The Kia Retona is a small mini SUV manufactured and marketed by Kia, a South Korean carmaker from 1998 to 2003.
History of the Kia Retona
The Kia Retona is a small mini SUV based on Kia's military jeeps. The name is a portmanteau of return to nature. Developed by Asia Motors, the car was initially sold as the "Asia Retona" in some markets. The Retona had been using the same platform as the first-generation Kia Sportage Convertible. Its competitors included the Lada Niva, Suzuki Jimny, and the SsangYong Korando. A 2006 survey of German owners by the magazine Auto Bild found that the Retona was "abysmally" unreliable.
Price
The price range for a used Kia Retona varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at €1,387 ($1,502) and going to €7,990 ($8,653) for the latest year the model was manufactured.
Specs and Performance of the Kia Retona
- 2.0 L FE-DOHC I4 (Mazda)
- 2.0 L RT turbodiesel I4
The Kia Retona's 2.0L engine delivers 82 hp (61 kW) at 4,000 rpm and 141 lb-ft (191 Nm) of torque at 2,000 rpm. Kia marketed the Retona as a four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle, and it was available with a Mazda A44DE (Aisin Warner AW03-72LE) 4-speed automatic transmission. Kia Retona accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (0–97 kph) in 19 seconds with a top speed of 83 mph (134 kph). Dimension-wise, the Kia Retona measures 4,025 mm (158.5 in) long, 1,745 mm (68.7 in) wide, and 1,835 mm (72.2 in) high. Its wheelbase measures 2,360 mm (92.9 in) and has a curb weight of 3,362 lbs (1,525 kg).
Release Date
Kia first released the Kia Retona in 1998 to replace the Asia Rocsta. The Retona was discontinued after the 2003 model year to make way for the new Kia Sportage.