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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  I love it! - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Vernon and Joan - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Just traded in my 2002 for a 2004 and have not complaints. Handles well in snow and love the updates in the 2004. Very nice reliable van. Hubby and children do not care for the new grill, but they will get over it. It seems as though Kia has worked out many of the complaints with this model. Think the ripped me with the 2800 dollar dvd system though. I still love it though.

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  2 Years and 28K Miles Later - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Ited - October 3 - 8:40 am

  The warranty was a major selling point as was the exterior styling (my wife liked that the most). For me the safety was a major factor as my wife is petite and I want her safe. Weve had the rotors turned which I dont believe should be necessary and tail light bulbs replaced both at our cost as they werent under warranty. Weve had transmission hesitation, but no break down. Weve had the overhead console multi-meter replaced twice to try to get it to be accurate. My wife thinks it is quieter than our Saturn and likes it the best of all the cars we have had. Weve also had a few undetermined rattles. Dealerships in our area SoCal have disappeared but a new one opened. So far a good buy.

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  3 years and 100,000 - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By scdad - October 1 - 10:13 pm

  I brought my Kia brand new in 06. It was the only 05 left and it only had 7 test miles on it. This van has taken me back and forth to Vax4, MDx3, Gax4 and Flx2 with no problems what so ever. I wouldnt trade it for the world. I dont know what everyone else is talking about but my Kia it awesome. It is all about how you take care of your vehicle.

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  Great Value - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By optimist - September 30 - 10:00 am

  My second Sedona. Owned 2002 model. Great value, excellent quality for the money.

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  AWESOME RIDE - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By POOLBUNNY - September 30 - 10:00 am

  FORGET THE LEXUS, THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER AND JUST AS NICE FOR LESS THE PRICE.

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  ITS A KIA - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Jadkisson - September 30 - 10:00 am

  A lot of people come up to me and ask me questions about this vehicle and I tell them that its a KIA and they look at it and are very surprised of what it has to offer. I have 5000 miles and have had problems already with the truck. It has turned off on me while driving, the ABS brake lights have come on 4 times and the engine light has come on. I know people that have the same car as me and they have had no problems. I really like this car but I think there are Lemons everywhere. When my friends drive it they are surprised at how well it drives and how smooth that it operates. It also looks very stylish on the outside as well as the inside.

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  Kia Magentis 2004 Model - 2004 Kia Optima
  By alfybio - September 29 - 9:17 am

  I have found this car great value for my almost meagre spend on it. The car starts effortlessly, almost before the ignition is turned, its silent, and just purrs when running. In motion it is very stable, and appears to bounce when it hits a bump.

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  Sedona Rocks - 2008 Kia Sedona
  By Bill - September 29 - 2:56 am

  Rented a car in may 2007, was upgraded free to 2008 kia sedona for a week. best test drive ever. Wife fell in love with van. Finally in the market to purchase a vehicle March 2009, Sedona only one came to mind. Love everything about sedona. Engine same size as the 98 z34 monte carlo, V6 3.8l. nice acceleration and handling. My wife and I argue over who gets to drive when we go places now.

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  Almost 40 K on the Sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By herrhec - September 28 - 2:18 pm

  I have the car three years already, on some trips no problem the machine is reliable. Some minor issues: the transmission ( manual) was changed because of a small "click" sound. the mechanic got lazy and after complaining several times (since he said: " the sound is normal") they put a new transmission and when they finished the sound was still there. Took it to another place it was a minor issue ( 30$ for repairing).Just changed the rear pads. hope to keep the car a few years more.

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  True Review of the Kia Optima - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Jay - September 28 - 1:06 am

  First 3 years and nearly 60,000 miles the car was flawless. At 59,700 the check engine light came on needed spark plugs, wires, and sensor covered by warranty then all of a sudden the headlights started to blow-out every other month, the chk eng light came on with several major codes not covered by warranty, the exterior held up but the wheel covers peeled and wiper arms started to rust. Drivers door speaker started to make horrible noise. The belts would squeak in cold/damp weather at start-up