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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  kia sadona - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Chris Loll - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about my Kia, except for a few things like the lack of legroom in the last row. I cannot get anyone over the age of six to sit back there. It is very uncomfortable. I have also found that I am not getting very good gas mileage with the van. I have noticed that I am only getting about half of what was advertised when I purchased the van. Other then that my family loves riding in the van.

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  Go KIA - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By michael taddonio - March 21 - 10:00 am

  One of the best cars that I ever owned!!

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  I LOVE MY SORENTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By CHERI - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY SORENTO! LOOKS LIKE A BMW SUV BUT $30G LESS! MORE ROOM THAN A BMW! I HAVE A 2004 SORENTO EX GREEN W/ 2 TONE TAN & TAN CLOTHE INTERIOR! I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD EVER LOVE AN SUV, BUT I RECOMMEND EVERYONE THE SORENTO!!!!!!!!!!! A+++++ ... FIVE STARS ***** ^^ 2 THUMBS WAAAAY UP! ALL THE LITTLE COMPARTMENTS ARE CUTE. THE SUNROOF IS HUGE AND NOT RIGHT OVER THE DRIVER! I COULD GO ON AN ON, BUT I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 200 WORDS LEFT.... SO TO SUM IT UP.... WAY TO GO KIA! THE SORENTO DEFINETLY HAS MY VOTE AS #1 IN SAFETY, RELIABILITY, I LOVE THE WARANTEE, PERFECT-O!!!!

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  loveing it! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By eliott - March 21 - 10:00 am

  the best suv ever!

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  Debs New Rig - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By D.Craig - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I really enjoy driving my Sorento, it handles well, and you can see out of it very nicely. I am still getting used to having things in different locations from my old vehicle. But in the short time that I have had my rig, I have enjoyed driving it very much.

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  my kia - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By cin - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I love my sorento!!!

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  The best SUV for your money - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By billy bobs stake hou - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The BEST SUV THAT MONEY CAN BUY. This is one of the 4 Kias I have all have given me the best ride for my money. I LOVE MY KIA

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  I love my sorento! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By sweetpea - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I have has my sorento for over a year and I am in love. I love the way it looks and drives. I get so many compliments on it. I have just enough room for my busy life with a toddler. The other day, I had a buggy full of groceries, two ficus trees, a stroller, and so much more in the car and still had plenty of room. However, as a young mother, Im still a little sporty. This car was the best choice for me and my family.

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  Kia Service - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By LouisJ - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Battery went dead in one year. Cargo cover started to fray. Both were replaced under warranty without question. Very Happy

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  ME AND MY KIA....PERFECT TOGETHER!!!!!!! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By mmglord - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The Kia Sorento is a wonderful car. I am so pleased with my Kia....I would buy another one in a heart-beat! It handles great, it looks wonderful, its great on gas, its sooooo big on the inside....its extremely comfortable for my passengers and for me......what else could you ask for.