Kia Joice

Kia Joice: Which Version Should You Choose?

The Kia Joice was produced from 1999 to 2004 as a Compact Van in a single generation. Its six listed versions are all front-wheel-drive Gasoline models with naturally aspirated inline four-cylinder engines, but their specifications are not interchangeable. The main choice is between a 5-speed Manual and a 4-speed Automatic, followed by engine output—120 or 139 hp—and displacement—1975 or 1997 cc.

The Kia Joice was produced from 1999 to 2004 as a Compact Van in a single generation. Its six listed versions are all front-wheel-drive Gasoline models with naturally aspirated inline four-cylinder engines, but their specifications are not interchangeable. The main choice is between a 5-speed Manual and a 4-speed Automatic, followed by engine output—120 or 139 hp—and displacement—1975 or 1997 cc. For the strongest performance and lowest stated fuel consumption, the 139 hp 2.0 MT is the leading choice. The 120 hp 2.0 MT is slightly quicker from 0 to 100 km/h, however, while buyers who require an Automatic must accept slower acceleration and higher consumption.

Kia Joice generations and versions

Kia offered one Joice generation from 1999 to 2004. This 1 generation used a Compact Van body and comprised six listed versions. Because several entries share the names 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT, they must be distinguished by output, displacement, torque, fuel grade, or consumption figures.

There are three Manual entries: a 139 hp 2.0 MT with 1975 cc and 162 Nm, a 120 hp 2.0 MT with 1997 cc and 182 Nm, and a 139 hp 2.0 MT with 1997 cc and 182 Nm. The Automatic range contains a 120 hp 2.0 AT with 1997 cc and 182 Nm, a 139 hp 2.0 AT with 1997 cc and 182 Nm, and a 139 hp 2.0 AT with 1975 cc and 162 Nm.

Kia Joice engine and transmission specs

Every version has a front, transverse Gasoline engine with four Inline cylinders, four valves per cylinder, distributed injection (multi-point), no boost, and FWD. The Manual versions have five gears, whereas every Automatic has four.

The 120 hp engines produce about 60.1 hp per litre, while the 139 hp 1997 cc engine produces about 69.6 hp per litre. The 139 hp 1975 cc engine is marginally higher at about 70.4 hp per litre. The 139 hp choices therefore provide roughly 9.5–10.3 more hp per litre than the 120 hp versions.

Torque does not always rise with power. Both 1997 cc, 139 hp versions make 182 Nm at 4800 rpm—the same peak torque figure as the 120 hp, 1997 cc versions. The 1975 cc, 139 hp entries instead produce 162 Nm at 4900 rpm, which is 20 Nm less and arrives 100 rpm later. Compression ratio and bore-and-stroke are 9.5 and 86 × 86 only for the 1997 cc, 139 hp 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT; those measurements are not measured for the other four entries.

Kia Joice performance and fuel economy

The quickest stated version is the 120 hp 2.0 MT, reaching 100 km/h in 12.3 seconds. It is 0.5 seconds quicker than either 139 hp 2.0 MT, despite its lower output. All Manual versions reach 175 km/h, which is 5 km/h more than the 170 km/h maximum of every Automatic.

For economy, all three 2.0 MT entries return 9.7 L/100 km combined. Their city figures occupy a narrow 13.2–13.4 L/100 km range, and their highway figures range from 7.5 to 7.6 L/100 km. The 120 hp 2.0 AT records 10.1 L/100 km combined, only 0.4 L/100 km above the Manuals. Its 14 L/100 km city and 8 L/100 km highway results are also lower than those of both 139 hp Automatic entries.

The two 139 hp 2.0 AT versions consume 11.4 L/100 km combined, 15.4 L/100 km in the city, and 9.5 L/100 km on the highway. Compared with a 139 hp 2.0 MT, choosing either 139 hp Automatic adds 1.7 L/100 km combined, 2 L/100 km in the city, and 2 L/100 km on the highway. Acceleration is 1.8 seconds slower, while top speed falls by 5 km/h.

CO₂ output is not measured for every version. The 120 hp 2.0 MT and 120 hp 2.0 AT are listed as Euro 2; the emissions class of the four 139 hp versions is not measured.

Kia Joice dimensions, weight, and capacity

All six versions have 170 mm of ground clearance and a 60-litre fuel tank. Wheel sizes are not measured for any version. Both the front and rear suspension are Independent, spring designs, while the front brakes are Ventilated disc on every version.

The 1975 cc, 139 hp 2.0 MT has a kerb weight of 1350 kg and a gross weight of 2070 kg. The 120 hp 2.0 MT and 120 hp 2.0 AT each weigh 1425 kg at the kerb and 2070 kg gross. Kerb weight is not measured for either 139 hp 2.0 AT. Gross weight is not measured for the 1997 cc, 139 hp 2.0 MT or the 1997 cc, 139 hp 2.0 AT. The 1975 cc, 139 hp 2.0 AT has a gross weight of 2070 kg, but its kerb weight is not measured.

Where weight is available, the 1975 cc, 139 hp 2.0 MT carries about 9.7 kg per horsepower. Each 1425 kg, 120 hp version carries about 11.9 kg per horsepower. The known 139 hp Manual therefore has approximately 2.2 fewer kilograms per horsepower and is 75 kg lighter than the two measured 120 hp versions.

Rear brake specification varies. The 120 hp 2.0 MT and 120 hp 2.0 AT use Disc rear brakes, while the four 139 hp entries use ventilated rear discs.

Which Kia Joice version should you buy?

For the best balance of output, consumption, and measured weight, choose the 139 hp 2.0 MT with 1975 cc and 162 Nm. It combines 139 hp with a 1350 kg kerb weight, 12.8-second acceleration, 175 km/h top speed, and 9.7 L/100 km combined consumption. It also uses 92 fuel. Its main numerical disadvantage is torque: 162 Nm is 20 Nm below the 182 Nm delivered by every 1997 cc version.

The 1997 cc, 139 hp 2.0 MT is the alternative when the higher 182 Nm torque figure matters. It retains the same 12.8-second acceleration, 175 km/h maximum, and 9.7 L/100 km combined result as the other 139 hp Manual, but uses 95 fuel. Its kerb and gross weights are not measured, so a complete power-to-weight comparison is not possible.

Choose the 120 hp 2.0 MT if the quickest recorded 0–100 km/h time is the priority. Its 12.3-second result beats both 139 hp Manuals by 0.5 seconds, and its combined consumption remains 9.7 L/100 km. It also provides 182 Nm and uses 92 fuel, though it has 19 hp less than the 139 hp versions and weighs 75 kg more than the measured 139 hp Manual.

For buyers who specifically want an Automatic, the 120 hp 2.0 AT is the economy choice. All three Automatics take 14.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h and top out at 170 km/h, so the 139 hp entries provide no advantage in the stated acceleration or maximum-speed figures. The 120 hp Automatic consumes 10.1 L/100 km combined, saving 1.3 L/100 km against either 139 hp Automatic, and it uses 92 fuel.

The two 139 hp 2.0 AT versions are harder to justify from the recorded performance and economy data alone. Both match the 120 hp Automatic at 14.6 seconds and 170 km/h but consume 11.4 L/100 km combined. Between them, the 1997 cc version supplies 182 Nm and uses 95 fuel, while the 1975 cc version supplies 162 Nm and uses 92 fuel. Their kerb weights are not measured, preventing a weight-per-horsepower comparison.

On the supplied figures, the Manual gearbox is the clearest dividing line: it brings quicker acceleration, a higher maximum speed, and lower combined consumption. The 139 hp 2.0 MT is the strongest all-round selection, the 120 hp 2.0 MT owns the best stated acceleration, and the 120 hp 2.0 AT is the most economical Automatic.