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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  FUN TO DRIVE - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By SENIOR DRIVER - June 15 - 10:00 am

  HAVE OWNED IT ONLY A FEW WEEKS. TOOK ONE ROAD TRIP. 23 MPG IN 800 MILES. IT IS WELL-MADE AND VERY QUIET. NICE PERFORMANCE WITH THE 3.5L SIX. HANDLING IS VERY GOOD.

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  Best SUV over all others - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By August3910 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I test drove all the others....what the others lacked or needed the Kia Sorento has as a standard feature plus an unbelievable warranty....Id do it again!

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  KIA SORENTO EX - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Fran DiIorio - June 15 - 10:00 am

  OVERALL I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS EXCEPTIONAL FOR THE MONEY I SPENT. IF I WERE TO BUY AN AMERICAN SUV WITH THE SAME OPTIONS I WOULD HAVE SPENT ABOUT EIGHT THOUSAND MORE THAN I DID. I OWN AN AUTO BODY REPAIR FACILITY AND AM ABLE TO DRIVE ALOT OF DIFFERENT VEHICLES. I FIRMLY FEEL THIS VEHICLES BUILD QUALITY IS COMPAREABLE TO THE BMW X5, THE RX 300, AND THE VW TOUREG - FOR HALF THE INVESTMENT. OVERALL I DONT BELIEVE I COULD HAVE PURCHASED A BETTER VEHICLE FOR THE MONEY. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPOINTED!

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  i love my kia - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By pattie - June 15 - 10:00 am

  great suv to own...

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  Sams REview - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Samw32 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I test drove many midsize SUVs and was not comfortable driving several of them until I drove the Kia Sorento. I feel that I did my research and purchased a superior vehicle. Not only did I purchase a reliable vehicle but the warranty is outstanding as well.

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  Kia Sorento - Gas Mileage - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Tim - June 15 - 9:33 am

  Great vehicle but gas mileage has been lower than expected. 17-18 on the highway.

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  Truly a comfortable, spacious and practical SUV!! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By kandeemann2001 - June 13 - 11:08 pm

  I bought a 2004 Sorento EX Luxury from a private seller with 75,000 miles. Vehicle was in immaculate condition, but was plagued with issues in the beginning. Had to replace the drive shaft, throttle position sensor, spark plugs and brakes - but after all repairs were done and a thorough fuel injection cleaning service, it drives like brand new. This is truly a remarkable SUV. Im a law student and wanted a comfortable vehicle to last me for a few years, and even though I had those repair issues, I have no regrets. Its good-looking, spacious, super comfortable and has more than enough power. Shifts are buttery smooth and engine performance is really impressive for an 8 year old vehicle.

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  My sorento - 2015 Kia Sorento
  By tgrable - June 13 - 9:45 pm

  I really love my Sorento. Best car I have ever owned. Always wanted one and now I got it. I am planning on buying a pontoon boat only 16ft. The dry weight is 1620 without motor. The maximum towing capacity is 1650. I wonder if that will make a difference. Really hoping it doesnt because I love my Sorento

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  Kia Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Seahawk - June 13 - 10:00 am

  At 64" and 290lbs most cars dont "fit" - the Kia Sorent is easier to get in to and provides more shoulder and leg room than the Toyota Highlandr and the Nissan Pathfinder. The interior and exterior styling puts the others in the background. The engine performance and ride quality are excellant. Assembly "finish" and "fit" are excellant. I spent a lot of time researching various SUVs, testing the fit and looking at the quality of construction - the Kia Sorento meets or exceeds even the Lexus and Mercedes, and wont take you to the cleaners trying to pay for it.

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  Great! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By cj033172 - June 13 - 12:46 am

  Drives great and handles well. Does not feel like you are driving a truck like many other SUVs. It makes for a smooth and comfortable ride. We have all the bells and whistles in our Kia Sorento and would recommend it to others.