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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  Great SUV for price - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Alex - September 28 - 9:53 am

  I purchased my SUV new in Sept. 06 as I needed a reliable car for commuting to work. I have put on over 91000 miles on it and it is still drives like new. I have replaced the fluids per factory schedule and new set of tires at 60000 miles. The only minor problems are the break light bulbs had to be replaced each year and both power side mirrors stopped working recently. Power train is still going strong along with everything else. I strongly recommend this care and would by another one.

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  Beware of around town driving - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By dmcfee - September 28 - 6:07 am

  We purchased our Kia Sorento new about 6 months ago. Around town I have never gotten over 16 mpg. My lowest has been 13.4 mpg. On the highway i get 31 mpg. I took it back to the dealer and was told I had to to run few more tanks of gas then it would get better. Four more tanks and it remained about 14 mpg. I went back and the head maintenance man said I only averaged 18 mph in the city and that is why it was so low. I told him I did not expect the 22 mpg we were told it would get but had no idea it would be 7 mpg under advertised mpg. The salesman knew all my driving was around town and acted very surprised when I told him the problem. Love the car, but the gas mileage is unacceptable.

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  kia sedona - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By sandi cyrus - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I love this van

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  give it a little time - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By new car buyer 2003 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  we found the kia to be very nice compared to some we test drove. also the dealer has jumped to our every request with no hassle. the only design flaw is a small noise comming from engine area. i even test drove twoo others and the same noise was there. other than that the van is great. i would buy an

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  Get the 5-speed - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Honda Guy - September 23 - 7:56 pm

  Weve had our Kia Sport, 5 speed manual, with sunroof for about a week. I also have a Civic and Cube so I qualified for the $1,000 "competitive bonus". I paid $16,700 for this car and have to say so far it looks like its a steal. The transmission is high-revving and take off is quick. Handling in traffic is a breeze, and it looks very cool. We got it in white, due to limited availability of manual transmissions. My wife and I are 47 and we both love driving this. It reminds me of my 1986 Honda CRX Si, but with a back seat. If you want something cheap and lots of fun, this is the car. Our car came with blue tooth and a year of Sat Radio how did I ever live without those? Stereo!

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  FAVORITE - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By budgie - September 22 - 10:00 am

  BEST VEHICLE OF THIS TYPE I HAVE EVER OWNED. ME, MY WIFE AND EVEN MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER LOVE TO DRIVE IT. MANY COMMENTS 0N THE "BENZ-JAG" LOOKS.

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  Transmission Problems Already? - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Kia - Still Junk? - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I was excited to have radio controls on the steering wheel, except that I dont use them b/c its too difficult to reach & work the volume control - its on the inside of the wheel. Kia used the Seek function instead of moving you through your pre-selected stations. You may have to go thru multiple stations before you get to one you want. Its easier to reach over and change the stations on the dash! Finally, my Sorento has been towed to the dealership with only 1900 miles on it for transmission problems. Diagnosis: "their equipment wasnt working and the mechanic had gone to lunch for the next hour." Hum...Is this the start of a bad relationship?

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  Most people believe they have a soul...but I have a SOUL! - 2011 Kia Soul
  By mazda5forme - September 21 - 10:54 pm

  And I truely love my Soul! Mine is a 2013 KIA Soul Exclaim..which is the top of th line Soul, loaded up with an unbeliveable (for this price range) amount of standard equipment not often found on this price range. All of this includes terrific quality...solid construction and stand out looks. The 10 year 100,000 mile warranty is just Icing on the cake! And the Soul has more than that going for it. Youll note that love it or hate it...people notice te Soul...and even check it out when they see one. Unlike the usual cars filling the mall parking lot...the Toyota/Honda/Prius/Nissan clones...the Soul actually stands out! And its fun to drive, handles well, has a KILLER stereo system too.

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  The Red Baron - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Jeff Hunter - September 21 - 3:07 am

  Great small car

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  Whoa! - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Greg S. - September 21 - 2:26 am

  I have previously owned a Kia Spectra. It was nice, but 2 years later, I went back to the dealership, and fell in love with the Optima. Totally surprised with the power for a four cylinder! I can hold up the parking brake, and burn out (I know, not the smartest thing to do but it does it well)! I have every option available, except for the V6, but I dont need the V6 the 4 cyl is plenty. I feel like I am driving a Lexus or Mercedes. The ride is unmatched.