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 value, but peculiar seats - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By FDR - November 29 - 8:13 pm

  This is my second Kia (first was a 98 Sephia). In both vehicles the drivers seats are too short from front to rear. Other than that, the ride and seating are great. My kids (teenagers of substantial size) enjoy riding in any of the rows. The sliding door windows are also a little strange, and create a very irritating buffet at highway speeds if just one sliding door window is rolled down. Gizmos work as advertised. I bought sans roof rack in order to take advantage of the big owner loyalty rebate, and I am waiting for the dealer to let me know if the rack is in. It might be a little too mannerly, as I found myself going way too fast on the NJ Turnpike, feeling like 20 mph less.

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  The Unbelievable 2006 Kia Sedona - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By rdgramling - November 29 - 2:53 pm

  Simply amazing! The price hooked us and the test drive reeled us in. We love everything about this vehicle. We have only had the car a couple of weeks, but have loved every day. We make up reasons to go for a drive. The turning radius is amazing, the fuel economy surprising, and the added features are almost endless. Attention to detail is what I ultimately love best. There are so many extras, we actually had to read the manual to remember all the buttons. A little practice and now it isnt a problem. With three kids, ease of access has also proven beneficial.

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  Not a happy consumer - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Very disatisfied - November 29 - 9:30 am

  I have had nothing but problems since day one. Brakes have been repaired over 10 times. Mostly the first year. Wiring harness melted, so bad the rear brake light melted. Seat latches in 3rd row keeps breaking. Doors freeze close. With 3 kids having to get out back not fun. Kia not very cooperative. Alignment keeps going out. On third set of tires. Need new again. Forth set of headlights. Out again. Dealer and KIA not very friendly or helpful. Places blame on me. Had to file a lawsuit. After 3 years they acknowledge van is lemon. Not a very happy consumer considering I worked hard to have something nice and turned out to be a headache!!!!!

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  Kias First van is a sucess - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By kialover15 - November 28 - 5:23 am

  This van has been such a blessing. We needed to get an affordable van that was able to have a wheelchair lift installed, we had no idea that it was going to be such a great van. It was very comfortable, great visibility. We have only had 1 problem in the 6 years that we have had it, and it was still under warranty when the A/C went bad. Oh great Warranty too. We have a lot of experience with Kia since the sedona, would recommend any of the 10 models to people.

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  Our Car... - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Heather - November 27 - 10:06 pm

  We got everything we were looking for with our Kia. After looking at the Honda Pilot, Toyota 4Runner and the Jeep Liberty, I am so glad we chose this car.

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  Boring, but I love it! - 2007 Kia Optima
  By bkoeth - November 27 - 12:10 pm

  I looked at every car out there. I liked the Optima right away. After I first drove it, I knew it was the car I wanted. I am very picky with my cars, and have a couple of styling gripes (why is the roofline so much higher in front than in back!?) but overall its an unassuming car I dont have to be embarassed to be seen in. Fit and finish are superb. The only thing that feels cheap are the interior door handles. The car is unbelievably quiet, which makes it a pleasure for leisurely driving. Mileage had proven to be amazing for such a large car. On that note, it is VERY roomy and for thousands less than a Civic LX I just feel like I got more car for the money.

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  Rollover Deathtrap - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Soisi - November 27 - 2:00 am

  Simply put, these vehicles are too narrow, too short and thus rollover too easily. My wife turned one over four times after a gust of wind hit the Kia broadside in a heavy rain. Aggressive driving manuevers, such as trying to correct after a skid will flip these vehicles. I do not suggest them for anyone.

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  GET ONE NOW!! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By jason sheets - November 27 - 2:00 am

  EVERYTHING I WANTED< NOTHING, ELSE COMPARES...PRICE, WARRANTY, SAFETY... ASK FOR MIKE WATSON!!!

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  2017 KIA Sportage - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Bridgette Gilson - November 26 - 10:18 pm

  Would hold out for the highest package with power hatch in 2 wheel drive.

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  NEW OPTIMA FIRST 4 DOOR - 2008 Kia Optima
  By daewkia - November 25 - 9:06 am

  Well decided to try a KIA got my optima very base model only option "floormatts" so far I am impressed what you get as a base car,pwr windows, nice stereo w/cd player,pwr locks,a/c I just wish it had cruise control,I do not drive to much as I have a company car but I am in a new city and wanted a reliable car.I am suprised how peppy the car is and how the fit and finish seems above average.I expect this to be a great car excellent warranty I will be taking a 1000 mi trip soon and fully expect it will be a pleasure and very comfortable drive, I only have 195 mi on the car as of now BUT I expect to have the car for a long time to come and will report back. purchase price was 12,500 total