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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  2011 Optima SX Turbo - 2011 Kia Optima
  By gt88b - June 8 - 4:57 am

  Had it for a month & love it. Handles surprisingly well for a front driver. A little slow off the line (unless you power brake it) but after 10 ft it is really quick. Trans drops down a gear or two very easily. 50 to 70 pass happens right now. Very smooth ride even with the stiffer suspension. Every one who drives it ends up going 80+ thinking they are going 60.

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  Great purchase - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Jose - June 7 - 12:23 am

  I bought my Sorento 2 months ago after long research about the vehicle. I gave it a try because the looks of the car and the engine. When I went to the dealer and tested it, I got impressed and bought two of them, the other for my wife. What I like the most is that it has a smooth ride and the engine is very powerful for the Texas highways. It handles well on bumpy roads. My wife almost crashed hers, but the car handled very well and nothing happened. The drawback of the car is the sound system. The front speakers have an average power but the rear ones are very weak. The car has plenty of storage spaces, cup holders and lighting consoles which are nice features.

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  AWSOME - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By SherryBaby - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Its a wonderful car. I have not one complaint what so ever. I owned the Kia Shepia prior to my Spectraand im a Kia gal all tha way.

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  Jaguabenz Car - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Roger - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for a unique, stylish car with a great drive and ride. The Amanti accomplomplishes all of this plus much more. Most people initially think it might be a Jaguar with a Mercedes Benz flair. Toss in a little bit of Lincoln Town car and you end up with one fashionable vehicle.

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  More for your buck - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By jgal - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased my Kia, so I am hoping it will stay as reliable and great as it seems. I researched reviews from various sources and all said Kia has become a good car and you can get more for your money. I dont think their low prices will last if these great reviews keep up. I think this van fully loaded would cost at least 10K more if it was a Toyota or Honda, etc. yet it provides the same comfort, reliability, and options.

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  Incredible Buy - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Chinchorro7500 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Im delighted to rate this vehicle so highly. I started out just looking for a minivan with high saftey ratings for the family, but I am very pleased with the value and the extras I received with my purchase of the Kia Sedona. I really didnt expect much in terms of the interior, and it could - perhaps - be a bit more stylish, but it is so comfortable! Ive sat in all of the seats and cant believe how much more comfortable the Sedona is than my previous minivan (a Plymouth Voyager). The 10 yr powertrain, 5 year bumper-to- bumber, 5 year maintainence, and 5 year road side service cant be beat.

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  Great deal - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By HappyNewKiaOwner - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Just picked up my new Kia Sedona EX yesterday. We love it. We got ABS, Leather and Homelink for 21,500 + tax. Has many nice features. Rides well, easily power enough for minivan drivers. Unlike several other comments I read, we got 2 keyless remotes w/o even asking. Leather is sufficient, not like a Cadillac but very nice. We also got two-tone paint which makes the car look much more expensive. Not quite as roomy as some vans you can find, but for us (and for the $8,000 in savings) its fine. I would definitely recommend this vehicle. Hopefully we wont have to use the great warranty.

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  Very Satisfied - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By Rich S. - May 29 - 3:36 pm

  I just purchased the 3.8L V6 4 wheel drive on 12/13/2008. I am very glad I made this purchase. I did look at numerous vehicles in this and found the Borrego had more room, more options at a lower overall cost, and had a sharper look to it. I find the ride to be great-much like a car and you sit high like a truck. All controls are easy to find and use. I have the luxury package and rear seat entertainment package for the kids. I recommend this set up and the cost was not bad. Well designed and very comfortable. Third row seating has plenty of foot room and space with comfortable seats. A real pleasure to drive.

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  Spectra Lover - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By NCZ9300 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my Spectra... Best car Ive owned!

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  The best for the money - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By dave z - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I did extensive research and for the money found the kia sedona to be an exceptional value. Ours came with a sun roof, flat screen t.v. and dvd and a myriad of storage spaces, rear a/c and heat and of course the best warranty on the market. Comparable cars such as the freestar, sienna and oddysey were thousands and thousands higher. I was a big fan of the toyota sienna but two additional years of bumper to bumper coverage and 3 additional years of powertrain sold me. So far I have been quite pleased. I will keep my fingers crossed.