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault Master</span> Series of vans

The Renault Master is a large van produced by the French manufacturer Renault since 1980, now in its third generation. It replaced the earlier Renault Super Goélette light trucks. Opel has sold versions of the second and third series vans as the Opel Movano in Continental Europe and Vauxhall Movano in the United Kingdom. All three generations have been designed and manufactured by Renault, irrespective of the brand. Renault Trucks markets it as the Renault Trucks Master.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kia Carnival</span> Minivan by Kia

The Kia Carnival is a minivan manufactured by Kia since 1998. It was marketed globally under various nameplates, prominently as the Kia Sedona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitsubishi Chariot</span> Motor vehicle

The Mitsubishi Chariot is an automobile manufactured and marketed by Mitsubishi from 1983 to 2003. It is a small multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Based on the SSW concept car first exhibited at the 23rd Tokyo Motor Show in 1979, the MPV derives its nameplate from chariots used by the ancient Greek and Roman empires.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitsubishi Pajero</span> Motor vehicle

The Mitsubishi Pajero is a full-size SUV manufactured and marketed globally by Mitsubishi over four generations — introduced in 1981 and discontinued in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota HiAce</span> Light commercial vehicle manufactured by Toyota

The Toyota HiAce is a light commercial vehicle produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. First launched in October 1967, the HiAce has since been available in a wide range of body configurations, including a minivan/MPV, minibus, panel van, crew van, pickup truck, taxi and an ambulance. In Japan, the HiAce is exclusive to Toyopet Store locations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kia Bongo</span> Motor vehicle

The Kia Bongo, also known as the Kia K-Series or Kia Besta, is a cabover pickup truck and van produced by the South Korean automobile manufacturer Kia since 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitsubishi Delica</span> Range of vans and pickup trucks

The Mitsubishi Delica is a range of vans and pickup trucks designed and built by the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors since 1968. It was originally based on a cabover van and pickup truck introduced the previous year, also called the Delica, its name a contraction of the English language phrase Delivery car. This pickup truck, and a commercial van derived from it has received many names in export markets, being sold as the L300 in Europe, Jamaica and New Zealand, Express and Starwagon in Australia, and plain Mitsubishi Van and Wagon in the United States. The passenger car versions were known as Delica Star Wagon from 1979 until the 1994 introduction of the Delica Space Gear, which became simply Space Gear in Europe at least. The most recent version is called the Delica D:5. With the exception of the first, versions of all generations are still being sold in various international markets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan Serena</span> Minivan

The Nissan Serena is a minivan manufactured by Nissan, joining the slightly larger Vanette. The car was engineered by Nissan's Aichi Manufacturing Division and launched in 1991 as a compact passenger van, and it grew larger with each generation over the years. Earlier versions were front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with a live axle mounted on leaf springs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Carry</span> Kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki

The Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the passenger van versions were renamed as the Suzuki Every. In Japan, the Carry and Every are kei cars but the Suzuki Every Plus, the bigger version of Every, had a longer bonnet for safety purposes and a larger 1.3-liter 86-hp (63 kW) four-cylinder engine. They have been sold under myriad different names in several countries, including those with Chevrolet and Ford badges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Starex</span> Motor vehicle

The Hyundai Starex is a series of light commercial vehicles built by Hyundai. First-generation models were known in Europe as the Hyundai H-1, and in the Netherlands as the Hyundai H200. The cargo variant of the second-generation models was marketed as the Hyundai iLoad in Australia and the United Kingdom. The second-generation passenger variant was marketed as the Hyundai iMax in Australia, and as the Hyundai i800 in the United Kingdom. In Europe, the cargo variant was marketed as the Hyundai H-1 Cargo, while the passenger variant was marketed as the Hyundai H-1 Travel. In the Netherlands, it is called the Hyundai H300. In Malaysia, the passenger variant of the H300 is only sold as a fleet vehicle, and the cargo variant is marketed as the Hyundai StarexRoyale in a Minivan configuration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mazda Premacy</span> Japanese automobile

The Mazda Premacy is a passenger minivan that was built by the Japanese manufacturer Mazda from 1999 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CMC Veryca</span> Taiwanese truck

The CMC Veryca (中華菱利) or CMC Varica (中華百利/中華威利) is a cabover kei truck and microvan built and sold in Taiwan by the Taiwanese automaker China Motor Corporation (CMC) (中華汽車) since 1985, with its predecessor entering production in 1978.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kia Pregio". Autosieger: Das Auto-Magazin (in German). 2003-11-02. Archived from the original on 2004-12-26.
  2. 1 2 "Saiba mais, tudo sobre a Kia Besta de 1993 a 2005" [Know more: Everything about the 1993-2005 Kia Besta]. Encontracarros.com (in Portuguese). 2013-01-09. Retrieved 2013-03-14.