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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  Great Van for the price - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By SCORPIO1 - August 4 - 2:00 am

  So far, this mini-van has performed really well and rides really smooth. Im not too happy with the gas mileage. It seems like Im filling up every other day. For the price range & the amenities, the Kia Sedona is worth it. I recommend it!!!

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  We love it - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By John Marshall - August 4 - 2:00 am

  Its great! Very sharp looking. The performance is wonderful and the ride is very smoothe compared to the Explorer Sport that we traded in. We got one with a rear seat entertainment system and the kids love it. The system includes wireless headphones for the dvd player. There are only a few things I wish were different. First, the gas mileage is not great. Second, the rear seat headrests partially obscure the view out the rear view window. Third, I wish there was more cargo room in the back when all the seats are installed.

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  Kia Sportage versus Rav 4 - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By mjbauer24 - August 3 - 5:23 pm

  Just drove our new Kia Sportage home yesterday. We owned an SUV prior to this purchase, but unfortunately it got totaled when I hit a patch of ice last week. After being used to driving an SUV (we had a mini-van prior to that) I dont like the feel of a car, so we test drove the Kia Sportage and the Rav 4. Both performed well, but when it came to price the Kia won. Almost bought a Kia several years ago but didnt like the way they drove. The 2007 model has greatly improved Kias performance and reliablity tests.

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  My Rondo - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By jdjjkj - August 3 - 10:40 am

  My Rondo is so nice to drive and it is great to not be a mini van mom any longer but still have the room. I will miss the cargo room though that my van had if we have 7 passengers. When it is just the four of us and the dog we are comfortable for a long trip.

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  Love my Kia Amanti - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Thomasine Carrington - August 2 - 1:26 am

  Great car. Attracts attention wherever I go. Drives smoothly and looks like a Rolls.

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  Driving fun. - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By R.Fletcher - July 31 - 8:56 pm

  Driving my Sedona mini-van is always a pleasure. Getting on the inter-state from a ramp is no problem at all with the power it has, and passing is also easy. Although the gas mileage is not the best,I"ll swap that for the power.

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  too soon to say, but love it - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Viki - July 31 - 6:43 pm

  Love the car. Luxury, luxury, great for the $$$. Had 1000 miles on it, but so far love it. Drive mainly in city about 18 miles per gal around town. Only put about 200 miles on it but trip coming soon. Gave it all 5 as starting point on ratings.

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  Luxury @ Half the Price! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By allissa1963 - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I have the top of the line Kia Optima and it is every bit as luxurious, inside and out, as the Lincoln LS. As a matter of fact, they look identical on the inside. I love my Kia and would reccomend it to anyone looking for a new car.

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  Rating for 2004 Kia - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By papagoof - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Wepurchased the van 3 months ago and have put 4300 miles on it. We love it except for the gas milage. It averages 20 on the highway, not the 22 posted on the window sticker. But other than that, it is a super minivan.

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  HanKOOK Tires - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Blimpnurse - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I had this car about 3 months and much trouble with the Hankook Tires. Had the vehicle only 3 days and a flat tire. Two weeks later another flat. A Month later the two front tires got flat spots from a normal skid.They had to be replaced. Has anybody had problems like this ???