Kia Retona: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Kia Retona choice comes down to engine character and transmission. Every listed Retona is an AWD, SUV 3-doors with a 1,998 cc Inline engine, 200 mm of ground clearance, a 53-liter fuel tank, Independent, spring suspension at both ends, Disc front brakes, and Drum rear brakes.
The Kia Retona choice comes down to engine character and transmission. Every listed Retona is an AWD, SUV 3-doors with a 1,998 cc Inline engine, 200 mm of ground clearance, a 53-liter fuel tank, Independent, spring suspension at both ends, Disc front brakes, and Drum rear brakes. The 1998–2000 original model offers the broadest selection, with seven versions, while the 2000–2003 restyling has four. Buyers prioritizing acceleration should consider the 135 hp or 136 hp 2.0 MT; those wanting the lowest listed kerb weight should look at the 128 hp 2.0 MT; and buyers seeking a Diesel with Automatic transmission can choose an 83 hp 2.0 AT in either production period.
Kia Retona generations and version differences
The 1998–2000 Kia Retona is the original 1 generation and comes exclusively as an SUV 3-doors. Its seven versions comprise four Diesel choices and three Gasoline choices. Diesel output is either 83 hp with 191 Nm or 87 hp with 200 Nm. Gasoline output is 128 hp or 136 hp. Manual versions use a 5-speed gearbox, while Automatic versions have 4 speeds; every version has AWD.
The 2000–2003 Kia Retona is the restyling within the same 1 generation, not a separate generation. It remains an SUV 3-doors but reduces the range to four versions: an 83 hp Diesel with either Manual or Automatic transmission, plus 128 hp and 135 hp Gasoline versions with Manual transmission. Compared with the original range, the restyling data no longer lists the 87 hp Diesel, the 128 hp Gasoline 2.0 AT, or the 136 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT. Instead, its strongest listed version is a 135 hp 2.0 MT.
Kia Retona engine specs
Because several versions share the exact names 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT, power and production period are essential when identifying them.
| Period and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–2000 2.0 AT, 83 hp | 83 hp at 4,000 rpm | 191 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 1,998 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 4-speed | AWD |
| 1998–2000 2.0 MT, 83 hp | 83 hp at 4,000 rpm | 191 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 1,998 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| 1998–2000 2.0 MT, 87 hp | 87 hp at 4,000 rpm | 200 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 1,998 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| 1998–2000 2.0 AT, 87 hp | 87 hp at 4,000 rpm | 200 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 1,998 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 4-speed | AWD |
| 1998–2000 2.0 MT, 128 hp | 128 hp at 5,400 rpm | 175 Nm at 4,700 rpm | 1,998 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| 1998–2000 2.0 AT, 128 hp | 128 hp at 5,300 rpm | 175 Nm at 4,700 rpm | 1,998 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4-speed | AWD |
| 1998–2000 2.0 MT, 136 hp | 136 hp at 6,000 rpm | 181 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 1,998 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| 2000–2003 2.0 AT, 83 hp | 83 hp at 4,000 rpm | 191 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 1,998 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 4-speed | AWD |
| 2000–2003 2.0 MT, 83 hp | 83 hp at 4,000 rpm | 191 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 1,998 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| 2000–2003 2.0 MT, 128 hp | 128 hp at 5,400 rpm | 175 Nm at 4,700 rpm | 1,998 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| 2000–2003 2.0 MT, 135 hp | 135 hp at 6,000 rpm | 181 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 1,998 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
The 83 hp Diesel produces approximately 41.5 hp per liter, while the 87 hp Diesel reaches approximately 43.5 hp per liter. The 128 hp Gasoline engine provides approximately 64.1 hp per liter. The 135 hp and 136 hp Gasoline versions produce approximately 67.6 and 68.1 hp per liter respectively.
The Diesel engines deliver their maximum torque at 2,000 rpm: 191 Nm in the 83 hp versions and 200 Nm in the 87 hp versions. The Gasoline alternatives make 175 Nm at 4,700 rpm or 181 Nm at 4,000 rpm. These figures describe different output profiles without requiring assumptions about how any version feels in conditions not measured by the data.
Kia Retona performance and fuel economy
| Period and exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–2000 2.0 AT, 83 hp | 22.4 s | 132 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1998–2000 2.0 MT, 83 hp | 20.5 s | 124 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1998–2000 2.0 MT, 87 hp | 20.5 s | 120 km/h | 11.5 l/100 km | 9.1 l/100 km | 10 l/100 km |
| 1998–2000 2.0 AT, 87 hp | 20.5 s | 120 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1998–2000 2.0 MT, 128 hp | 16 s | 160 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1998–2000 2.0 AT, 128 hp | 15 s | 150 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1998–2000 2.0 MT, 136 hp | 13 s | 150 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2000–2003 2.0 AT, 83 hp | 22.4 s | 132 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2000–2003 2.0 MT, 83 hp | 20.5 s | 124 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2000–2003 2.0 MT, 128 hp | 16 s | 160 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2000–2003 2.0 MT, 135 hp | 13 s | 150 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The quickest listed choices are the 1998–2000 136 hp 2.0 MT and the 2000–2003 135 hp 2.0 MT, both reaching 100 km/h in 13 seconds. They are 3 seconds quicker than the 128 hp 2.0 MT and 7.5 seconds quicker than the 83 hp Diesel 2.0 MT.
The highest listed top speed belongs to the 128 hp 2.0 MT, at 160 km/h in both periods. That is 10 km/h above the 135 hp and 136 hp 2.0 MT versions, despite their faster acceleration.
Fuel economy was measured only for the 1998–2000 87 hp Diesel 2.0 MT: 11.5 l/100 km in the city, 9.1 l/100 km on the highway, and 10 l/100 km combined. Consumption for every other version is not measured, so the data cannot support a fuel-cost ranking across the complete range.
Kia Retona dimensions, weight, clearance and tank
Body dimensions are not measured, and wheel sizes are not measured for any version. All versions have 200 mm of ground clearance and a 53-liter fuel tank.
| Period and exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Weight per horsepower |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–2000 2.0 AT, 83 hp | 1,525 kg | 2,000 kg | approximately 18.4 kg/hp |
| 1998–2000 2.0 MT, 83 hp | 1,510 kg | 1,903 kg | approximately 18.2 kg/hp |
| 1998–2000 2.0 MT, 87 hp | 1,505 kg | not measured | approximately 17.3 kg/hp |
| 1998–2000 2.0 AT, 87 hp | 1,505 kg | not measured | approximately 17.3 kg/hp |
| 1998–2000 2.0 MT, 128 hp | 1,480 kg | 1,920 kg | approximately 11.6 kg/hp |
| 1998–2000 2.0 AT, 128 hp | 1,480 kg | 1,820 kg | approximately 11.6 kg/hp |
| 1998–2000 2.0 MT, 136 hp | 1,525 kg | 2,000 kg | approximately 11.2 kg/hp |
| 2000–2003 2.0 AT, 83 hp | 1,525 kg | 2,000 kg | approximately 18.4 kg/hp |
| 2000–2003 2.0 MT, 83 hp | 1,510 kg | 1,903 kg | approximately 18.2 kg/hp |
| 2000–2003 2.0 MT, 128 hp | 1,480 kg | 1,920 kg | approximately 11.6 kg/hp |
| 2000–2003 2.0 MT, 135 hp | 1,525 kg | 2,000 kg | approximately 11.3 kg/hp |
The 128 hp 2.0 MT has the lowest listed kerb weight at 1,480 kg. The 136 hp original 2.0 MT has the best calculated weight-to-power result at approximately 11.2 kg/hp, narrowly ahead of the restyled 135 hp 2.0 MT at approximately 11.3 kg/hp.
Which Kia Retona version should you buy?
Choose the 1998–2000 136 hp 2.0 MT if acceleration and weight per horsepower are the priorities. Its 13-second 0–100 km/h time matches the quickest figure in the catalogue, and its approximately 11.2 kg/hp is the strongest calculated result. The restyled 2000–2003 135 hp 2.0 MT offers the same 13-second acceleration, the same 181 Nm at 4,000 rpm, and the same 150 km/h top speed, while producing 1 hp less.
Choose the 128 hp 2.0 MT if top speed and lower kerb weight matter more. In either production period, it weighs 1,480 kg, reaches 100 km/h in 16 seconds, and has the range’s highest listed top speed of 160 km/h. Compared with the 135 hp or 136 hp Manual version, it gives away 3 seconds in acceleration but adds 10 km/h in top speed.
For an Automatic Gasoline Retona, the choice is limited to the original 1998–2000 128 hp 2.0 AT. It reaches 100 km/h in 15 seconds—1 second quicker than the 128 hp 2.0 MT—but its top speed is 150 km/h, which is 10 km/h lower. Fuel consumption for both is not measured, preventing an economy comparison.
Among the Diesels, the original 87 hp versions provide 9 hp and 9 Nm more than the 83 hp versions. However, the listed 87 hp 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT take 20.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h and have a 120 km/h top speed. The 83 hp Manual also takes 20.5 seconds but reaches 124 km/h, while the 83 hp Automatic takes 22.4 seconds and reaches 132 km/h. The 87 hp 2.0 MT is the only choice with measured consumption.
The restyling did not alter the listed performance, weight, clearance, tank, suspension, or brake figures of the directly corresponding 83 hp Diesel 2.0 AT, 83 hp Diesel 2.0 MT, and 128 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT versions. On the supplied specifications alone, the main reason to choose between an original and a restyled example is therefore version availability: the original range supplies more engine-and-transmission combinations, while the restyled range retains a smaller selection. Prices, sale availability, interior details, modifications, problems, and reliability are not measured in the provided data and cannot be used to rank the versions.