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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  KIA Optima needs improvement on transmissions - 2009 Kia Optima
  By csaylors - January 25 - 6:43 am

  I have owned my 2009 KIA Optima for three years now and had to replace the transmission once already and it is in the shop again (not even a year later) with the same problem. I dont know if this is a problem everyone has or if I bought a lemon. The built in Bluetooth had some problems as well. I just had to quit using it. The headrest is not comfortable at all. But it handles well and it is fun to drive. It gets good gas mileage and thats what we needed at the time.

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  Finer than the finest - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By rich - January 24 - 11:16 pm

  Ive been in Cadillacs, Lincolns, Toyota (Lexus), and Hondas many times before, but Ive yet to come across a better car than the Kia Amanti. The interior is true luxury & the exterior styling turn heads everyday we drive our car. My Amanti out the door was less than $18,000 and we are amazed at the level of refinement in this car. Interior design and quality are at the Mercedes, VW, and Jaguar levels & are far above most domestic and foreign makes. The 3.5 liter engine is powerful, yet a little thirsty, & performs with the 5 speed auto transmission well. The trunk is huge as is passenger room and storage. Handing on the road is controlled & plush. One drive & youll buy the Amanti.

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  I like it. - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By Alb89 - January 24 - 10:26 pm

  I bought this car for 500 dollars and thought it would just be my A to B car, but it has actually taken me further! Very reliable, A/C and heat works, but it does make the driving slow down when turned on. Not sure why but it isnt that big of a deal. Overall good car. Only thing needed changed was spark plugs.

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  Save money...and enjoy it! - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By scottyace - January 24 - 3:10 pm

  I have owned a Honda Odyssey and a Town & Country, and this is a much better value, and is as good as the Honda and a whole lot better than the Chrysler for overall performance and comfort. The ride is terrific, and the new body gives more room than in the past. We traded our overpriced (way, way overpriced) Town and Country for this, and we are thrilled. It compares very favorably to the Odyssey (we owned one of those before the T & C), but with more options...fully loaded for around $30,000. Drive the Toyota, the Honda, even the Chrysler, but stop at Kia last...compare apples to apples, and you wont be sorry.

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  How many recalls and repairs - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By susan - January 24 - 9:14 am

  Recalled for braking issue within year of purchase. Last repair took two trips to the dealership and cost $250 to replace the turn signal gear box (not covered by warranty). Seat fabric is stains easily, and is wearing excessively on edges. Latches to fold down seats are hard to operate. Looking to trade and new car will not be a KIA. Seats cleaned by professional car detail shop. The fabric is not holding up as it should. We have no children that ride in the car, so the seats should be holding up better. No recalls this last year.

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  Im in love - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Pebblz - January 23 - 10:00 am

  This car is exceptional for the price paid and the warranty that goes with it.

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  Happy driving - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Jeannettes car - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Very happy with this car--3000 miles so far-Good ride-Good quality and workmanship. need auto door locks when put in gear. compass would be helpfull.This was purchased for my wife and she says it is the best car she has ever driven. We are in our 70s so we have had a lot of cars in our life time. I have been in the auto service trade for many years and think this will be a very fine auto for some time to come,

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  Great SUV. I am impressed - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By JNP - January 23 - 10:00 am

  I am mechanical engineering professor, and was looking for a SUV. Saw all, including US made, Germans, Swedish, French, Japanese, etc. Then saw the Kia Sorento and thought: "Well, another good looking car, but with nothing inside". Asked for a test-drive and was impressed. Then, took the test car for a trip off-road and was convinced. I have one Sorento for 9 months now. Great fun to drive, very good quality, very reliable, fairly economic (if you use a selected engine oil it gets real economical: I use BP Visco 7000 (0W40)). I am just curious about maintenance costs: until now I didnt had any problem with it.

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  We LOVE IT First 1200 Miles a Breeze - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Zk3 - January 23 - 10:00 am

  We were in the market for a SUV,and have owned sports cars in the past.This Sorento gets it !! I test Drove all the competitors and KIA SORENTO Won the challange HANDS DOWN! The Body Lines are the Best of all comparable Models.We Bought the 04 EX added the Leather Seats,Bug-Shield,Roof- Spoiler,Step-Bars,Brush Gaurd,Mud Flaps,Vent Gaurds,Front Window Tinting,Allezza Tail Lights,Removalble Dog Barrier,etc... And Drove it HOME under $27,500. Thats with all extra undercoating,paint sealer,leather gaurd...WOW plus 5 year/60,000 Everything (Roadside Included) and 10 year/100,000 Powertrain. My Advice is "Check Them Out"

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  old kia owner and suv lover - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By huppwc - January 23 - 10:00 am

  have owned many suvs, looked at several again before buying this one. was amazed at the price and warranty for all the options and the great confor and looks.