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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  Pay attention Honda! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Willoughbean - May 28 - 4:20 pm

  Just picked up a 2011 Sorento EX 2WD, 4cyl with Prem Pkg 1 and 3rd row for my wife. Bright silver with black leather--Very sharp !!. Im a Honda buyer for the last 4 cars and drive a 2010 Ridgeline now that I love, but Kia has put up a CR-v killer here in the Sorento. Better exterior looks, more interior room and better finish, all the hi tech goodies and options at a great price. Thanks for putting the factory in Georgia and a bumper to bumper warranty that backs up their fine work for 5/y ,100k and 10 years on powertrain.

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  Drove 6 SUVs and went back for the KIA - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Jeremy - May 26 - 11:26 pm

  In June my wife and I decided we were going to get a new suv as we were expecting our first child in July. We test drove the Sorento and really liked it but I am one to take my time and do some research. So in the next two weeks we also test drove an Escape, an Equinox, and I had previously driven a Trailblazer and Durango. Needless to say nothing out could touch the amount of features & refinement the Kia Sorento has & for an unbeatable price. We ended up buying a White EX model with the sport package and could not be more happy with it. Our daughter is now 11 days old and really loves going for rides in the Sorento & there is more than enough room. I was even able to put a 7 foot ladder in it.

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  Screamin Hot Value - 2010 Kia Forte
  By BrettChandler - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Great features like Bluetooth, Sirius, nice leather, heated seats, and a wonderfully-tuned sport suspension. Motor pulls well, though a little weak below 2,500 rpm. I STILL havent been able to make the tires howl in a turn, let alone break traction. Styling is wonderful. The exterior has fantastic proportions. The interior is comfortable, and theres remarkable rear seat space for a compact sports coupe.

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  Fine Piece of Machinery - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Tom - May 24 - 9:46 am

  I took over ownership of the car at 17000 miles from my Dad. Currently it has over 92000 miles on it and runs like new.Fuel economy is great.I live in Chicago currently and consistently return over 30mpg in heavy traffic and lots of urban driving.Open road and under less stressful conditions at my previous residence I was consistently returning 36-41 depending on the situation.Kia has the stigma of being cheap but I assure this car is not cheap.It performs very well and I have spent nothing on maintenance except for the usual things like oil changes.The only thing special I do with it is that I use a product called engine restore after each oil change.Kia has done a great job.

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  outstanding - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By james b - May 23 - 5:16 am

  Quality, warranty, performance and comfort; totally awesome for low priced vehicle. So good my wife and I purchased another one a week later.

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  2005 Kia Sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By P. McPherson - May 22 - 2:40 am

  Great car for a good price. Liked the exterior and interior and the options available. Havent had to service the vehicle except for oil changes and tire rotation.

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  my comments - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By tplans1 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  solid construction, quick response, good horse power

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  solid suv - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By exds - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Sorento is attractive and very solid suv. It is very capable in the mud. Much more comfortable than was the Honda CRV I traded. The Kia dealership has treated me very well. It is a shame that they do not make a mid-sized pick up as it would put the Dakota to shame.

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  Glad I chose this vehicle! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Natalie N - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for an affordable SUV - something that I thought I would never find! Then the Kia Sorentos came out and I hit the jackpot! Not only was it affordable but it was good looking too! It only got better when I took it for a test drive - it drove beautifully. I am pleased with my purchase and the compliments on my vehicle keep rolling in.

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  I Love my Kia Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Sicily - May 22 - 2:00 am

  My Kia Sorento is perfect for our family of four. It drives well and handels well in the snow and icey condictions in Indiana. I feel very safe riding in my SUV. It has the highest side impact rating by the government. The Kia rodes high off the road so you can see a lot of whats ahead of you. It comes with lots of standard features that I consiter extras.