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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  i like my kia - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Brenda - July 27 - 10:00 am

  i am very pleased with my car ..........

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  The Perfect Car - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By sportagelover2 - July 26 - 3:58 pm

  I have owned 2 KIAs and loved them both. My 2006 Sportage has almost 200k on it and still going strong. I would never buy another kind of car. My next one with be a 4 wheel drive now that I live in the mountains. Thank you KIA keep up the great work! PS Try working on the rear end safety :)

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  Kia rocks after 5 or 6 Toyotas - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Pontiacprince - July 26 - 10:46 am

  Much better quality than any of the Toyota Corollas Ive had over the years.Bought i for the many extras at a much lower price than Honda or Toyot was charging for similar vehicle.Gas Mileage is not the best..average 25-27 in city.Car seems heavy at times.Seats need another few inches extension for comfort.Very smooth and ideal on open highways.

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  3 years later - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Tennisfan - July 25 - 10:00 am

  3 years later and im still happy. The kia runs like day one, still perfect! Ive written two other reviews already, so this one is just a follow up to those. I recommend kia to everyone I know, they really make great SUVs.

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  Second Sorento 90k miles Strong - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Brian - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Great reliable vehicle. Its my second Sorento and third kia so far. I drive many miles to work so I first bought a Kia because of the low price, now I buy because of the quality. So far Ive had no mechanical failures, but my shocks and struts are getting weaker. Of the two Sorentos Ive owned, the first one did have the issue with head lights going before their time. This one has been OK so far though in regards to that problem. My first Sorento was bought used as well and was a 2004 EX v6 model. It was also very reliable but got totaled in an accident so I had to buy my 05 to replace it. By the way the car held up well in the crash and was still drivable afterward.

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  My Sportage is Awesome. - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Love My Sportage - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Have had my new Sportage for over two months and am so happy. It has plenty of power and drives like a well built vehicle. The six speed auto tranny is a work of art and I know it took Hyandai 4 years to develop it and has 62 less parts than the previous transmission. The Theta 2 engine is so quiet at idle that I think it isnt running at the lights! Sirius satellite radio is fantastic and now I cant live without it.

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  The SX is awesome - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Guy in TX - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Kia did it right again! I had an 05EX and loved it. The SX has everything my EX was missing. I have the SX FWD with everything except AWD and sunroof. I plan on enjoying at least 5-7 years with my SX before I trade it in for the next generation Sorento again! GO KIA! Keep up the good work!

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  A Great Value! - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By KG in Tennessee - July 24 - 9:56 pm

  I love this little SUV. Looks great, ride is smooth and the V6 has plenty of power. I originally was looking at a Sorrento and spotted the redesigned Sportage. No regrets!

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  My Amati - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Rich G. - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Just got my Amati and it is a car I love to drive. It rides very smooth, and is very, very quiet. Have no regrets getting this car.

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  The Best Yet! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By EFP - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Previously owned a 2003 Sedona EX for several months. Traded for the Sorento because our dog didnt like not having back seat windows that didnt open!! We liked the performance of the Sedona so much that we knew we wanted to stay with a KIA. Im so happy and pleased that we did!