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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  4 month update Kia Sorento EX AWD V6 - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Upstate NewYorker - May 26 - 4:20 am

  Have had my Kia Sorento EX AWD V6 since March. Now 4 months later and 5000 miles, am still very impressed! 3 adults traveled 2500 miles with stops all over New England area and the Sorento was FANTASTIC. 23.2 MPG even going through NYC and NJ freeways jammed up traffic. Voice activated Navigation was wonderful and my favorite option was bluetooth phone linked to my nav screen with touch screen button to call hotel look up. AWESOME! This is a GREAT BUY and is now made mostly in U.S.A. Recommend this SUV. We traded in a 2007 Mazda CX-9 Grand touring fully loaded and only thing we are missing in the Kia is HID headlights and rear climate control.

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  Simple Quality with a little style - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Gregg - May 24 - 5:26 pm

  I was shocked that I bought a Kia, but a friend said to test drive one and I was done shopping. Fit and Finish equal or better than Toyota. Price thousands less for more car. I own a restaurant and needed more space to haul catering orders than my MINI could fit.

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  I love it! 2011 Kia Sportage Base - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Itzel - May 23 - 8:54 pm

  I have had it for 2 months. I love it and my three-year-old son loves it as well. I like the color because I have never seen it on a car. I have gotten many compliments on it. I have plenty of space for me as I am 52. Its equipped with a backup camera and Bluetooth connection. The only thing we have done is an oil change and new tires l. I dont like plastic edges on the outside of the car.

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  My other car is a Camaro SS - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By LuvMyKia - May 23 - 11:33 am

  My other cars are a 1999 Camaro SS and a 1996 Impala SS, so I am used to vehicles with power and good handling. Within its limits (it is a minvan) the Kias handling is excellent and the engine makes good power under all conditions. Amazing for a 4500 lbs minivan. My whole family loves this vehicle.

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  Real Pleasure to Drive - 2011 Kia Optima
  By jillyfish - May 23 - 4:02 am

  Former Lincoln owner, this car is fun and comfortable! Fantastic value.

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  Superb vehicle - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Manuel Agurcia - May 22 - 1:53 pm

  The most for your hard earned buck. No match.Period. Value and Safety in one hot outfit. And the best warranty in the market.

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  Good highway car - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By dexter - May 22 - 9:36 am

  Purchased this car to drive to school (260 miles round trip) four days a week. It gets 36-38 mpg and rides surprisingly well. Good build quality especially for the price. Never owned a kia before but if the quality of this car is indicative for the rest of their line I see an Amanti in my very near future.

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  SMART MONEY - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By MOOCH - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I had no intention of purchasing a Kia Sedona, when visited my local dealership to trade in my 93 Villager. I had test drove many minivans and was not impressed with them including the much acclaimed Chrysler mini-vans. My Kia dealership is also a Honda dealership. They always have a good selection low mileage used vehicles. I tested a 2000 Dodge Caravan for 24 hours, I was not in the least bit impressed. The vehicle was cheap and bland. The dealership offered me a 2000 Kia Sedona demo, my wife and I were impressed with the vehicle. I could not believe that a vehicle could cost thousands of dollars less than its competitors and be superior in many ways.

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  Great SUV for the money - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By justme - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Narrowed search to Mazda Tribute, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, KIA Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe. After driving, narrowed to 2 SUVs. Mazda/Ford rode rough and bad wind/road noise, also couple thousand $ more than rest. After drive Santa Fe and Sorento are best. Wouldnt you know? The choices basically from same company. After looking closely you see they shared some of same components. But, clincher was Santa Fe almost $4000 less than Sorento and that made diffeerence to us this time. However, both great and have reasons for choosing one over other. Bigger engine/flat-folding seats not worth extra 4 Gs so Santa Fe won.

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  Luv my Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By pecksorento - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I never thought I would ever buy a kia in my life until I test drove one. I was shocked on how well it performed on the road. Not to mention how sharpe it looks on the outside. Everywhere I go someone compliments me on how good it looks and if I like it or not, and I tell them I love it.