Vehicle Class:
        
        
            Mid-size SUV
        
     
    
        
            Segment:
        
        
            Body-on-frame SUV, often competing with models like the Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota 4Runner.
        
     
    
    
        
            Key Competitors 2003 2006:
        
        
            Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Jeep Grand Cherokee.
        
     
    
    
    
        
            Seating Capacity:
        
        
            Typically 5 or 7 passengers (optional third row).
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Engine Service:
        
        
            Detailed diagnostics, repair, overhaul, and specifications for all engine variants.
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Service:
        
        
            Coverage for automatic and manual transmissions, including overhaul, diagnostics, and fluid information.
        
     
    
        
            Drivetrain Service:
        
        
            Front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) systems, differentials, axles, and driveshafts.
        
     
    
        
            Braking System Service:
        
        
            Front and rear brakes (disc/drum), ABS system, hydraulic components, and bleeding procedures.
        
     
    
        
            Suspension Steering Service:
        
        
            Front and rear suspension components, steering system, alignment specifications, and power steering.
        
     
    
        
            Electrical System Service:
        
        
            Comprehensive wiring diagrams, component testing, diagnostics for lighting, charging, ignition, and accessories.
        
     
    
        
            HVAC System Service:
        
        
            Air conditioning, heating, ventilation, climate control system diagnostics and repair.
        
     
    
        
            Body And Chassis Service:
        
        
            Body panel repair, interior trim, glass replacement, structural components, and corrosion protection.
        
     
    
        
            Emission Control Systems:
        
        
            Diagnosis and repair of emissions-related components and systems.
        
     
    
    
        
            Routine Maintenance:
        
        
            Oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks, tire rotations, spark plug replacement.
        
     
    
        
            Troubleshooting Guides:
        
        
            Systematic diagnostic procedures for common and uncommon problems.
        
     
    
        
            Component Replacement:
        
        
            Step-by-step instructions for replacing major and minor components.
        
     
    
        
            Rebuilding Procedures:
        
        
            Detailed instructions for rebuilding engines, transmissions, and other major assemblies.
        
     
    
        
            Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
        
        
            Explanation of DTCs and associated diagnostic steps.
        
     
    
    
        
            Depth:
        
        
            Comprehensive, suitable for professional technicians and advanced DIYers.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Engine Code V6:
        
        
            G6CU (3.5L V6)
        
     
    
        
            Engine Displacement V6:
        
        
            3.5 Liters (3497 cc)
        
     
    
        
            Engine Configuration V6:
        
        
            SOHC V6
        
     
    
        
            Horsepower V6 Early:
        
        
            Approx. 195 hp @ 5500 rpm
        
     
    
        
            Torque V6 Early:
        
        
            Approx. 217 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
        
     
    
        
            Horsepower V6 Later:
        
        
            Approx. 205 hp @ 5500 rpm (minor revisions)
        
     
    
        
            Torque V6 Later:
        
        
            Approx. 227 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm (minor revisions)
        
     
    
        
            Engine Code 4Cyl:
        
        
            G4CS (2.7L 4-Cylinder, less common, primarily for certain markets/trims)
        
     
    
        
            Engine Displacement 4Cyl:
        
        
            2.7 Liters (2656 cc)
        
     
    
        
            Engine Configuration 4Cyl:
        
        
            DOHC 4-Cylinder
        
     
    
        
            Horsepower 4Cyl:
        
        
            Approx. 138-149 hp @ 5000-5500 rpm
        
     
    
        
            Torque 4Cyl:
        
        
            Approx. 174-180 lb-ft @ 3000-3500 rpm
        
     
    
    
        
            0 60 Mph V6:
        
        
            Approx. 8.5 - 9.5 seconds
        
     
    
    
        
            Fuel Delivery:
        
        
            Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
        
     
    
        
            Fuel Type:
        
        
            Unleaded Gasoline
        
     
    
        
            Fuel Tank Capacity:
        
        
            Approx. 17.7 gallons (67 liters)
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Transmission Type V6 Early:
        
        
            4-Speed Automatic
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Type 4Cyl:
        
        
            5-Speed Manual (less common in US market)
        
     
    
    
        
            Transmission Type V6 Later:
        
        
            5-Speed Automatic (introduced around 2005/2006 for some models)
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Type 4Cyl Auto:
        
        
            4-Speed Automatic
        
     
    
    
        
            Drivetrain Options:
        
        
            Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) or Part-Time Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Length:
        
        
            Approx. 188.7 inches (4793 mm)
        
     
    
        
            Width:
        
        
            Approx. 74.2 inches (1885 mm)
        
     
    
        
            Height:
        
        
            Approx. 67.7 - 68.1 inches (1720 - 1730 mm)
        
     
    
        
            Wheelbase:
        
        
            Approx. 106.1 inches (2695 mm)
        
     
    
        
            Ground Clearance:
        
        
            Approx. 7.7 inches (195 mm)
        
     
    
    
        
            Passenger Volume:
        
        
            Approx. 106-110 cubic feet (depending on configuration)
        
     
    
    
        
            Cargo Volume Behind 2Nd Row:
        
        
            Approx. 33.0 cubic feet
        
     
    
        
            Cargo Volume Behind 1St Row:
        
        
            Approx. 70.0 - 80.0 cubic feet (with 2nd & 3rd rows folded)
        
     
    
    
        
            Curb Weight V6 Rwd:
        
        
            Approx. 4200 - 4400 lbs (1905 - 2000 kg)
        
     
    
        
            Curb Weight V6 4Wd:
        
        
            Approx. 4400 - 4600 lbs (2000 - 2090 kg)
        
     
    
        
            Towing Capacity:
        
        
            Up to 5,000 lbs (2268 kg)
        
     
    
        
            Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:
        
        
            Approx. 5700 - 6000 lbs
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            NHTSA Frontal Driver Side:
        
        
            4 Stars (2003 models)
        
     
    
        
            NHTSA Frontal Passenger Side:
        
        
            4 Stars (2003 models)
        
     
    
        
            NHTSA Side Impact Front Seat:
        
        
            5 Stars (2003 models)
        
     
    
        
            NHTSA Side Impact Rear Seat:
        
        
            4 Stars (2003 models)
        
     
    
    
        
            ABS:
        
        
            Standard (Anti-lock Braking System)
        
     
    
        
            Traction Control:
        
        
            Available on some models/trims
        
     
    
        
            Electronic Stability Control:
        
        
            Generally not available on early models, potentially introduced later
        
     
    
    
        
            Airbags Front:
        
        
            Standard (Driver and Front Passenger)
        
     
    
        
            Airbags Side Curtain:
        
        
            Available (Side-impact airbags for front and sometimes rear occupants)
        
     
    
        
            Seatbelts:
        
        
            3-point seatbelts with pretensioners
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Audio System:
        
        
            Standard AM/FM/CD player, optional premium audio systems (e.g., Infinity).
        
     
    
        
            Navigation:
        
        
            Optional factory navigation system available on higher trims.
        
     
    
    
        
            Cruise Control:
        
        
            Standard on most trims.
        
     
    
    
        
            Auxiliary Input:
        
        
            Generally not standard; aftermarket solutions likely required for modern connectivity.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Oil Change Interval:
        
        
            Every 3,750 to 7,500 miles (6,000 to 12,000 km) or 6 months, depending on driving conditions and oil type used (refer to manual for specifics).
        
     
    
        
            Engine Coolant Replacement:
        
        
            Initial: 105,000 miles (168,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years thereafter.
        
     
    
        
            Timing Belt Replacement V6:
        
        
            Crucial! 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 7 years. Failure can cause catastrophic engine damage.
        
     
    
    
        
            Engine Oil V6:
        
        
            API SJ or higher, SAE 5W-30 or 10W-30 (check manual for temperature variations and specific API classification).
        
     
    
        
            Engine Oil Capacity V6:
        
        
            Approx. 5.2 quarts (4.9 liters) with filter change.
        
     
    
        
            Automatic Transmission Fluid Atf:
        
        
            Kia Genuine ATF SP-III or equivalent.
        
     
    
        
            Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity:
        
        
            Approx. 9.5 quarts (9.0 liters) for drain and fill.
        
     
    
        
            Engine Coolant:
        
        
            Propylene Glycol-based (Asian Red/Pink) or Ethylene Glycol-based (Green) antifreeze mixed 50/50 with distilled water.
        
     
    
        
            Brake Fluid:
        
        
            DOT 3 or DOT 4.
        
     
    
        
            Power Steering Fluid:
        
        
            Dexron III ATF or equivalent.
        
     
    
    
        
            Common Complaint Engine Mounts:
        
        
            Premature wear and failure of engine mounts leading to vibration.
        
     
    
        
            Common Complaint Rear Main Seal:
        
        
            Oil leaks from the rear main crankshaft seal.
        
     
    
        
            Common Complaint Window Regulators:
        
        
            Failure of power window regulators.
        
     
    
        
            Common Complaint ABS Sensors:
        
        
            Faulty ABS wheel speed sensors leading to ABS warning lights.
        
     
    
        
            Common Complaint Exhaust Manifold Cracks:
        
        
            Cracking of the exhaust manifold, particularly on the V6 engine.
        
     
    
        
            Common Complaint Transfer Case Actuator:
        
        
            Issues with the 4WD actuator system on AWD models.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Manufacturer Origin:
        
        
            South Korea
        
     
    
    
        
            Generation Introduction:
        
        
            First generation (JC) introduced for the 2001 model year globally, with North American debut in 2002 for the 2003 model year.
        
     
    
        
            Facelift Mid Cycle:
        
        
            Minor styling updates and feature enhancements occurred during its production run, especially for 2005/2006 models.
        
     
    
    
        
            Manufacturing Locations:
        
        
            Primarily South Korea (Kia Hwaseong Plant)
        
     
    
        
            Production Span:
        
        
            2001-2006 (First Generation)