Kia Capital

Kia Capital: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Kia Capital was offered in one generation from 1989 to 1996, as a Sedan with three listed versions.

The Kia Capital was offered in one generation from 1989 to 1996, as a Sedan with three listed versions. Choosing between them comes down to three clear options: the 73 hp 1.5 MT prioritizes lower measured fuel consumption and lower kerb weight; the 115 hp 1.5 MT delivers the strongest measured performance; and the 115 hp 1.5 AT combines the more powerful engine with an Automatic gearbox, although its performance, fuel-consumption, and kerb-weight figures were not measured. Because two versions share the exact name 1.5 MT, they are distinguished below as the 73 hp 1.5 MT and the 115 hp 1.5 MT.

Kia Capital generations and versions

The Kia Capital has one listed generation, produced from 1989 to 1996. This 1 generation used a Sedan body and included three versions: a 73 hp 1.5 MT, a 115 hp 1.5 MT, and a 115 hp 1.5 AT. There is therefore no choice between generations in the supplied data; the meaningful comparison is between the three powertrain versions within the same generation.

Kia Capital engine and gearbox specs

All three versions use a 1,498 cc Gasoline engine with 4 cylinders in an Inline layout, no boost, a bore and stroke of 78 × 78.4 mm, and 95 fuel. Their output and fuel systems are not identical. The 73 hp 1.5 MT has 2 valves per cylinder, a Carburetor, and a compression ratio of 9.1. Both 115 hp versions have 4 valves per cylinder, Distributed injection (multi-point), and a compression ratio of 9.3.

The 73 hp 1.5 MT produces about 48.7 hp per litre, while the 115 hp 1.5 MT and 115 hp 1.5 AT each produce about 76.8 hp per litre. Moving from the 73 hp engine to either 115 hp engine adds 42 hp and 43 Nm without changing the 1,498 cc displacement. That is approximately 57.5% more power and 39.4% more torque.

The two 115 hp versions have identical listed engine output. Their principal specification difference is the transmission: the 1.5 MT has a 5-speed Manual, whereas the 1.5 AT has a 4-speed Automatic. All versions are FWD.

Kia Capital performance and fuel economy

The 115 hp 1.5 MT is the performance choice on measured figures. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 11 seconds and reaches 180 km/h. The 73 hp 1.5 MT requires 15 seconds and reaches 150 km/h. The stronger Manual is therefore 4 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and has a top speed 30 km/h higher.

Performance for the 115 hp 1.5 AT was not measured: its 0–100 km/h time is not measured, and its top speed is not measured. Although its engine matches the 115 hp 1.5 MT for power and torque, the supplied data does not support assuming that the two versions perform identically.

The 73 hp 1.5 MT uses 2 L/100 km less in the city, 0.8 L/100 km less on the highway, and 2.2 L/100 km less on the combined cycle than the 115 hp 1.5 MT. In percentage terms, the 115 hp Manual’s measured combined consumption is about 30.1% higher. The trade-off is direct: the 73 hp Manual has the lower measured consumption, while the 115 hp Manual supplies substantially more power and quicker measured acceleration.

Fuel economy for the 115 hp 1.5 AT is not measured in city, highway, and combined driving. It should not be selected on an assumption that its consumption matches either Manual version.

Kia Capital dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank size

The supplied specifications do not include exterior length, width, or height, so each of those dimensions is not measured for all three versions. Gross weight is also not measured throughout the range.

The 115 hp 1.5 MT is 335 kg heavier than the 73 hp 1.5 MT. Even so, its weight-to-power ratio is about 11.5 kg per hp, compared with about 13.6 kg per hp for the 73 hp version. This helps explain why the 115 hp Manual has the stronger measured acceleration despite its higher kerb weight.

Every version has 155 mm of ground clearance and a 60 L fuel tank. Wheel sizes are not measured for all three versions. The 115 hp 1.5 AT has no measured kerb weight, so a weight-to-power comparison with the Manual versions cannot be calculated from the supplied data.

Chassis and brake differences

All three versions have Independent, spring suspension at both the front and rear. Each also uses Ventilated disc front brakes.

The rear brakes separate the lower-output car from the two 115 hp versions. The 73 hp 1.5 MT has Disc rear brakes, while the 115 hp 1.5 MT and 115 hp 1.5 AT have Drum rear brakes. This is a specification difference rather than a basis for unsupported claims about braking distance, which was not measured.

Which Kia Capital version should you buy?

Choose the 73 hp 1.5 MT when measured fuel economy is the priority. Its combined consumption is 7.3 L/100 km, compared with 9.5 L/100 km for the 115 hp 1.5 MT, and its kerb weight is 990 kg rather than 1,325 kg. The compromise is performance: 0–100 km/h takes 15 seconds, and top speed is 150 km/h. Its engine also uses a Carburetor, 2 valves per cylinder, and produces 109 Nm.

Choose the 115 hp 1.5 MT when you want the best-supported performance case. It combines 115 hp and 152 Nm with a 5-speed Manual, reaches 100 km/h in 11 seconds, and has a 180 km/h top speed. Compared with the 73 hp Manual, it provides 42 additional hp, 43 additional Nm, a 4-second improvement in acceleration, and 30 km/h more top speed. What those gains cost in measured terms is 2.2 L/100 km more combined fuel consumption and 335 kg more kerb weight.

Choose the 115 hp 1.5 AT specifically when the 4-speed Automatic is the deciding requirement. It retains the 115 hp, 152 Nm, 1,498 cc engine with Distributed injection (multi-point), but its acceleration, top speed, consumption, and kerb weight are all not measured. Consequently, the available numbers cannot show whether it is quicker, slower, more economical, or less economical than the 115 hp 1.5 MT.

For the clearest all-round choice based strictly on measured specifications, the 115 hp 1.5 MT offers the strongest performance and a better weight-to-power ratio than the 73 hp 1.5 MT. For the lowest measured consumption, the 73 hp 1.5 MT is the better fit. The 115 hp 1.5 AT is the transmission-led choice, but it carries the greatest uncertainty because several comparison figures were not measured.