Manufacturer Kia Motors Class Minivan/Minibus | Production 1995–2006 | |
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Also called Kia Besta GS (Brazil)
Kia Pregio Grand Assembly South Korea: Gwangju (Gwangju Plant)
Malaysia: Gurun (NAM) Body style 4-door panel van
4-door minibus | ||
The Kia Pregio is a rear-wheel drive minivan and minibus based on the Kia Bongo and manufactured by Kia Motors from November 1995 until the beginning of 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.
Contents
Overview
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 only built 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.
Late in its life, a 2.5 L (2,476 cc) intercooled turbodiesel 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 142 km/h (88 mph). 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. 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.
Facelift model
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, while similarly-sized and with a short-wheelbase front-wheel drive Kia Carnival/Sedona (originally the Carnival/Sedona was sold only in long-wheelbase).
In Indonesia, a locally manufactured coachvan version of the Bongo III replaced the Pregio, it is marketed as the Kia Travello.