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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  04 5 speed LX Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By SAABRento - September 16 - 9:00 am

  Great SUV. The SE (RARE) 5 speed LX model has been nothing but a pleasure. The 3.5 Hyundai V-6 is powerful and has plenty of torque. The SUV is very quiet and has a solid ride. The controls are easy to find and the radio has the power of an aftermarket. The brushed ally interior is a $200 option and is stock on my model along with nerfbars and fog lights. The model I have has a limited slip differential rearend that in 4x4 is nothing but unstoppable.

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  The Love for Kia begins... - 2011 Kia Forte
  By scrutinizer2 - September 16 - 5:35 am

  I have been researching this and many other vehicles for many years. This car in particular has always been at the top of my list of FWD sedans and hatchbacks. FINALLY GOT IT! The SX Forte has an enormous amount of power for a four cylinder, best in class handling, and to my surprise, it also rides very comfortably. Go Kia for Great Value, Best Warranty, and Good Steering Feel! The EPA estimated 32mpg on highway. But I wanted to test the best that it could do. After driving in the MOST ECO-FRIENDLY manner, the car went 39mpg on the highway!

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  Kia is Korean for "Bad Brakes" - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By James - September 15 - 2:13 pm

  I traded a 2004 Sedona van because of repeated brake issues (2 sets of rotors and 4 brake jobs in 64,000 miles) and was assured the brake problems had been fixed. My Sorrento has 37,000 miles and is on its second set of replacement rotors. The brake warrenty is only 12,000 miles; guess why. Also, the scheduled maintenance that is required in order to keep the warrenty intact is very expensive ($524.00 for the 30,000 mile service). Gas milage is poor for the size of the car. The car depreciates rapidly (mine is only worth $10,400 on a trade-in according to Kelly Blue Book).

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  Great Buy - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Computer Man - September 15 - 1:03 pm

  This is a great looking car and a great buy. I bought mine for $21,500. It is an EX with cloth. Great pickup and a pretty good ride. Has the look of a Lexus 330 but for $12-14K less. Ride is about 85% of a 330. But what do you expect for less money.

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  Like it! - 2003 Kia Optima
  By sharron99 - September 15 - 2:00 am

  The car is a great value. I have the V- 6 and it rides great. I have had only one problem with the sunroof motor that was repaired by dealer, no charge to me. Car has excellent warranty! 5 year 60,000 bumper to bumper! 10 years - 100,00 powertrain.Most options are standard and I also got the leather package. The interior set up and controls look nice and function well. The styling is great, and several people thought I was driving a Mercedes because of the new front grill European style. A car with all the options I wanted for just slightly over $20,000! Time will tell, I hope the vehicle lasts. So far, so good!

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  Using the Warranty a Lot!! - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Tired of the hassle - September 15 - 2:00 am

  We bought this van when due with our second child. We have had a lot of challenges with it so far, and are currently working on getting out of it. Ive used the roadside assistance 3 times for a dead battery and had it in for service to replace the cam seals. The darned thing was leaking oil at 5000 miles! The car has not started on 3 separate occasions, which stinks when youre pregnant and relying on it! I would not buy one again, nor would I recommend it to friends. When it runs its a nice enough van. A bit loud, but basically a nice, albeit unreliable van.

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  not bad, for the price - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By angrysmurf - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car since August of 2002 and so far, I havent had any major problems. The only problem I did have with the car is due to a mistake I strongly suspect the dealership made last time I had it serviced. Overall, though, its been reliable and efficient. The interior is a little cheap, but this is an economy car, so thats to be expected. The outside is sharp. And the car is quite reliable.

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  Kia lover - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Tony - September 14 - 11:33 pm

  Fun to drive, great gas mileage getting 38 on the highway. lowered my insurance by almost half. good car for first time buyer.

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  KIA Amanti "GOOD CAR" - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By BOB M - September 13 - 5:40 am

  The KIA Amanti is a well built car. The ride is very smooth and quite. Handling and visibility is excellent. Interior is roomy and comfortable. Sound system is superior (Infinity} with cassette and 6 cd changer. It is equipped with many options found in cars costing much more. Started out to buy a Chrysler 300 and test drove the KIA Amanti and was very impressed with it.

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  Wow, tried the rest now try the best - 2010 Kia Forte
  By charlescharles - September 12 - 6:07 pm

  I work for a valet company, it is safe to say that i have had the privilege to drive all the cars in this segment and then some. Subtle design with a hint of class that does ot belong in this segment. Not one of its competitors feel this good and i can honestly say that the only car that stands out above it is the focus. Too me the elantra has a weird exterior. The corolla is extremely outdated and feels cheap, the civic is nice but if you are like me and lean on the bigger than average then your leg will stick into the handbrake and you will feel awkward driving it. For the price nothing comes close, hopefully depreciation is not too bad and in my opinion the only deterrent. 87/100