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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  Good Car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By kiadriver21 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Kia Spectra a couple of months ago and I love it. It is comfortable for both me and my husband to drive and he is a foot taller than me. The review for this car states that it has poor brakes but I have not found this to be the case. Maybe it is made a little cheap, but you get what you pay for - I couldnt ask more paying only 11k for it after the 2k rebate. It has thoughtful features and an excellent warranty.

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  Yes to Kia! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Tawetze - April 29 - 10:00 am

  The best van weve ever bought especially in comparison to the Ford Windstar. So many features for a good price. I recommend the Kia Sedonna to anybody. You wont be dissatisfied.

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  exceptional buy - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By appassionata - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Wow, when our 2000 Chrysler Voyager began five and diming us after 40000 miles, we decided to cut our losses and trade in. The Kia was 5,000 LESS than our stripped Chrysler. I would recommend this car to ANYONE!!!

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  Excellent Choice - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Erich - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a 4WD vehicle to deal with the past New England winter. After going through about (5) vehicles I caught a look at the KIA at my friends dealership. Everything about it appealed to me. The contents of the book complimentes the cover. One thing that really appeals to me is that the gas tank fill is on the passenger side. Good for all the Jersey natives.

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  Please Be Careful! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By seaojoy - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my Hyundai Santa Fe for the Kia Sorrento LX, BIG MISTAKE!!! Poor gas mileage, over-steering, and by far the most DANGEROUS aspect to this SUV are the BLIND SPOTS that the Sorrento is plagued with. The front hood slope makes parking w/o hitting a curb or stall barricade impossible. Complete driver and passenger side blind spots. Finally, because the rear cargo hatch window is situated so high, you really cant see smaller cars directly behind you. Ive been driving for 34-years, and this SUV terrifies me.

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  Glad I Purchased - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Ynotturbo - April 28 - 7:23 pm

  I just purchased my spicey red EX Christmas Eve. I need a commuter car that not only looks good but is fun to drive. I selected the 5 speed version making my commute to work a pleasure. The Fortes fit and finish is outstanding and the sound system cant be beat for the price. I looked at other cars and found that the KIA had more standard options for the price making it a no brainer. Mine has the sunroof and upgraded wheel package. It is a clean looking, fun, and comfortable vehicle that gets great gas milage. The price was just a Tad over 17K out the door. Cant beat that for a new that appears to be built to last. My dealer also gave me free oil changes and tire rotations 4 life.

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  Great buy for your money - 2008 Kia Sedona
  By Elle - April 28 - 12:43 am

  Were expecting twins next month and couldnt avoid the inevitable minivan purchase (2 carseats in a Sentra just wouldnt cut it!). My father was the one who steered me towards a Kia based soley on its reviews and warranty. I test drove all the major brands and to my surprise, the Kia stood far out in my opinion. You get a LOT for your money (especially with the rebates) and its actually comfortable to drive. Some of the vans out there seriously make you feel like youre driving a bus! I would recommend the Kia Sedona to anyone looking for a minivan, even recommend the brand to anyone just looking for a car! I was always a Nissan person, but Im glad I opened my eyes to Kia.

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  AWESOME!! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Mrs. Tamara - April 25 - 9:00 pm

  I own a 2017 Kia Sportage and say no more, its easy on gas, quick on acceleration, quiet and I call it "My Lady Bug" lol. I love the style and the space in the back seat is good. I can fit 5 people in my Sportage with no problem. However I wish I could have got AWD instead of FWD, thats the only thing I would change. Its affordable, reliable, the trial SiriusXM Radio is so nice, hardly no commercials (Finally) I dont have to listen to the radio talking. Back to the Sportage, I own a Lexus SUV 2005 & I have two nice vehicles. Just goes to show me cars dont have to cost a fortune to be comfortable & cute.

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  KIA Sedona is so terrible car. - 2015 Kia Sedona
  By Dijei - April 24 - 1:11 pm

  KIA Sedona is so terrible car. Because I experienced lots of car problems and poor service about KIA Sedona and car agency in only one year after buying the car. For example, several times water leaking of sun roof, Front windows projecting rubber, Flat tire, Failure of auto alarm, etc.. The worst thing is terrible service of KIA car agency and Support Center. They didnt take care of customers inconvenience and discomport due to their car, not at all. And they didnt response customers problem. Their service is so terrible. So I would not buy KIA car in the future any more.

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  My Kia is better than my Volvo - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Ro - April 24 - 4:23 am

  This car replaced a 2004 Volvo S40. I found the 2006 Kia to be comparable to the car it replaced in most respects: the sound system is superior as is the quiet, smooth ride. This car compares to a Volvo but the sticker shock and cost of maintenance is far lower. I would definitely recommend this car!