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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  Love this van! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Seagull61 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Bought the Sedona before the safety testing information was available... crossed my fingers and hoped what the dealer was telling me was true (it was, the Sedona was rated tops in crash tests). We LOVE this van. Has given us worry-free operation, is packed with features you would pay thousands more for on a comparably equipped Toyota or Honda. The warranty convinced us to go with the Kia. Only had one problem... it decided not to start one day. I called the free road-side assist and help was on the way immediately. The dealer couldnt recreate the problem, but found that the battery was the likely culprit and popped a new one in, no questions asked.

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  Kia Sedona Rocks - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Kiapeg - January 27 - 10:00 am

  My 2003 Kia, is a GREAT minivan. Has the feeling of an SUV. All the cupholders & gadgets are great. Its really fun to drive.

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  the best van the best price - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By dane - January 27 - 10:00 am

  i have owned two sedonas. the have plenty of horse power. lots of features. and a five star rating.

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  My KIA - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By luhiluhi - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I like the KIA because of the comfort,style and the way this minivan performs. Although it doesnt come with anti-lock breaks,with the price being lower than other minivans, you can afford to add on this (important) option. I added anti-lock breaks and the total price was still lower. My advice? Do your research. I did. And Im extremely satisfied.

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  Kia is King! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Robert McDonald - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Kia Sedona. The last one I had I put 48,000 (2002) and traded it on the 2003 model. No problems with the 2002 whatsoever. I have rented a 2003 Grand Caravan on a business trip. The Caravan was no comparison. The difference was a VW versus a Lincoln Towncar. Kia wins by a landslide! Go Kia!

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  KIA - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Pretzel - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The KIA van offers a solid and smooth ride. The interior design for the price cant be beat. Its luxury at a great price and ten year warranty.

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  Awesome - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Jrmartinez - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Smooth riding, very soothing and comfortable.

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  The best $ you can spend on a minivan. - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Regina - January 27 - 10:00 am

  We looked at alot of differant minivans, but this one was the best value! We got all of the upgrades that you would have to pay big bucks for, but without the markup on it. It was the best choice for our family. Best of all we could really afford it!

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  Sold on Sorento! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Sold on Sorento! - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This is one great SUV! I traded my Xterra in on one, and when my wife drove it, she decided to trade her Lexus to! Most everyone here has mentioned gas mileage. My Xterra only got 15, and the Lexus was 19. The Sorento is averaging 16 around town. Another review by "Kia 4 Me" summed it up nicely. The better gas milage of the Lexus "saved" us $282 a year over the Sorento (gas here averages $1.91). But at that rate it would take just under 50 years to make up the difference! Thanks for the perspective Kia 4 Me!!!!

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  Very impressive SUV - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Bill Moore - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Exceptionally well designed. Incredible array of features for the price. Build quality is excellent. Got the AWD EX with leather/sunroof package. Recently parked next to some BMW, Audi and Lexus SUVs and this SUV knocks them all off the block on looks alone. Buy it, you wont regret it.