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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  LOT OF CAR FOR MONEY - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By bob - February 28 - 6:06 am

  I bought this car for 10,500. Only 13k miles and car was like new. Traded a 07 versa and what a difference. I get38mpg on highway with ac on. Great quiet, tight ride. Smooth ride for a small car. Styling and comfort are very good.Sound system is great. No regrets.

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  Great Van but where is the 25 MPG - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By trove - February 27 - 8:23 pm

  We love the van but the best mileage we have gotten is 19.1 on a level road. We average about 16 MPG which is almost the same as we get with our Avalanche. Our old Grand Voyager would average over 17 MPG and get almost 23 MPG on a trip. Comfort is excellent but the second row seats are a little tall for an adult as a taller person will hit their head on the roof. A couple of minor problems but the dealer bent over backwards to make them right. All in all an excellent value for the money. We would put this side by side with any minivan made. Also dont forget this has the highest safety rating on any minivan made.

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  Suprisingly Competeitive - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By falsesmall - February 26 - 10:00 am

  This van definitely competes with the upper classmen in this field and would do so even at a higher price. I would guess this is the best car for the money bar none. Loaded with standard features, handles well for a van, very peppy and quiet engine accompanied by a smooth shifting transmission. Looks good in and out. Would not hesitate to buy this car again.

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  LOVE this car! - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Me Me - February 26 - 2:03 am

  We just got this car about 2 weeks ago. And i truly love it. It is so easy to drive. I dont have a bad thing to say. Awesome car for the $$$ Would recommend this to anyone!!

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  2012 Sorrento is a LEMON - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By sdannett - February 25 - 7:22 am

  I find it unacceptable for my 2012 sorrento to require an entire engine replacement after only 8 months of driving. Although the repair was eventually covered under warranty, I had to fight and followup daily for updates on repairs. It ended up taking ONE MONTH for my vehicle to be ready. The breakdown occurred in another city 4 hours away from my home and they expected me to drive 8 hour round trip to pick it up. Faulty vehicle and abysmal customer service. I feel duped. Stay away from KIA.

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  jose99 - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Jose99 - February 24 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I purchased our Sedona EX back in November I am concerned about the locking mechanisms of the Van. We brought the vehicle back to the dealership one week after we purchased . one of the storage compartments will not close. Now i have to wait 2 weeks or more to get the parts in I am not happy with the dealer at all this is a new car and should be fixed on the spot

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  PROUD KIA SEDONA OWNER - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Cheryl Johnson - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I AM SO PROUD OF MY SEDONA. I FEEL AS IF I KNOW A SECRECT THAT THE OWNERS OF WINDSTARS, CARAVANS AND OTHER MINI VANS DONT. YOU CAN OWN A QUALITY PRODUCT AND NOT HAVE TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF EXTRA DOLLARS TO GET IT. MY SEDONA IS CLASSY, SPORTY, ROOMY AND RIDES LIKE A DREAM. THE BEST PART IS YOU DONT SEE THEM AT EVERY STOP LIGHT. I FEEL PROUD TO BE DIFFERENT. I LOVE MY KIA!!!

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  Great SUV - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By bigpoppadk - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Anyone looking for a midsize SUV should take a look at the Kia Sorento. I at looked them all and th Kia was the best value. I bought the EX model fully loaaded. I have had it for a week and so far my wife and I love our Sorento. Dont be put off by the fact it is a Kia, the warrenty sold me. I will keep you posted on how my Sorento is doing,

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  Excellent Value - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By jcox3296 - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Have only had my Sorento for a few days, but I already know this is a keeper. Excellent styling inside and out! Awesome features for the price. Overall I think I have made a wise decision to buy the Sorento

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  GREAT CAR - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By HANKSOLO - February 24 - 2:00 am

  BEFORE BUYING THE CAR I DID MY HOMEWORK, AND WHEN I WENT TO THE SHOW ROOM I WAS REALLY IMPRESS, THE TRUCK HANDLE A LOT BETTER THAN EXPECTED, I COULDNT GO BACK TO MY FORD, SO I TOOK IT HOME AND I HAVE NOT REGRETED FOR A MOMENT, THE WARRANTY IS THE ICING ON THE CAKE,FUEL THIRSTY BUT NOT MORE THAN ANY BIG V6...