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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  Transmission Sensor - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By bill - January 27 - 12:10 pm

  This is the perfect vehicle for the city inwhich I reside, narrow streets and no relative high speed areas. However my Sportage has the power to move out on the highway when necessary. A fun vehicle to drive. I love it! Too bad you guys stopped making this model. I do like the new Sportage SUV, but my 2001 Kia fits the bill!! I would have bought one of these new had I known about the vehicle at that time.

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  Competitive Minivan and a great value - 2016 Kia Sedona
  By Dad that Drives a Minivan - January 26 - 9:37 pm

  My lease of a 2014 Town & Country 30th Anniversary addition was coming to an end and needed another minivan. The Town & Country was a decent minivan and but was feeling dated. I have a wife and three kids and minivan is a more practical choice for my family. They offer more space than a crossover and getting and the ease of getting in and out is so much easier. I thought I had already made up my mind and was going to lease the 2017 Pacifica. But I decided that I should drive a couple other vans to make sure. I drove the 2016 Honda Odyssey and left the space, comfort and ride quality was better than the Pacifica. However, the technology of the Odyssey was very disappointing, the infotainment system was not what I would expect in an almost $40,000 car. It was very dated, even more so than the Town & Country. I decided that I would drive one more van and then make my decision. I went to a local Kia dealer and drove a 2016 Kia Sedona SX trim. As soon as I sat in the driver seat I knew this was the most confrontable of the three. Im 62 and I had plenty of space. I was able to get in the seat behind me and was very confrontable. I was also surprised that my knees were not touching the seat in front of me. Next I climbed into the third row and was able to fit in the back seat, I would prefer the send row but would be ok riding in the back. The list of features on the SX is simply amazing at this price point. The SX trim comes with blind spot monitoring, backup sensors, backup camera, 8inch touch screen, with navigation, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, heated and cooled seats front seats, heated 2nd row seats, power sliding doors and hatch. Upgrading to the SX you get an Infinity® 8-Speaker Audio system and the sound quality is amazing, so much better than the radio in the LX and EX trims. There is also an abundance of USB ports, two up front even a quick charge USB port, one USB port in the second row and 115-Volt Power Inverter, Center Console more than enough to keep all your technology powered. Now onto how it drives, it was to be one of the most confrontable easy driving vehicles that I have ever owned. Driving around town, maneuvering the parking lots is a breeze. There are three driving Modes "Comfort, ECO, and Normal" When you select the Comfort setting the steering wheel takes almost no effort to move and low speeds. On the highway, the road noise is almost nonexistent. From the front seat, you feel like you are driving an SUV, which for me is another positive for the Sedona. If you are in the market for a minivan I recommend driving a couple different ones to see which suits your needs best. For me the decision was simple the Kia won hands down. If you are looking for a van a comfortable ride, with an abundance of features, good looks and great value the Kia Sedona might be for you.

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  GOT MY MONEYS WORTH!! ( Plus A+Safety!) - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Mr.Thick Wallet - January 26 - 2:00 am

  After my family was involved in a major automobile accident (Both vehicles were totaled) It was our decision at the hospital bed that our next minivan would be purchased with Safety first and not just the styling and to our pleasent surprise we landed on KIA SEDONA.

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  Initial Reactions - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By John Deane - January 26 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 2003 Kia Sorento on 12/13. So far, the experience has been excellent. The 3.5 liter engine is ok so far, but it feels underpowered. I do not yet know how the vehicle will handle when I am towing my 2,000 camping trailer. We will see this summer! For the most part, I am please with the initial performance.

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  Impressed - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By Me - January 24 - 4:43 am

  I was very hesitant about buying a Kia, for I have not heard very good things about them in the past. I searched several SUVs and for the price w/ 60K warranty the Sportage is a real bargain! The car is great on gas as long as your foot is not permanently heavy and the seats are very comfortable. There is plenty of space - just as much as the Sorrento and its better on gas. The stereo is very good for factory. My main complaint is there is not arm rest !! So far I love the car.

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  Oh my Amanti! - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Arnie - January 23 - 5:40 pm

  Terrific value! Contemporary looks, plush interior, and all of the right options. I call it my Asian Limousine. Performance and ride are like a limo. You have to drive it like one.

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  KIA Sportage EX, V6 - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Mike - January 23 - 3:13 am

  The re-designed look of the Sportage is beautiful. KIA went all out to make it look better and suceeded. It has the appearance of the Sorento but still maintains the lines and concept of the original Sportage. The handling is excellent and very responsive. The location of all the functional buttions is very convenient for use. The upgraded sound system that comes standard is excellent. It sounds like a very expensive stereo without the big speakers taking up space. I like the fact that the spare tire has been moved and is no longer on the back door. You can also enter the Sportage via the rear window instead of the entire hatchback. Way to go KIA!

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  Why I buying another Sportage - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By BOB PECK - January 21 - 11:23 pm

  The KIA Sportage pleases everyone in our family. The gas mileage is excellent @ 20 in city and 27 hwy with a V6! The ride is absolutely excellent. We enjoy the flexibility of the interior for hauling golf clubs and whatever. The KIA gets many compliments from everyone who rides in it. I am so pleased that after 41,000 miles it has had no issues whatsoever. Just change the oil and put gas in it. I recommend the Sportage to anyone who wants a fun, reliable small SUV.

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  Spectra is here to stay - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Spectra is the BEST - January 21 - 10:00 am

  If you are in the market for a used car? THINK AGAIN! Why buy used, when you can buy NEW? Mine came with A/C, CD player, Auto all for around $13,000. Overall happy with the car, Good gas milage, Brakes work good, Performance is good, Kia has came a long way. & It doesnt cost a fortune to maintain! I highly recommend it to anyone.

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  Fun, sporty and very safe - 2013 Kia Soul
  By aldrich977 - January 20 - 9:22 pm

  I had reservations about owning a Soul or any Kia for that matter. I owned a Rio Cinco back when they first came to the US and hated it. But I bought a 2010 model Soul and fell in love. Unfortunately, I rolled it four times after having a seizure and totaled it. I did break my back, neck and my foot, but considering what could have happened...I think the Soul saved my life. Having to buy a new car, I knew exactly what I had to have...another Soul. Having found a new 2013 model with only a few thousand miles I jumped at the chance. I knew if I have another accident my life will be in good hands. The power and pep it offers are remarkable considering what Kia started with years ago!