No Budget Reviews: 1992 Kia Pride 1.3 LX (Ford Festiva/Mazda 121) - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

-One 1992 Kia Pride 1.3 LX
-One Mobile Phone
-No Fancy Outfits
-No Obscure In-Jokes (Actually, maybe just a couple)
-No DSLRs
-No Shotgun Microphones
-No Fluid Head Tripods
-No Idea about Exposure
-No Budget Whatsoever

It is time for the newest instalment in that beloved cinematic automotive YouTube experience where we film practical cars that can be bought for less than £1,000 in a manner befitting of their inexpensive value! This may go horribly wrong...

This time, as we test a rare 1992 Kia Pride 1.3 LX (yes, it is the same one from the idriveaclassic channel) and we start to see some obscure in jokes creeping in. Join us as we take a perilous journey up the A3 with some severe vibration, coax a mighty 63 bhp out of a Mazda B Series engine, investigate a very old tape deck and an unexpected remote boot release, get stuck trying to come out of a junction, feel a bit old and we do not get the indicator and wiper stalks confused for a change. Nothing untoward, then...

As an independent vehicle consultant, I take potential buyers through the whole car buying process from choosing a make and model to a vehicle handover and road tax. In addition to information on this service, I also have a selection of written and video reviews of cars that I have owned, hired, borrowed or have somehow come into my possession. Please use the Contact Me page on my website to get in touch, visit my Facebook page for latest updates and share this video if you like it! Thank you for watching.

[co_nut_co_nut]

I absolutely love these late 1980's to early 1990's cheap cars, not very safe, but very economical and cheap to maintain!

[lVlonkberry]

Haha! I'm living in Iran at the moment, can confirm this is the most popular car you will find literally anywhere. I think I could shine some light on the modern variants, which are now being manufactured in varying froms under several new names.

First, the Renault 5 / Pride hybrid, is called the Renault PK. It's an absolute monstrosity of a car-ish motor vehicle, that looks like the body of a Renault 5 strapped onto the chassis of a first generation Kia Pride. Ironically, lives up to the description as well. Pictures:

The Pride's platform was facelifted and reformed many times, they even made a pickup! I own a last generation of the 111, aka, the classic hatchback. The interior has been redone for the sixth time, fuel injection, engine generates about 70HP, hydraulic steering, powered front windows, adjustable headlights, mist lights, two front airbags, and it's Euro 4 compliant.

The ride is, absolutely terrible. Shocks have broken many times over speedbumps at 30Kmh, radio gets reset every time the car starts due to crappy electrical design, no beeps or indicators if your engine is burning to hell, and the rear windows can be pulled down with enough spit applied to your hands, while the front ones barely work after a few years. It's outrageously overpriced as like everything else in this country, and yet we still buy them, as there aren't any cheaper options.

And... to the new death traps!

There's the Saipa Tiba and Tiba 2. Basically another facelift, same car honestly. This is the first facelift to completely change the interior and exterior, while everything else remains the same. No other features other than an even higher price tag, pics:

The Tiba is a sedan, while the Tiba 2 is a hatchback, which actually doesn't look too bad once blessed with a grain of rice. Again, pics:

At last, there's the latest, heavily modified variant, the Saipa Saina and Quick. Saina is a sedan, while Quick is a lifted hatchback. This generation had the most changes in the lineup, which allows them to be considered a new model built on the same platform. Actually, here's the feature-sheet for a fully configured Saina, translated:

Certified for Euro 5
Inline-4 1500cc, 87HP, 128Nm
CVT Automatic Transmission
Electronic Steering
Cruise control
Speed ​​limiter
Keyless ignition system
Keyless entry system
Semi-automatic air conditioning system
Rear view camera with parking sensor
Entertainment System with Navigation
Displays the ambient temperature outside
Audio controls on the steering wheel
Tire pressure monitoring system
Gear status indicator
Anti-theft system and Immobilizer
Follow me home headlights
Equipped with ABS and EBD braking system
Tilt adjust for front headrests
Leather chairs
Driver's seat with manual adjustment in 6 directions
Front passenger seat with manual adjustment in 4 directions
Driver and front passenger airbags
Height-adjustable front seatbelts
Electrically adjustable side mirrors
Height-adjustable headlights
Front and rear fog lights
Electric front and rear windows
Factory tinted windows


Unfortunately, they do indeed still feel and handle like a 30 year old pride. But given the small price gap at just 4/3 the price of a new Saipa 111, it actually seems like a good deal!

Also, about the original pride, production never stopped. Iran is now focusing on these newer models, with Tiba being the budget offering and Saina / Quick becoming feature rich alternatives, the production line of the Pride was sold to Wallys in Tunisia, where production is still going on in 2021 with another facelift. More info:

[trabali]

rear wash/wipe and rev counter, yay!! white walled tyres were common on these cars if i remember correctly, i also remember they were £3, 999 new! Oh and i think the sunroof is after market, and even Iran doesnt want them I love them just for the novelty!!!!

[r.t.g]

Lovely watch of a well documented car. I’ve got a turquoise LX 3-door on an L plate and I often use it to dart between the north and south of the country, and it sits perfectly fine at 65-70mph! 48mpg+ is the real reason I put up with it 🤣

[seancooke]

Really enjoyed the wiper noise. Lol my mate Marty is very touchy about noisy wiper blades, does his head in so much that he bins perfectly good ones if they make a noise. Loved these, especially with the white walls and the spacious airy look. In 1991 I had a 5 year old Peugeot 205 XL. I couldn't afford a new 205 but the Kia Pride was definitely on my list. Interesting that you didn't mention the bouncy ride that the journos knocked them for. Thank you Mr Lloyd and Jude. 👍 excellent.

[frothe]

Facts are spot on as usual! Extremely rare as the Ford Festiva, which came in an L or LX, and only as a three door. This is around the time of the Geo Metro/Suzuki Swift, both entry-level small economy cars.
I would assume the small grill badge is because they put on other badges like Ford at the time of manufacture.
I would have Jude check the balance of the tyres if it vibrates at highway speeds, for safety reasons.
I'm liking your channel more and more! And yes, I remember when Steph took this out for a drive, I was shocked and surprised, I never saw this as a KIA much less a five door!

[ORichard]

I searched for Sao Penza and found this video, I remember Jude found the last remaining Sao Penza which is currently SORN. I only ever saw one of those in 1995 and those cars were based on the Mazda 323 BF. I’ve see a couple of these 121 / pride cars around but they were not well made and most are now sadly scrapped. Asia Rocsta that brings back memories, I remember seeing Mahindra jeeps too and those are almost extinct.

[PlanetautoUK]

We’ve been looking forward to this, so much potential for mods, slammed with wide small wheels, looks fantastic as standard too, simple styling and rather tall windows too. Great example.

[DavidJohnston]

Mmm, I think you will find that Mr Richardson would consider that cassette is sitting in the "dips tray" "teashelf" alongside! 😂

Am a Kia fan, Pride was good little car, I had couple Picanto auto learner cars over the years, daughter still drives one which is 15 years old now and abused, seems to take the abuse.

[alansimpson]

I can see exactly why Kia chose this car as their start point. Reliable Japanese tech, compact yet roomy for such a small footprint and very easy to drive with all that glass. Plus basic enough that you have to drive it and feel part of the process. There's something very likeable about it.

I loved the Japanese fondness for an upright rear wiper on a small car too. Very like the K11 Micra and the mid 90s Toyota Starlet

[colinhicks]

I remember these coming out in NZ in the late 80s. Cars this small weren’t that popular at the time. We didn’t not get the Mirca until unofficial imports started.
One of the options was a full length fabric sunroof. It was aimed at younger buyers as one of the pictures was a surf board half in the back and sticking out through the roof.

[matthewsugden]

I learnt to drive in one of these in 1993, it wasn't that bad back then. I'd buy one if I could find one!

[kianoushsalehi]

these are still made brand new in iran they face lifed it and its actually expensive to buy one new

[David_H-]

I had forgotten about that old style Kia badge, they didn't seem overly proud of it as its almost hidden on the front grille. One of the better budget small cars for it's time. Having said that I would rather of had a low spec Rover Metro for similar money!

[Mouse]

I remember these but not seen one in over a decade

[haitch]

The range of cars you are covering in "No Budget Reviews" is Great. Was the Kia Pride instantly forgettable? well I had forgotten it but it did fall into the category of a runabout and a pretty reliable one at that in its day. As everyday school run / shopping transport, the little Kia did it's job.

[Dynamic_Entry]

From thus to tge kia stinger. Kia always makes good cars.

[AshrafonCars]

Looks surprisingly roomy in the back there, but otherwise perhaps not my kind of car!

[alaricbragg]

It was funny how they called it the Ford Festiva in New Zealand. Puzzling that they just did not call it the Fiesta!

[terence]

Ideal for carrying sticks apparently.😊