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 thought it was a good idea at the time - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By MonkeyMan - September 13 - 8:30 am

  Ive had the Sorento for a year and a half now. It was in the shop for a total of 35 days and needs to go back again. Most of the time in the shop I think was due to dealer incompetence, although the transmission problem never was resolved. The vehicle shutters/buffers ALWAYS when cruising between 45-50mph. The vehicle also shimmys when applying the brakes. Also all the black plastic parts on the truck are now so faded they are almost white.

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  Poor Choice - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By wjozz5 - September 12 - 7:21 pm

  The Sorentos initial appeal, styling, interior room and optional third row, made it a reasonable initial choice. Now, at 700 miles, the Sorento is back in the dealership for a brake recall, faulty vent gate, navigation/stereo replacement and traction control inspection. The traction control continues to make noise after being engaged. The manufacturers tire choice has to be the worst in the industry. Overall this new car has done little to inspire confidence that it is a 100,000 mile car. We are going to sell it before we are too disappointed to hide it.

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  In Your Favor - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By SilvrSorento - September 11 - 10:00 am

  We have had our vehicle since July of this year which really is only a short time, but so far without a doubt, it has shown me everything I wanted and expected in a mid-sized SUV in its price range. I have to agree with the Editors and other Consumer ratings! I find it an excellent buy and a "hard to beat" warranty. Im anxiously awaiting winter and the bad weather to see how we will fair....a good snow this year will be a good test for the 4x4. With a positive answer this winter, I would say "everything is in favor of a Winner"

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  loving my sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By norma - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I did several months of researching SUVs before my purchase and found the Sorento to be the best SUV for my money. It has features that even my Chrysler luxury car didnt have! Its fun to drive and very comfortable. With the warranty Kia offers Im hoping that Ill drive it untils its paid for which would certainly be a change for me!

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  Run away as fast as you can - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By 1soccermama - September 10 - 11:45 am

  Worse vehicle Ive evered owned. After being stranded three times and towed to the dealer who couldnt find the issue while it was under warrenty, I finally took it to a local repair shop who found the 1K plus issue that I had to pay out of pocket. Called Kia and was basically told oh well. Van felt cheap and made me question its safety on a daily basis. It was a true lemon and after spending about 3K in less than a year, I was done. Bought myself a Dodge and Im in love!

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  Transmission went out at 60,400 miles! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Tim - September 9 - 10:32 pm

  Weve have had this car since new, and didnt have any issues until it was out of manufacturers warranty. While driving approximately 55mph the vehicle went into "limp mode" and told us to "pull over and safely exit the vehicle" (this was displayed on the dash). If I tried to put it in drive it would make a very hard jump, and would not accelerate. Upon contacting Kia I was told that there was no road side assistance because our car was out of warranty. So we loaded the vehicle up on my parents flat bed and hauled it to the dealership it was purchased from in Ocala, Fl (we were in Jax, Fl and insurance wouldnt transport it that far). Thank God for the extended warranty! Because after sitting in the dealership for over two weeks while they were "waiting to hear back from Korea, because weve never seen this problem" the car needed a new transmission and new electric motor. If we wouldnt have had the extended warranty I would have set the damn thing on fire because I cant imagine what the cost of that was (our repair bill did not give a price). On top of the transmission and electronic motor going out, the buttons to change the station on the steering wheel do not work properly, and the steering wheel itself is peeling apart. Front air damn fell off going down the road. According to Kia it was because my wife couldnt park, but I think it was never put on properly. Steering wheel makes a clicking noise if you barely turn it while the vehicle is stopped. Im sure it will break while were on the highway. Fit and finish are decent but the car does not live up to its price tag or its estimated fuel economy. Our warranty goes out at 100k so at that time well trade it in for $1,500 and put that towards a Honda.

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  Nice car, give Kia a chance! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Steve - September 9 - 12:00 pm

  Picked up my LX automatic the very last weekend of Cash for Clunkers, which combined with the $3000 rebate made the car very affordable. Great list of standard equipment, good exterior and interior design, and a killer warranty made this an easy purchase. Ive averaged 25 mpg in mixed city driving and just averaged 31 on a 300 mile road trip. Considering that I traded a 13 mpg SUV, Im loving the savings on gas.

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  Kia Optima ALi - 2005 Kia Optima
  By ASyed - September 9 - 8:13 am

  I bought this car 3 years ago and i havent had any problems. I havent really been maintaining this car as should but it doesnt bother me at all. very reliable. this car is definitely undervalued. should compete with Honda or Camry.

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  Rides like a sedan - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Marion - September 8 - 11:00 pm

  I bought this car used and have been happy with it. It has the smoothest ride of a SUV I have ever experienced. The backseat is very roomy for a smaller SUV. The main annoyance I have with it is that it burns through lights like crazy. I am replacing bulbs about every 2 months. I have been pulled over for it also. It is hard to keep up with replacing the bulbs. Check your lights for proper working order on a daily basis.

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  Kia Sedona at 13,000 Miles - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By diskjokk - September 8 - 7:16 pm

  I never dreamed I would end up driving a minivan but as a single father of 3, there was no better choice of vehicle for me right now. So I bought a 2005 Kia Sedona LX. I just love this van! Everything from the exterior to the interior of this van was put together with care and understanding of a family on a budget. The van looks and rides good and I am pretty happy with the purchase. My only gripe about this vehicle is that its consumption of gas is HUGE! I can get about 22mpg on the highway. When on the road, there is minimal road noise and good visibility. Controls in the cabin are laid out in a logical and thoughtful manner. Factory CD/radio system isnt bad.