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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  MY PERSONAL OPINION - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By ORLY - January 27 - 10:00 am

  BETTER INTERIOR DESIGN AND CONFORT THAN CARAVAN, CHEV. VENTURE AND 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA. FOR THE PRICE OF THIS MINIVAN AND THE WARRANTY, BELIEVE ME IT IS THE BETTER CHOICE, THE OTHERS IS JUST BRAND.

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  Kia Sedona 2002 - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By rodneygm - January 27 - 10:00 am

  for the price........this is by far the best van.

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  No More searching - Buy this car! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Charlie - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Ladies and Gentlemen, Like me you have read every review in the small mid size SUV category and having trouble deciding. I am so glad I chose the new Sorento. I have owned BMW, lexus, GMC. Mercedes and a range rover and this is the best car I have owned. The engine is like a Lexus, effortless from stop or in traffic. I have driven 15K miles in 6 months and besides a bad shock which was replaced in 24 hrs at no charge the car has been perfect. MPG is about 21 average with mostly city driving. The handling is like a BMW, gripes the road with no roll felt. BUY THIS CAR! Got a basic V6 for 23K, very happy.

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  Lots of Car in an Affordable Package. - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By Stacey Hamilton - January 25 - 8:52 pm

  We bought this car for our 16 year old daughter and she loves it. We got the EX package with AWD and the 6 cylinder engine. It is just the right car for a teenage driver.

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  IN STYLE - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Dave Muncy - January 24 - 11:43 pm

  I bought this van because of the looks, reputation, crash test rating and warranty. Eight months down the road, I still like it very much. The stability and handling are excellent, I like the fact that it weighs so much. Very well put together, and comfortable interior. The ride is quiet, power is surprising for a 6 cylinder-195 horsepower engine.

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  Still trouble free at 47K - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Tim - January 22 - 7:23 am

  I looked at several vans before buying the Kia - comparable vans were $5-10K more and with less warranty. Ive driven my van 47K in 3 years. Only trips to dealer were a couple of minor recalls and to replace the switch for the power seat recliner. Kia knew this van was a little portly (4800 lbs empty) but I like heavy duty features (HD chassis, aux transmission & oil coolers, dual piston brake calipers). I get 17/24 MPG. Maintenance has been oil changes, tores at 30K, front brakes at 45K. Overall van has been comfortable and reliable.

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  SAFE CAR! - 2002 Kia Optima
  By Joshua - January 21 - 3:50 am

  I cant speak much of my Kia Optima, I only owned it for less than a month. I will however be more likely to buy another though. I was involved in a severe front end collision. A large pick-up truck ran a stop sign on a country road giving me no time to even brake. I escaped the accident with only severe whiplash and back problems. The doctors said that it could have been so much worse. This is one safe car and I would recommend it to anyone. The whole front end of the car was gone and the roof buckled under the impact, however no part of the interior was altered or harmed me.

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  who would have guessed! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By gilligan - January 21 - 2:00 am

  simply put, what a greatvehicle. I am a street saleman in my car all day. A joy to drive, and the car turns heads. Have had more comments than i can count. Well put together, great performance.

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  Nice vehicle - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By sar34 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Before buying I tested the Nissan Pathfinder and Murano, the Infinity QX4, and Exolorer. The Sorento had the best ride, although the Murano was close. But a comparably equiped Murano is $7K more.

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  Fun / Great Deal / Looks Great / Smooth - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Alarm Man - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Overall, we love it - looks great and fits our needs forthe price. A sturdy well built excellent warranty vehicle. If in the market, these are better than Fords or Chevys any day !!!