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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  We love our Sedona! - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Hartmans - June 16 - 5:00 pm

  My husband & I have an 11 mo. old daughter & wanted a van that would make our lives easier. We didnt have big bucks, but knew we wanted the works. The Sedona made it possible for us to have it all! Leather, CD/tape, DVD, sunroof, ABS, power everything, you name it. The van is "meaty" & feels safe & comfortable. Im picky about cushy seats. I do wish it had auto doors that slid open, but no big deal. I dont care that the seats dont fold into the floor. We have very versatile captains chairs & it seats 7 comfortably. Not great turning radius but everything else is fine. Some cheapy elements, knobs on controls, door handles. Everything else is A+. We love

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  rating my sedona - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By john huffman - June 11 - 1:13 pm

  overall experience with my sedona has been very good to excellent. alternator was replaced at around 28000 miles (waranty). my main complaint has been the gas mileage.i have owned 4 other makes of mini-vans which i did not find to have the over all quality of my sedona especilly for the price and waranty.

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  When compared to Odyssey.. - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By lovemysedona - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Bought my Sedona in NOVEMBER OF 2003. I couldnt put 2003 on the date purchased window. Cars great. Drives well. Havent driven much. When I got it, it had 8 miles. It has now aboutj 220 miles. So far, it drives well. I think, the steering is a bit too sensitive. Rear seats, kinda vibrate too much producing the vibration noise. Over all the minivan is excellent.

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  2006.5 - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Rodney - June 8 - 3:23 pm

  I have had the car for 4 months now and it has been reliable and comfortable. Its not a particularly easy car to drive around town because of low torque. Tried teaching my 15 year old to drive in it...not a good idea. Wife doesnt like driving it either.

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  Dangerous to drive - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By wolley segap - June 8 - 12:26 pm

  The Amanti has severe problems with acceleration. The car will lunge forward or backwards when taking off. I have had the car in the shop many times and Kia says they are aware of the problem but does not have a fix. It was declared a lemon by the Arizona lemon law and replaced with a 2006 model Amanti. The 2006 has the same problems. Now I have to start all over again to try to solve the problem.

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  Great for young or singles - not family! - 2001 Kia Rio
  By J & C Shep - June 7 - 6:00 pm

  We bought the car used in 2002; paid WAY too much for it. Kept up with regular maintenance, oil changes and tire needs; started giving us problems once we moved from FL/GA area to TX. Have had the car in shop 3 times since Xmas, replaced fan/timing belts and radiator pcs once it died on freeway. One month later it has completely died - engine out and is more costly to replace. It is great for singles or couples, if you are young and starting out or at college; not meant for family car (space is VERY limited). Excellent gas mileage and great for tight parking spaces. I like Kias, just be sure to do research and know what you are paying for; newer KIA models are worth the investment.

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  Husband against imports. Not anymore! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By AMYMARIE - June 7 - 2:56 pm

  Husband had to go from a Taurus (19- 21 mpg) to an import because of his 50 mile one-way track to work everyday. He was against imports until he sat in the Optima. The conv. package with the 8-way lumbar seat, dimming rear- view, alloys and trip along with the dealer package of the rear spoiler, LEDs on side-view mirrors for turn- signal, and pin striping made this car a looker! Not a plain Jane anymore! Car was 22K and with rebates/trade we paid 15K. Was a leftover with 18 miles on it. Dealer put another 100K on the pwrtrain warranty for a total of 200K! Hubby did not think he could find a mid-size import with the mpg he liked. Thumbs up so far!

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  sharp car - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By whome - June 7 - 10:00 am

  rides good runs good fast enough to get into trouble

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  Sorento is "just right" - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By socalmom - June 7 - 10:00 am

  I fell in love with the Kia Sorento the first time I laid eyes on one in a mall parking lot. I have owned two other SUVs and find the Sorento to be "just right". My complaints are for very poor gas mileage (city 12-13 mpg, highway 18 mpg during a Vegas trip) and excessive wind noise at the sunroof. I LOVE the interior/exterior styling, interior comfort and height, and the solid road handling, especially around turns.

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  Koreas Biggest kept Secret - 2004 Kia Optima
  By NCCU EAGLE - June 7 - 6:03 am

  I bought my Kia with 30k miles on it. Since I have bought the car I have driven about 13k miles without one single problem with it.