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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  2017 sorento - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By brad dun - May 30 - 3:46 pm

  its a comfortable car,its weakness,is gear shifting,the engine races and is slow to change when moving off at traffic lights,its city gas milage is bad,11-13 mpg in the city,it gets good on freeway when going over 50 mph,seats are too low so its hard to see,the front and back when parking or overtaking,lucky it has a reverse camera,it was good value in thanksgiving sales,it looks pretty good and is comfortable,if the transmission shifting and seats were higher it would be a great car,after driving many mountins,it cut out once in the middle of the road,another time it would not reverse,but I have not seen that problem appear,the v6 engine might be better,but it would have cost me $5000 extra,the 4 cylander is probably underpowered for the car,they should include a cover for the trunk,and remove the roof rails,they look ugly,road holding is good,i could not get cruise to work,for some reason,its a very good looking car and comfortable to drive,

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  long term info - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By ripleymanor - May 29 - 2:43 am

  bought new 2000. never had warranty repair. only recommended servicing. 32 m.p.g. a blast to drive. still looks like new. bought Sportage in 2001 same reliability. best you can get for the money.

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  Pay attention Honda! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Willoughbean - May 28 - 4:20 pm

  Just picked up a 2011 Sorento EX 2WD, 4cyl with Prem Pkg 1 and 3rd row for my wife. Bright silver with black leather--Very sharp !!. Im a Honda buyer for the last 4 cars and drive a 2010 Ridgeline now that I love, but Kia has put up a CR-v killer here in the Sorento. Better exterior looks, more interior room and better finish, all the hi tech goodies and options at a great price. Thanks for putting the factory in Georgia and a bumper to bumper warranty that backs up their fine work for 5/y ,100k and 10 years on powertrain.

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  DON"T BUY KIA - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By kmb08 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car used... in less than a year it has been in the shop 5 times for major repairs... at 52,000 miles (2,000 miles after the transfer warranty) the transmition went out.... since then I have been broken down/ unable to drive my car 3 times... in 2 weeks... DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!

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  Drove 6 SUVs and went back for the KIA - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Jeremy - May 26 - 11:26 pm

  In June my wife and I decided we were going to get a new suv as we were expecting our first child in July. We test drove the Sorento and really liked it but I am one to take my time and do some research. So in the next two weeks we also test drove an Escape, an Equinox, and I had previously driven a Trailblazer and Durango. Needless to say nothing out could touch the amount of features & refinement the Kia Sorento has & for an unbeatable price. We ended up buying a White EX model with the sport package and could not be more happy with it. Our daughter is now 11 days old and really loves going for rides in the Sorento & there is more than enough room. I was even able to put a 7 foot ladder in it.

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  Not bad but ages prematurely - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By soccerdad - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Bought new from dealer end of 03. This minivan has plenty of power and ample passenger room. However, cargo space is very limited. Ran flawlessly the first 1.5 years, then brakes began to squeal. We replaced the brakes on warranty twice in the first 50K miles, a bit undersized for weight of the vehicle, maybe? Also replaced wheel bearings, again on warranty. The Kia dealership where we bought and service the car is tops, but I wish we didnt have to spend so much time visiting with them on warranty issues. Now the engine sounds like its getting tired. Were Trading it in this weekend (probably not another Kia) before it gives up the ghost for good.

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  I love my Kia - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By Lea Ann - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I read so many reviews on here before I bought my Kia, so I wanted to return the favor. After much research and prayer, I bought my 08 Sorento with 7000 miles on it. Got a great price, but was apprehensive about the name. I have driven it daily for over a year and have had NO problems of any kind. I spoke at length with a Kia mechanic and he told me the 08s and later were much better designed and were on par with Toyota quality--without the price tag. I have found that to be true. Love the powerful V6 engine, sporty body style, and handling. I does ride a bit rough, as it is on an SUV frame, but I already knew it would so it doesnt bother me. Dont be afraid of the Kia name!

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  Screamin Hot Value - 2010 Kia Forte
  By BrettChandler - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Great features like Bluetooth, Sirius, nice leather, heated seats, and a wonderfully-tuned sport suspension. Motor pulls well, though a little weak below 2,500 rpm. I STILL havent been able to make the tires howl in a turn, let alone break traction. Styling is wonderful. The exterior has fantastic proportions. The interior is comfortable, and theres remarkable rear seat space for a compact sports coupe.

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  My First Car - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Daryl Joy - May 26 - 12:46 am

  Very nice exterior look, roomy interior, excellent warranty (10 years/100,000 miles). My husband loves the headroom, legroom, interior space (passenger and rear seat folds flat). Has an option for auto or manual driving. At a rear glance, people thinks its a Range Rover...front glance looks like a CRV. CONS: we only get 19 mpg highway (87 octane)

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  Fine Piece of Machinery - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Tom - May 24 - 9:46 am

  I took over ownership of the car at 17000 miles from my Dad. Currently it has over 92000 miles on it and runs like new.Fuel economy is great.I live in Chicago currently and consistently return over 30mpg in heavy traffic and lots of urban driving.Open road and under less stressful conditions at my previous residence I was consistently returning 36-41 depending on the situation.Kia has the stigma of being cheap but I assure this car is not cheap.It performs very well and I have spent nothing on maintenance except for the usual things like oil changes.The only thing special I do with it is that I use a product called engine restore after each oil change.Kia has done a great job.