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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  KIA AMANTI38671 - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By USER284316 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  It is definitely a luxury car without the luxury price tag. It handles beautifully and with all the air bags it has, I feel quite safe in it.

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  Corolla VS. Spectra - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By vallet1 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I won a 2003 GSX on E-bay for only $5000. The car had only 13,000 miles on it. I thought that I would try to "turn a fast profit" by selling it locally for $8000. Well, I spent $200 in ads and brought it to a local car lot and after 3 months I could not sell it for even $7000. I had a 2003 Toyota Corolla and needed to get rid of ANY car I could. I wound-up selling the Corolla for $13,000 and used the profit to pay-off the Kia. I now own (free and clear) and have been driving the Kia for 3 weeks. I find the Kia to be a much better car than the Toyota. It rides better, looks better and is more comfortable.

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  GREAT MINIVAN - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By familyof5 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This minivan is amazing. The options, features and factory warranty that you get for the price are what convinced us to buy this vehicle. We had a Pontiac Montana for three years before buying a Kia Sedona and are very happy with our purchase. I did a lot of research and test drove several makes of vans before we decided this was the one.

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  It covers alot - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By abaxter - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Its so nice that its easy to put on miles and not know it.

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  Almost a 10 - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Elfpeople - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Have this car for over a year and Im still in love with it. Its lived up to all my expectations and then some. Its easy to handle, great on gas and the maintenance is a dream come true. The only thing that I would change is the positioning of the second row passenger side seat. It should be closer to the door for easier access.

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  good vehical - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By gachase21 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  good car, would recomend buying it, like the quality and inside the most

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  Great SUV Value for Your Buck - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By KathyS - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I did a lot of research when I decided to buy an SUV. I wanted a moderate price, a good warranty, and a lot of luxury in a great looking car. Sounds like a lot to ask for, right? But the Sorento has exceeded my expectations so far. I get compliments on the looks of the car. The warranty is the best in the business. The luxurious interior and great features with the luxury package leave me wanting for nothing. Who needs navigation anyway with Mapquest?!?

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  MY KIA SORENTO EX - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By EFREN HERNANDEZ - April 3 - 2:00 am

  AT FIRST I SAID KIA? THEN I WENT ON A TEST DRIVE AND I LOVED IT. THE PRICE AND OPTIONS ON THE SUV ARE MORE THAN WHAT EXPECTED FROM THIS KOREAN SUV I LOOKED AT MANY SUV IN SAME PRICE RANGE AND GOT LESS OPTIONS,STRIP DOWN SUVS THAT WERE NOT FUN TO DRIVE WITH BASIC EQUIPMENT.

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  05 SPORTAGE LX-6CYL, - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By jr - April 2 - 6:33 pm

  The new Kia Sportage is very roomy on the inside, and there is lots of room for backseat passengers. When I first saw the Sportage, I couldnt believe it! The size of this new compact suv, it sure has nothing in common with previous models. The ride is carlike and smooth, quiet, and comfortable. The stereo and ac controls are easily in reach. The steering wheel tilts to adjust to the driver, and the seats have lumbar adjustments. When comparing the Sportage to other suvs, the standard safety equipment which includes 6 airbags, ABS, traction control and the awesome 100,000 miles warranty made the choice an easy one. I highly suggest you test drive this vehicle, youll be happy you did!!

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  26,000 miles - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By Tunabear1 - April 2 - 3:28 pm

  Still enjoying the ride. Dread eventually having to replace expensive 19" tires. When Im using the wipers, I wish they would automatically sweep once each time I step off the brakes (like in my former 01 Acura TL). Trunk door collects rainwater which drips into cargo compartment when opened. Badly obstructed side-view vision.