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 Price, LT reliability TBD - 2008 Kia Sedona
  By NYC - November 4 - 6:56 am

  Sedona is a lower initial cost minivan vs. competition. The 10yr/100K warranty provides some insurance if you are concerned about Kias long term reliability. The Sedona is a great family minivan; functional. Very powerful engine, smooth drive, shifts well. You can buy a new 2008 LX for under $16K with negiotiating. I drove Hondas for years, still do, but the Sedona pricing was too good to pass up. I need to have $7K in repairs to break even with purchasing a Honda or Toyota. Great value.

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  Super happy ! - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By ajpoltz - November 4 - 6:01 am

  WOW ! Never expected so much usable power from the base L 2.4 4 cylinder. First new car in 15 years and I shopped them all hard. Rav 4 boring , small and oil burning issues. Honda CRV CVT transmission farce, vibration problems. Escape too small. CX-5 smaller and no reclining seats, cheap feel and vibrating engine. Rogue CVT junk. Equinox rough feel poor cornering. The Sorento blew these all away in my test drives and feels even better after 1000 miles. 22 MPG in city driving, excellent cornering when pushed hard and pretty smooth ride. Very quiet on highway . The other car makers are losing so many sales due to Kia product and their own mistakes (see above comments and google it ) .Japanese coasting on reputation and counting on buyers whose parents had a great Honda or Toyota. I feel even better with my decision and would have had serious regret with several of the other choices available in this class. The kids love the far reclining rear seats and a LARGE dog kennel fits in the back (5 seat model). Interior quality, feel , comfort and intuitive controls and beautiful dash. I like the L base because of price and I dont need to add weight or complexity. The 6 speed transmission shifts nice and you can manual shift ( without it up or downshifting on its own except at stop it goes in to first gear) Lots of torque and power from down low 2000-4000 is sweet and engine is never strained .

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  I love my Kia! - 2004 Kia Rio
  By CCatsNana - November 4 - 2:00 am

  My Kia gets me everywhere I want to go! I love it!

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  cheap on gas ,reliable,easy to dent. - 2004 Kia Rio
  By daniel wood - November 4 - 2:00 am

  i bought this car for my wife to drive back and forth to school. it is very reliable and fuel efficent and who can beat that warranty. down side rides like a buck board needs power steering,and dont ever pull out in front of traffic and think you have enough power to sneek by.

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  2004 Kia Rio - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Jose Meraz - November 4 - 2:00 am

  This automobile is a car drivers dream come true. has a exellent gas milage and a great interior and exterior the 2004 kia rio is a very riliable car.

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  kia a great commuter car - 2004 Kia Rio
  By pickle - November 4 - 2:00 am

  i bought my rio as a commuter car and it has done excellent! i get 38 mpg and it only cost $7,900.00!...new! i havent needed the great warranty as of yet. ive taken a 400 mile trip in it and i was happy with the drivers seat comfort, it has 5 adjustments for driver comfort.

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  I LIKE MY SPECTRA - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By KAYG - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had my new car for little over three months and I love driving it. Even with a four cl. On the open highway it handels good, I love the style. The only neg. thing I can say is the sterring when turned to sharp it screams.

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  Kia Sedona - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By John Doe2234 - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Very happy with everything

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  2003 Sedona - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By dave snoke - November 4 - 2:00 am

  5 months, and fewer than 5,000 miles. Absolutely no problems, and no complaints. Be advised, gas mileage on EPA sticker is not overstated: gear ratios selected to provide power are paid for in somewhat lower fuel economy. A very well designed and built vehicle.

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  my Sorrento is Great ! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Robert Garonzi - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Im very satisified with my purchase. I have recommeded it to my friends and coworkers.