Overview & Reviews

Kia Motors is a South Korean automaker that's relatively new to the United States. In its early years, Kia largely catered to budget-minded consumers with well-equipped vehicles priced below competing models. More recently, this growing brand has kept value a priority while also emphasizing technology and sportiness.

Founded in Korea in 1944, Kia started as a producer of steel tubing and bicycle parts. The company's name has its roots in the Chinese language, and means "to arise, to come up out of Asia." By the early 1950s, the company had produced Korea's first bicycle; by the latter part of the decade, Kia had branched out into motor scooters, with the rollout of the C100.

The 1960s saw Kia expanding its lineup to include motorcycles and three-wheeled cargo vehicles. Naturally, the next logical step was automobile production, and the company began moving in this direction in the early 1970s. By 1973, Kia had built a facility designed to make its automotive dreams a reality; its Sohari plant held the distinction of being Korea's first fully integrated automobile production facility, and went on to spawn Korea's first internal-combustion gasoline engine. A year later, Kia unveiled the Brisa, Korea's first passenger car. By the end of the decade, Kia's technology was being used to manufacture vehicles like the Peugeot 604 and the Fiat 132.

By the late '80s, Kia's lineup included new models like the Concord, Capital, Potentia and Pride. In 1987, Ford brought the Pride to U.S. shores, rebadging it as the Ford Festiva. Seven years later, Ford dealers got a replacement for the entry-level, subcompact Festiva in the form of another Kia constructed product, the Aspire.

Kia finally began selling vehicles in the U.S. under its own name in the early '90s, trumpeting its presence with the introduction of the compact Sephia. The car's rollout was gradual; in the early days of its production, the Sephia was only available in select Western states. By the mid-'90s, SUVs had emerged as a phenomenally popular and profitable vehicle segment. Kia responded with the 1995 Sportage, a compact SUV. By the end of the '90s, Kia's nationwide rollout was nearly complete.

Financial difficulties in the late '90s prevented Kia from expanding its lineup beyond those two models. Hyundai, South Korea's other major automaker, acquired the company in a merger in 1998.

Kia has been on a major upswing since its purchase by Hyundai, with improvements in build quality, performance and overall refinement. Reliability, previously a weak point, has also improved markedly and consumers' confidence was further bolstered by Kia's substantial warranty program. Today, Kia is on a dramatic upswing and offers a broad lineup of well-built coupes, sedans and crossovers that stand out for their value, performance and sporty styling.

User Reviews:

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  Satisfied With My Sedona - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Huffman - June 13 - 10:00 am

  My Sedona is a 2002,purchased new.It currently has 9456 miles on it.I did have a problem within the first month of purchase.The alternator failed and the dealer had no replacement in stock.My vehicle was in the shop about a week waiting for parts.They finally took an alternator from one on the lot and replaced it.I have had no more problems with this vehicle.Im satisfied.

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  32 MPG my [non-permissible content removed] - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By mjwitz - June 4 - 11:47 am

  Let me start out by saying this is a nice SUV. Quiet smooth ride. Decent power with the 4 banger. The brakes are solid. I did not get 4WD to get better mileage. If I had it to do over I would have gotten the 4WD because the mileage sucks anyway. I do combined driving and get 23.5 MPG. No where near the stated 32.

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  great van - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By T windham - June 1 - 6:43 pm

  Great van for the price. I like the room, the storage, and the overall fill when driving. We were able to get the DVD system, however I had to give up some of the other things I had in my other van (NOT A KIA).

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  Good Bang for the Buck - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By tgbobbi - May 30 - 1:14 am

  We bought our Sorento in September and have 4K miles on it. We were impressed initially with the features that came standard and were won over by the options added that made it more affordable comparatively speaking to the Honda CR-V and Toyata Rav4. Power is a little something to be desired but not horrific by any standard for small 4 even when loaded with the family. The interior features are well designed except and the seats are comfortable and roomy in the front and spacious as well in the back. The biggest issue I would have is the noise and ride from the suspension. Ive heard that the newer versions have dampers and Ill chekc with my dealer concerning that. A great buy!

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  Good with Flaw - 2008 Kia Optima
  By KIASTINKCS - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Ive really enjoyed my Kia Optima. However there is a major issue with the car stalling and power cutting out, upon starting the car up and when driving.

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  The Engine Fine, the Rest..... - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Jenns - May 23 - 3:26 pm

  This Car Runs great, only downer for my car was all the electric when out on it, and repairing it was not fun. Right now I have no Speedier, the mileage is wrong, and I have no idea how much gas I have. My heater/ac stop working about 2 year ago. It a great starter car, had a good monthly price when I bought it, and keeps it value, but now my entire repairs are worth more than the car. Their now warping on the dash board and the arm rest was just crap, I had it replace once and it fell apart on its own.

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  Passed up Highlander and Pilot for KIA - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By lazy t - May 23 - 7:43 am

  A leather/luxury Pilot or Highlander with lot-o-options would run you 30k plus. I paid 23,800 and love it. Go see/drive one before you buy anything else. Better gas mileage is becoming an issue now though.

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  Cheap Imitation - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By tony11220 - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I selected the kia Sedona for price, shortness (for city parking), and the 10 year warranty. The service department is awful and the dealership didnt keep its word on the deal. I cant drive with visor down, it was poorly designed. Also, the body was poorly designed, a kid leaned against the front fender and it "popped" in creating a dent! On the plus side - it has great pick-up, looks good (even if its a cheap knock-off of American cars). My greatest dissatisfaction is with the service shop and the lies of the dealership (like free loaner car when my kia is in the shop overnight).

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  Moms minivan - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By kateguin - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Kids love the multiple power connections in the rear (one at third seat, one in trunk). Kids love having "picnics" on the back of the 2nd row captains chairs. 2nd row seats are easy to remove. Temp reading for outside temp is not reliable. Gas reading (distance to empty) is a nice feature.

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  KIA Sedona LX - spirited driver - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By Robinson Family - May 17 - 12:36 pm

  I traded in a 05 Impala for this vehicle and I dont feel as if I sacrificed anything by purchasing it. I have the same amount of power with my KIA as I had with the Impala. Its GREAT! Who would have thought a minivan with 250 horses? I can roast the tires if Im not careful! Comfortable and very stable ride. When I first purchased it, I found myself driving it like a sports sedan. And the best thing is that the vehicle will allow you to do that. The suspension and traction control will keep you stable when dodging the occasional idiot driver. The fold flat rear seats are awesome and the sliding doors have power windows! Great Van! Cant wait to see the next set of improvements!