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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  2003 KIA Sedona, Gotta Luv it! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By fishingmike - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Already have 3600 miles on it and it is great so far, if I were to say anything outside of great it would be ride over very bumby highways as it is a bit rough, not much more than the Caravan we tested though. Lots of power, trans shifts good so far, mileage is fair and better than stated, about 17 city and 22 to 24 highway, actaully got 27 the 1st trip but had heck of a tail wind across Ohio which is flat so that is NOT to be expected as norm. Radio is fair, better than most stock systems on standard option but not a Bose system either! Overall, so far so good, will report when we hit 12000 miles or a year.

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  Great Value but not completely satisfied - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By JennBinCA - January 21 - 2:00 am

  In first 6 months, had to have it in for repairs 3 separate times because the "engine" light kept coming on (apparently due to the oxygen sensors in the gas tank?). At 18 months, lost the ability to use reverse and had to have a completely new transmission put in and yet still having transmission problems now (VERY rough shifting). Everything so far has been covered by warranty.

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  who would have guessed! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By gilligan - January 21 - 2:00 am

  simply put, what a greatvehicle. I am a street saleman in my car all day. A joy to drive, and the car turns heads. Have had more comments than i can count. Well put together, great performance.

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  Nice vehicle - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By sar34 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Before buying I tested the Nissan Pathfinder and Murano, the Infinity QX4, and Exolorer. The Sorento had the best ride, although the Murano was close. But a comparably equiped Murano is $7K more.

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  My Look at KIA - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Robert Kerr - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I like my KIA it drives well in heavy rain, feel safe and in control. The cruse control on the steering wheel is handy.

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  we love it - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By twinglemom - January 21 - 2:00 am

  We spent alot of time pricing & researching all the different minivans. What it comes down to is you can get just as nice of a van for about $10,000 less than anywhere else! We have now had our van for almost a year & have had no problems with it what so ever...We LOVE it!

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  Fun / Great Deal / Looks Great / Smooth - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Alarm Man - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Overall, we love it - looks great and fits our needs forthe price. A sturdy well built excellent warranty vehicle. If in the market, these are better than Fords or Chevys any day !!!

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  Kia Soul - 2013 Kia Soul
  By candycandela - January 20 - 1:27 am

  I have recently purchased a 2013 Kia Soul. So far I have no complaints. The car is gas efficient which is key for me. The interior is very nice as well. Its my first experience buying a brand new car. { I have only purchased used cars in the past } so I can totally say buying a new car is wonderful. As far as the car, I just love it.

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  Love, Love Love this car! - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By John - January 19 - 9:00 pm

  We bought this car under pressure. The old Nissan Quest was on its last legs (HATED that car!), and we needed something quick. We looked at the Dodge Grand Caravan and it wasnt all that. We looked at an 08 Sedona LX and really liked it, then we noticed a leftover 07 EX on the lot and took it for a drive. Immediate infatuation! I really love driving this car! Its comfortable, has all the features we wanted (but didnt think we could afford) and the price was right.

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  Hercules Unchained - 2001 Kia Spectra
  By Mr. GSX - January 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought this Spectra GSX in August of 2001, I received a strong rebate of $1500.00 cash back, along with a strong warranty, i.e., 100K or (10)yrs., this really eased my apprehension of purchasing a Korea Made Car. Now! The performance suits my liking, 125HP is sufficient for freeway driving. The 5sp manual works well for controlling the vehicle. The GSX Trim level gives an abundance of goodies to enjoy while you drive. Overall I have had very few problems, some shifter Buzz while in third gear, this was corrected with new parts after two visits to the Kia Dealer. After I drive another 50k in this car I will know if I have received my monies worth. I do enjoy this car.