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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  Positive comments - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Ed - July 22 - 3:50 am

  Just a plain Jane in black that doesnt attract a lot of attention but can stay out of the way of oncoming traffic with power to spare. 5 Speed option is well spaced with plenty of 2nd gear torque for low end accelleration. Quality paint and trim make a Sunday wash a real treat since the effect is stellar. Easy to use power steering effort. Controls are well within reach and easy to use. Good visibility in all directions unobstructed by conservative head rests in the rear. Lots of dealer installed options. Consider the rubber cargo floor mat, it is a bargain. Superior door fit on all sides/rear.

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  My Third Kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Kidxpress - July 22 - 1:40 am

  I love this SUV! Its fun, its great looking and functional. From camping to picking up groceries ... I couldnt be happier. This is my third Kia; first I had the Sephia, the the Kia Sportage convertible (super fun) and now as my kids are bigger, the bigger Sorento is awesome. Has the same interior as my moms Lexus!

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  Best surprise in less expensive minivan! - 2010 Kia Sedona
  By rustynutz - July 21 - 9:00 am

  bought used with 33,000 from car rental, saved $$$$. Changed to mobile one oil, took a 2,000 mile trip from SA TX to Wich KS and back, plus sight seeing. Averaged 25mpg running mostly 80mph. Pros: Great seating, acceleration, handling, traction and braking. good visability, low road noise, lots of storage places and plenty of drink holders. Well placed controls, easy to access while driving. Good factory window tinting, dual A/C keeps everyone comfy. Getting around 18 mpg in town. Cons: Cant think of any yet, will post later if I find any.

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  5,000 Miles and Counting... - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By BigSKyMan - July 19 - 2:00 am

  At first glance, there seems to be a ton of SUVs available, but when it comes down to finding a true, comfortable, rugged, REAL 4x4, there are very few. If youre looking for one with all the features of the KIA Sorento, youd be hard pressed to find one for under $35,000, let alone for the $25,000 I got my 4x4 Sorento EX for. I drive a lot on and off road and I am completely pleased with my KIA thus far. The only features I wish I had were a DVD player for the kids and an in-dash Navigation system for me.

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  My next car will be a Kia - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Derrick - July 19 - 1:53 am

  I love it. It looks great in a parking lot and sexy on the road! My friends and family all want to drive it and wish their car was a kia. I love my spectra sx!

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  Too new to really tell - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Renee McClain - July 18 - 4:03 pm

  I just bought my Kia Spectra 5 and its too new to really tell if Im going to have any problems, but I do love the feel of the car, the style, the interior leg room and comfort. My only negative comment is the high whining at higher rpms. Once the car gets up there she really goes, but getting her there takes longer than Im used to. From what I can tell, thus far I love it. Its got a great warranty which tells me that Kia is confident in their car, you dont see that often!

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  Still love it after 2 years!! - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By julie46 - July 17 - 4:08 pm

  Tough, reliable, fun, great mileage, roomy. Have had people bang doors into us hard, no dents and a little rub and the mark came out. Ran over a piece of steel on I-5, thought itd rip its belly open. Nope just a little dent. Did great in the snow. Our tires have 33,000 miles and doing great!! My friend has a crv and their tires are wore out at 30,00. Fun to drive and cool looking..my friend bought one just like mine because i love it so. Keep up the good work Kia!1

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  1 week = My Life - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Bill - July 17 - 12:20 pm

  Had my 2006 Spectra for about 1 week and owned it for 2 days. Lot of fun and will be buying a 2nd one. The first was rear ended at a full stop by a full size Cadillac at about 25 mph. May be totaled but the cabin interior withstood the impact. No gas leakage. The seat belts worked perfectly and the headrest really helped my neck and head. I really believe that if I had been in many other cars, I may not have been as lucky. The Caddy sustained major front end damage (radiator leak, engine damage, front quarter, etc.) so the impact was major. For a car its size and price, it is well constructed with safety in mind.

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  Whoa!!! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Big John - July 17 - 6:50 am

  This is a keeper. Rides great, great gas mileage at 34 HW, low initial cost, low insurance premiums, sharp looking, great lines, best color combination (Ruby red, w/charcoal interior), turns heads everywhere I go. Nobody can believe this is an Optima. Ever seen the old styles? Those things were ghastly. This one looks nothing like them from any angle. I intended to buy another Rio, but when I spotted this Optima, it was case closed. MPG is about the same as the Rio, but the car has way more charm. Love it.

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  Awesomw - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Richard Clark - July 16 - 3:34 am

  Traded a 2013 Sorento 4 cylinder in for the 2016 Sorento V6 Ex premium pkg. Absolutely love the redesign. Extremely quiet, plenty of power, very comfortable. Also own a 2011 Optima EX with the prem/tech pkg and absolutely love it. No problems or complaints with either vehicle. Actually loved the 2013 Sorento but needed the V6 for towing. Plan to continue buying Kias.