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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  Pilots Analogy - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Katysaurus - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Good responce in handling. Solid, well built construction. Instrument panel attractive and arranged well for drivers visability. Am really pleased with my new Kia.

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  Satisfied so far - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Joe Cal - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive only owned this suv a few months, but Im very pleased so far. I think it rides very nice, more like a carlike ride and handles nice. I also like the fact that it has a full frame, not a unibody like most suvs in this class or in a more expensive class for the matter. I think the quality is comparable to GM, and maybe better in some areas. I was somewhat hesistant to buy a Kia at first, but for the price I couldnt resist and am glad I did so far.

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  I Love My Kia Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By White Hott Sorento - October 16 - 10:00 am

  The Sorento has style class and luxury at a reasonable price us working class people can afford. The service at the dealer ship is great! The Sorento has a lot of great features on its Lx model and you feel good cruzin down the road! Ilove my Sorento! Its the second Kia I have owned!

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  Kias arent supposed to be this good. - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By sgtstress - October 16 - 10:00 am

  When originally shopping for a SUV, my wife and I were looking at Tahoes, Expeditions and the like.A Toyota Highlander at the least. We test drove a Sorento just because my wife thought it was "cute". Well, after testing everything else out there, I was floored after driving the Sorento. This was too good to be true. We have been on vacation to another state since we bought our Kia. I still cant believe how good this thing is. Smartest decision of my life(except for marrying my wife). Kia. Who would have thought?

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  not satisfied with the 4x4 performance! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By fitz - October 16 - 8:43 am

  We bought it as an extra vehicle for short trips (also have a suburban we love). It is fun to drive. Easy to park. Mine is an automatic. If you really get on the throttle the motor is sufficient but definitely not high performance. I have Michelin Harmony tires. It does a bit better than a 2wd on snow and ice. Forget it off road. Its definitely not a true 4x4. Maybe mine has a mechanical problem??? The ds front and rear slip. The other side seldom spins. If I cant get this resolved Im going to try a Toyota truck. I need something that will go in all road, terrain and weather conditions.

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  Nothing but problems - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By msbolshevik - October 16 - 2:34 am

  I bought my 03 Spectra new from a dealer, and I have driven it for 9 years. When I drove off the lot, IT DIED at the 1st intersection. They had to replace the entire computer system because it was faulty. Luckily, that was covered under warranty, but everything that followed was not. The entire engine seized up for no reason about 3 months later. I had to replace the transmission within the first couple years (and then a second time about 3 more years down the road). There have been several other smaller issues, but these are the majors. I dont know why I kept it so long. I guess the last 3 years it was somewhat more dependable (because I had replaced everything inside)!

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  Nice for the price - 2009 Kia Sorento
  By hinkyjinky - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle is not a luxury SUV its utility. the gf traded hers in after 7 months for a tahoe ls 2007 because she wants bigger. shame. i like the drive even though it is bumpy and stiff but that is due to its design (its not a caddy or Lincoln) i get great gas mileage almost 425 to a full tank. it has not failed me yet! solid build. love the 4wd so far but have not pushed it except for our big winter storm this past year and it worked flawlessly for me drive 50 miles a day in snow and ice. dealership has been GREAT! cant say it enough! thank you for the deal and serivce Kia of Turnersville nj!!! :)

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  Great Little Truck - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By SMB - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck because of Nebraska Winters, its 4WD is what i needed to get through. Ive NEVER had an issue with this truck. Only thing ive done is replace the battery and a blinker bulb! With reg oil changes ive had zero engine trouble. I bought it with 47,000 miles on it and am now at over 124,000 miles. It still runs like the day i bought it! I would recommend a Kia Sorento to anyone who is looking for a great 4WD. On highway travel i can get close to 27 MPG.

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  Great car for the price - 2004 Kia Optima
  By a good one - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car new six years ago. The only thing Ive had to replace are the tires and the battery. I think this car is an excellent value. Just had the 60,000 mile service. Its running great and I plan to keep it until the warranty expires in 37,000 miles.

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  Wanted a Wagon - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Greg - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Overall i like the car its got good power and a lot of features for the money. It has a quit cabin and handles bumps in the road like a more expensive car. I have been on a few camping trips with this car and it was a joy to drive.