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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  Just purchased - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Kwhite138 - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased my Sorento yesterday, so mileage, build quality, etc., cant be judged. However, I traded my 2000 Kia Sportage in for the Sorento (pur. 10/99). I never had any problems, so I think the quality will be good.

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  Never again! - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By tamos - November 20 - 12:56 am

  I bought my Kia less than a year ago. I cannot even remember all of the times I have had to take it to be fixed. I have replaced the timing belt, fan motor, front tires etc. etc. I also had problems with the doors not opening and sometimes not closing in the winter. I was told it could be fixed for about $314. I would never buy a Kia again. I remember the old Kia adds that boasted that Kias would last for 200,000 miles. I cannot believe that mine will last for 150,000. Next time I will buy American!

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  Ok for new van - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By W.L.HORN - November 19 - 2:26 pm

  I traded a 1990 Dodge gran caravan for the red 2004 lx Kia Sedona. Found it roomy for its smaller size. Plenty of storage compartments and the am/FM/cd player was great extra power outlets helpful for charging cell phones etc found the 3.5 6 cyl to be fast and the overdrive trans well suited the vans performance, but fuel mpg was rate 16 Im lucky to get 13 city 16 hwy Cruise control works well saves fuel on long trips. In four years of ownership have had to replace the fuel pump. Front brakes. Alternator, battery, front heater fan, all covered by the warranty except the brakes. Dealer maintenance is high over length of warranty 10 yrs 100,000 miles, paint has held up well except around the door handles

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  Not without its compromises - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Seth - November 18 - 11:40 pm

  My wife really wanted a Kia Soul, so after a few days of research, we headed down to the Kia dealership. My other car is a MkV Volkswagen GTI, so my standards for the Soul were pretty high. The exterior styling is great, only complaint being the fake fender vents. The interior is attractive, roomy, and extremely well screwed together, but the materials are hard and cheap plastic. Handles well, but straight line acceleration is just acceptable. Not spirited but it keeps up with traffic well enough. The thermostat got stuck open at 700 miles, tripping the check engine light. Car was fixed same-day under warranty, which is all I could ask. Fun to drive despite lack of power.

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  From full size truck to mid sized SUV - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Tom Sanders, Jr. - November 15 - 9:09 pm

  Initial impression...very positive. I have driven full sized trucks for a number of years and was ready for something a bit more economical while retaining some utility. I was drawn to the size of the Sorento, not as small as other utes but not full sized either. Similar in size to my fathers Highlander but MUCH less expensive. I am impressed with the fuel economy - 29 on interstate, approx. 22 in town...averaging 24.5 currently. Back seat is roomy. Back up camera turns with the car, nice feature. Much more room and quieter than my wifes RAV4 with similar economy. My only nagging item is a significant delay when using the Bluetooth phone dialing function. I am going to "resave" some of my more frequently utilized contacts to see if that helps. Phone clarity is good, just placing the call takes time. The warranty was a selling feature and I got a really good deal at Fredy Kia in Houston, TX. I have installed a Curt 2" hitch but I have not yet installed the wiring kit or towed anything.

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  watch out, KIA is here to stay - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By tsedhun69 - November 15 - 2:40 pm

  I was looking for smaller SUV/cuv and did test drive several different brand in three months period but then accidentally stop by Kia dealership and spotted 2011 sorento and just fell in love with the design and interior features and the price. I traded in my 4runner and bought my sorento a month ago and it drives like a champ and with all these features like bluetooth, double sunroofs, Sirius radio, backup camera heated front seat etc, Ive been driving Toyota for 9years they are too spoiled, customer service bad. So, anyone out there looking for smaller SUV, you should definitely stop by Kia dealership and test drive sorento 2011 and check it out. And its made in usa. You cant go wrong with Kia

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  Sedona Forever - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By Wally - November 14 - 8:36 pm

  With only 55,000 miles on it, this Kia Sedona has many trouble free years in front of it. Second and third row seats have more leg room than most other mini vans, but that still is not a lot. Tires are relatively new (less than one year), and the motor is clean and has never failed us. I usually keep a vehicle for 6-7 years, but this one we kept for ten because it is so good. Now its time to move on. You cant go wrong with this 2007 Kia Sedona.

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  Big surprise - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Mr JP - November 14 - 4:23 am

  In the past 20 years I have owned 9 major brand SUVs. This one is by far the best of the lot. All the other simular SUVs cost more but deliver less. Just take a good look at what Kia offers; it makes me think that any review less then tops would be hard to do. The Sorento EX should sell for at least $28,000 and it still would be a great deal. At $25,000, with a V6, what could you buy that compares?

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  Love my 2017 Kia Sorento!! - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Courtney Bolling - November 14 - 3:45 am

  I had only driven Hondas for the past 17 years. Kia has won me over! This vehicle has everything I could ask for, with a 10 year warranty and a great price! I couldnt be happier!

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  Better then what I thought! - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By spacex4xrent - November 14 - 2:33 am

  I recently bought the van, at first i wasnt expecting much. The gold color on the van didnt really appeal to me, and the interior color wasnt made for a 20 year old. However, the van performed way beyond my expectations. The V6 engine is powerful, the acceleration gives the car a smooth ride, the comfortable seats makes waiting in LA traffic relaxing! =] Also, the customer service at Allstar Kia is the best! Professional, honest, and wonderful