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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  Wow what an SUV!!! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By gourmetdad - October 4 - 10:00 am

  I love this car, it is so fun to drive and own. Its the only SUV that I have been in that sits right up there with full size pickups and didnt cost me an arm and a leg. You really need to reconsider if you are going to buy an SUV and not give the Sorento a look first. Major difference between the Sorento and the Santa Fe, I have driven the Lexus RX330 and there is no difference except the price and thats a big difference.

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  I bought a Kia - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By versteegta - October 4 - 10:00 am

  I was looking at buying a Saturn Vue before someone told me to check out a Kia Sorento. I decided that looking a Kia would be good for a laugh. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. And when I opened the door and sat in the drivers seat - I was sold.

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  ITS A SURE THING! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Duggy - October 2 - 7:03 am

  Have had a Camry, Jetta, civic, and between the 4 cars, the Forte has had the worst mpg.. Granted I warm my car n winter and only avg City 18 mp.. Hopefully 22 in the Spring... Otherwise car has been a Dream! It felt and still feels like quality, from its sleek design exterior/interior, To its amazing warranty! Its rough on bumps, but seats are comfy and the bumps just makes it feel TOUGH! Love the AUX/USB Ipod hookup! Plenty of storage..Traction Control is great in winter! Downside to buying LX is no Cruise.. Aftermarket $399 installed..Only have driven 1260 miles but very SATISFIED!

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  Update -- Better than Expectedd - 2012 Kia Optima
  By fixer199 - October 1 - 4:18 am

  42,000 mile update. This car has been one of the most trouble-free and enjoyable cars weve ever owned. Still dont recommend the Nav unit, but I understand Kia changed it for 2013. Nexen tires are crap! We swapped them for Michellins at 30k. HUGE improvement in handling, quiet, and wet traction. We log our fuel usage and have averaged 25.53 mpg since new. About 80% of that was metro driving. We usually get 30-33 on road trips. Dealer service has been excellent. Had one issue with a burr on the steering gear. My wife didnt even notice it, but the dealer took care of it and provided a loaner. No hassles. Wish I could say the same for my Ford truck dealer.

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  Luxury for less - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By lailani - September 30 - 8:53 pm

  I traded in my Mazda Miata convertible for something more safe at the urging of my over- protective mother and sister. I drive almost constantly, so it was a good idea after all. I bought the Amanti with 13,000 miles on it almost 3 1/2 years ago and it now has 106,000 miles. I have only had to perform regular maintenance on the car. It has taken me all over the western states in super comfort and I proved the safety of the car in a minor accident. Someone crashed into me while I was at a stoplight and I kind of cocked my head to the side and said... did someone just hit me? It felt like a minor bump to me, but ended up crunching the other car pretty well.

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  Sweeeeeeet Vehicle - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By guppee - September 30 - 2:59 pm

  Purchased Sorento SX AWD in Ebony Blk to replace 06 Sportage EX AWD. Had no problems w/ Sportage, but wanted something a little roomier.So far,(1800 mi.),decision was GREAT! Getting 2 MPG better overall with Sorento than smaller Sportage and performance is far better. Some other reviews of EX and LX models complain of harsh/stiff ride, but the DFD shocks on SX must take care of that, as ride/handling is terrific. Very good value,as any comparable vehicles with same equipment/features run $6--8k more.

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  Sorento Rocks - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By James Bender - September 30 - 2:00 am

  We love our Sorento!!! Just bought it loaded out except for the Luxury package. It has the looks of the Lexus, great power, and so much more room than the lexus.

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  excelent - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By tony lucas - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I love this korean suv, because it is a really affordable luxury vehicle. Looks like a Lexus, but a half the price. extended warranty is very important

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  So far so good - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Placeman - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Im very happy with my decision to buy the Sorento. The fit and finish is very Honda-ish, without the price. I did have a power lock relay break the day I picked it up. I believe it was blown before I picked it up though. Either way, my new Sorento spent its first night in the shop. Oh well. I just hope that this is not a premonition of what is to come.

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  fun to drive, excellent rear headroom - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Tim - September 30 - 1:50 am

  With the manual transmission, the Spectra5 is a fun car to drive, with decent acceleration & handling. (I thought the automatic was a little underpowered; maybe it just needed to be shifted into Low sometimes. But isnt the point of an automatic to do that automatically?) I ended up with power windows/locks (std), side air bags (std), ABS (opt), and sunroof (opt) for $1000 less than Id have gotten another car for -- without those features. Its amazing how many cars I ruled out because of too little rear headroom (my son & I are both >6); we both easily fit in the back of the Spectra5. (The headroom in the Spectra is the same, but I wanted something other than a basic 4-door sedan).