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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  Awesome Sorento! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By kiareview - September 3 - 10:30 pm

  So happy with my new Sorento! Traded in my 2006 Sorento for this major improvement. 4 cylinder AWD has more than enough power to get up Seattle hills. Cant wait to go test it out in the snow. Love the standard features of bluetooth, steering wheel controls, and ipod dock. You MUST get the convenience package! An extra $500 bucks or so gets you fog lights, roof rack, back up sensors, and a back up camera in the rear view mirror. After all of the rebates, loyalty discount, and dealer cash, I was able to get out the door for just over $20,000. Bought on last day of the month too.

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  Kia Newbee - Sorento 2011 Thoughts - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By e_today - September 3 - 8:33 pm

  This is our first Kia. We have been a Ford and Dodge only family. Since the Sorento is USA made I felt better about the branding issue. This new Sorento 2011 is really different and superior than the 2009, which we compared side by side. Kia skipped 2010 production. This car is a crossover and compares to the Ford Flex and Rav4. The big difference is price, about 30% more bang with Kia. Read the Edmunds review about the Kia 2011 Sorento, it is similar to my opinion. Smaller engine power was not enough to keep me from buying, and hope to get 24 Average mpg. We bought the LX with convienience package. Be sure to check KIA web site for special offers, they have many special offers.

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  Wow - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By lesan6 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I am impressed with this one! Gotta hand it to the Euros; they can make a car; Kias selling like hotcakes over there. My vehicle warms up fast in the winter, idles quietly, handles well on the road, has good radio,sound quality! If the Koreans are offering a warranty like this, it tells me that they have engineered one heck, "see, we told ya so!" of a car. Easy on the wallet! Maybe its a "Honda clone."

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  all that in an amanti? - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By jlthe man - September 2 - 2:00 am

  simply the best bang for the buck. looks like a mercedes/jaguar from the front, and lincoln/bently from the rear. definite eyecatcher.

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  Whoah! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By bperk - September 2 - 2:00 am

  This van is an amazing value for the money. The quality and reliability are great, and the 3.5 L engine gives far more pickup than anything in its class. Way to go Kia!

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  What a SUV should be - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By khoelscher - September 2 - 2:00 am

  After test driving the Sorento, I knew this would be the SUV for me. Exterior styling is right on. Interior was well laid out with good quality. Maybe too much hard plastic in some areas, but nothing that youd be embarrased showing off to friends and family. Driving impressions were great. Very solid feeling, plenty of power, smooth shifting, decent handling. Built on a truck frame adds to the solid, rugged feel, and makes it a much more capable off road vehicle, if you are so inclined. For the price, the Sorento really is in a class of its own.

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  Great Compact with world class feature - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Rene Benjamin - September 1 - 6:10 pm

  I looking for gas saving vehicle. I live in Puerto Rico, so gas is very expressive. This Kia Forte has everything that I looking in a vehicle, standard options like sat radio, leather,ipod interface,style and sporty lines and off course the 2.4 powerplant to feel the power. This is a very, very hit in it compact segment, a great competitor to corolla,civic,elantra,lancer and others.

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  Fabulous SUV - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By wmackay - August 30 - 4:54 am

  Love this SUV. After driving domestic vehicles for the past 10 years, Dodge Caravan, Pontiac Sunfire and some others including SUVs decided to go with a Kia. Previously had 2 Toyota Camrys 93 and 94 wagons which were great. Purchased a 2007 with 18,000 miles on it. Previous owner had absolutely NO problems with it. Ive owned it for 3 years now and it has about 45,000 miles on it. The only problem Ive had was one caliper having to be replaced. Its a dream to drive in the Canadian winters. Much better traction than some of the 4wd vehicles with the Michelin winter tires. Will NEVER go back to a domestic vehicle. Seems like these sites get all the negative on them but mine is +.

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  second time around - 2008 Kia Sedona
  By Allison Jones - August 29 - 12:40 pm

  This is my 2nd Sedona. I had a 2004 model and traded it due to high miles for a new cross-over. Big mistake! After the first week I wanted my Sedona back. I just bought my second Sedona Ex a 2008 model. I already love it! My kids love it. It has an even better look and the inside is even more comfortable. I love all the storage space it offers .I feel confident I will be driving it for many years to come. It keeps getting better and better.

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  Very Satisfied - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By TUG76 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 2001 Lexus GS300 for this car. This car is similar in many ways except two. Its less expensive than my Lexus and the warranty is better. 1500 miles on the Amanti already and I love it. Coworkers actually thought it was a new Lexus when I first drove it to work. Say hello to the new look of Kia. Im proud!