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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  Bluetooth needs update - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Toms view - August 19 - 10:00 am

  The bluetooth is terrible--- every time you pass a new cell tower- it downloads your address book-- when you get in the car- the phone cannot be used until the address book gets downloaded. You also lose you phone calls when the cell tower transfers the bluetooth needs to be upgraded or replaced

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  Im not impressed - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Im not impressed - August 17 - 8:56 am

  My wife and I bought the van in May 05. With two kids, we figured a car wouldnt work so we bought the van. As for room, we should have stuck with a car. Not much more room offered. The seats are very uncomfortable. The gas mileage - absolutely horrible! But considering the price, safety and budget well have this van for quite a while. Gotta do it for the kids.

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  Love my Amanti - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Anne B - August 16 - 9:00 pm

  I traded a Cadillac in for my Amanti in 2004, and I have never regretted it. This Kia is the best car I have ever had; the mileage is great. It is very comfortable and handles like a dream. Also, I have gotten so many compliments on the looks of this car - It looks much more expensive than it is. Many people have asked me what kind of car I drive. It is such a pleasure to own this car.

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  Huge disappointment!!!!! - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By macgirl1 - August 16 - 7:11 pm

  We purchased this vehicle in Dec.12 and it has been the worst vehicle purchase we have ever made. The fuel economy on this vehicle has been awful. Weve been getting 14-17mpg with combined driving, no where near the promised 21-28mpg. Not only that the drive is sluggish, with little power. We have contacted Kia Motor America for support and been told there is nothing they can do even though our Sorento is not performing the way they promise it will. In my experience Kia does not stand behind their promises and I wouldnt recommend the Sorento and we will not buy another Kia. Our Sorento has been a huge letdown and Kias response to our problems has been an even bigger dissappointment.

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  Do Not Buy a Kia - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Piece of Junk - August 15 - 9:33 pm

  This van has been a complete piece of junk from day one. Gas mileage is horrible. Transmission went at 15,000 miles. Front Brakes need to be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. A/C system has been completely replaced and still does not cool well and is extremely noisy. The following also have been replaced: Alternator, Front Hub Bearings (twice), front struts, front stabilizer links, rear heater lines, accelerator cable and battery. Do not buy this van unless you like visiting the service department very often. Worst automobile purchase I have ever made. A PIECE OF JUNK!!!

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  In Love with the Soul - 2010 Kia Soul
  By smm7 - August 15 - 3:40 pm

  I cant say enough good things about this car! By far the best Ive ever owned. Ive always preferred small cars, but this is the best because its roomy on the inside, which is important since I have 2 kids to drive around. Getting a car seat in and out is no problem, it sips gas, I can commute all over town and save way more $$ than I did with my suv! I have previously owned an Optima, and then a Rio, both were good cars, but this one is the best, and I would buy another!

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  Big Mistake - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Dee Dee - August 15 - 4:20 am

  I traded in a 4Runner for the Kia Sorento back in June. The 4Runner was just too big for me. I thought that this would be a good compromise. During the test drive I was taken on smooth highway roads. As soon as I got onto my neighborhood roads, WOW, the loudest road noise I have ever had in a car. I also apparently have the known defect of the right front strut. Sounds like thunder going over even the smallest bumps. Turning up the radio doesnt help at all. The red lights under the door handles are very off putting. I wish I was told about them before I bought the car. Test drive it at night! Not very pleasant interior lighting. The radio and navigation get stuck often.

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  Never Again - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By cmazgo - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Looks are deceiving. I thought I was purchasing a quality vehicle. What I got was a van-wanna-be. After only 5 months and 12,000 miles the front bumper paint was peeling in a number of places. Kias response--everyday road debris caused it, so its not covered under the warranty. I dont drive anywhere that a million other people drive, but because of "everyday road debris" its not covered.I will mention that Ottawa Kia did re-paint the bumper at their expense which they did have to. And know Im starting to have problems with the driver seat armrest not coming down! And gas mileage---IT STINKS! Highway driving gets me a whopping 16 MPG.

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  His & Hers Sorentos - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Susan & Will - August 15 - 2:00 am

  My husband and I both bought 2003 Sorentos in February, 2003. Weve owned an Expedition, Jimmy, several Blazers, and a Grand Cherokee Laredo. We both agree by far that the Sorento is the best value for the money. It is comfortable, peppy, handles well and is solid. Just a fun vehicle to drive. I thought before test driving that it would feel cheap and plastic like...NOT! My husband calls it a Lexus knockoff. I plan to drive mine until the wheels fall off! Enjoy!

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  Not very impressed - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By momof2 - August 15 - 12:26 am

  I bought the car used, was told that it is in great condition, well not a week later we were in the shop for a noise that I cant even explain, was told by KIA mechanic that it is the ABS doing a self check, the sound has never gone away, then received a recall for a crank shaft bolt the had to have the rear door hinge replaced and the light bulbs are constantly burning out, and now the Check engine light keeps coming on for a transmission code p0700, and I was told there is nothing wrong with the car. I will never buy another KIA again, the people that work there are rude and they need to make a better vehicle.