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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  This is a great SUV for the money - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By Christopher - April 14 - 2:36 am

  I love my Sorento. The gas mileage is abysmal. Once you get over that, and the fact that the stereo is a bit weak, it is terrific in all other respects. It is very well put together with intuitive controls, an attractive interior, great seats, nice exterior design, nice wheels and terrific paint quality. I also like that they dont try to make this a seven seater but instead are very thoughtful with the storage area and addl storage throughout. If Kia could get a better stereo, nav option and work on the gas mileage, this would be the best SUV in its class.

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  excellent - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Ellen Keser - April 14 - 2:00 am

  It drives quiet and the driver feels safe behind the wheel

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  luv my kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Robin - April 12 - 5:20 am

  I enjoy driving my Kia but I will go back to a pickup with my next vehicle. This car makes a little wind noise when on the highway but other than that it is a great bang for the buck.

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  Great Buy! - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Tina - April 10 - 9:30 pm

  This is my first new car and I dont think I could have done any better! Smooth driving and great gas mileage.

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  Awesome 4x4 - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By georgia_bunny69 - April 10 - 10:33 am

  I love my kia sportage 4x4, its small on the outside, but has way more room than you would expect inside. And the 4x4 has gotten me out of some tough spots. I took it through a creek with the tail pipe submerged in three feet of water, and my truck never once cut out or stalled.

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  Happy with my Rio - 2011 Kia Rio
  By mdv076 - April 10 - 9:15 am

  Its small. runs smooth and it has all the features I need. My Kia Rio LX is all I wanted and more.

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  Excellent Value - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By 1dukefan - April 9 - 8:16 pm

  Drove a 1000 mile round trip in the last 4 days. We do this trip at least twice a year and this is the first vehicle we have owned, including a Honda Odyssey that my back doesnt bother me. Very comfortable. Gas mileage varied 21 to 23.5 at 70 to 80 mph. Pretty good for a vehicle this size.

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  Excellent vehicle! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By bek - April 9 - 10:00 am

  Everything is perfect, except that I hate the massive "Kia" logo on the front. Why did they have to make it so big? Also, the fuel economy is crappy, but about par for many SUVs.

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  Rondo for the family - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By tgahan - April 9 - 3:36 am

  Were very impressed by the load capacity and the visibility. Big, beautiful windows that allow for a really fun and open drive-feel.

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  Transmissions - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Lori - April 8 - 6:03 am

  New transmission at 2000 miles - fighting with Kia at 60,000 for 2nd transmission. I like the car fine. It runs well (most of the time), gets ok gas mileage. Only problem I have is at 60,000 miles have to replace timing belt. Warranty does not cover car if this not done at 60,000. Getting ok from KIA for dealer to fix my car is a nightmare.