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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  Cant Stop Driving It! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By New Kia Owner - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Honestly when pricing the Kia I really dindt expect too much. But this car not only has everything (ex) but it drives just as good as SUVs costing 10- 20 thousand dollars more. I actually got the new 2005 EX 2 wheel drive and got it for much cheaper than what most are even paying. I walked out after tax an licencse for 21,000. The 05s have the new Shiftronic automatic which provides hours of fun for me. The feautures are endless, my parents have been checking them out for some time and actually like it more than their Mercedes ML 500. The gas mileage is also much better with the new automatic system, I am getting 18 city and 23 hwy right now in mine. Thats

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  Proud Kia Owner - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Max Value - June 25 - 10:00 am

  If your looking at SUVs check this ride out. I was nervous about the name, but after driving the 2005 Kia EX it was a done deal. They give you everything as far as options go. It feels and drives like a luxury SUV, very similar to the Lexus and Acura SUV models in appearence and performance. The V6 feels great. The fuel really isnt that bad considering the 5 star frame weight and the size of the vehicle, much bigger than you would think. Plus the shiftronic is so fun to drive, you get the 5 speed automatic with the 05 models, very nice, and better milage too. I got the new aqua blue, really looks great, it catches a lot of eyes. I traded my 4runner for it and wish I would have earlier!

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  2012 AWD Kia Sorento 4 Cyl - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By dwendt - June 21 - 8:30 pm

  Just got my 2012 AWD Kia Sorento LX with GDI engine and love it. I purchased it at Towne Kia, in Denville, NJ, based on a recommendation of a fellow Kia owner. The final purchase price with tax, title taxs etc. was still less than the MSRP of the car so I was very happy. The car is everything I expected andd more, nice pickup, great turning. I looking forwaard to my first long drive.

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  2011 Kia Sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Brooke Creekmore - June 21 - 12:30 pm

  Too new to rate reliability. purchased vehicle 01/18/10 so far its been great. I think the interior is nice, love having the Sirrus radio,bluetooth. I think its a good looking vehicle. The ride is pretty smooth, but i agree with other poster could have put better tires.

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  good ride - 2011 Kia Forte
  By cdog77 - June 19 - 3:17 pm

  Had it for 8 months now and made 6 road trips and love the comfort and mileage. Would definitely suggest it to anyone.

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  Love it but...... - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By A. Henson - June 19 - 4:53 am

  Overall, I love the Sorento; however, at <15000 miles, the rotors had to be replaced and now at <28000 miles theyre having to be replaced again. (Not my braking habits! Ive been driving for almost 30 years and never had a problem with brakes!) Also, Ive noticed the hesitation in speed/acceleration during driving. Sometimes its slow to respond in a stop/go situation (slowing to a near stop then accelerating again)...kind of scary. Ive been told its because the vehicle/computer is adjusting to my manor of driving.(? At any rate, still happy with the vehicle overall.

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  Better Than Youd Think - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Vince Lucero - June 18 - 1:13 pm

  Traded my car in for this car. Very Happy that I did it. Great on gas, excellent handling. Cant beat the price and warranty for this type of car. All I have to say is that before you go and buy a Honda, Toyota look into this. I believe youll be satisfied.

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  New Kia Owner - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By tjb3302 - June 18 - 5:50 am

  Overall a great vehicle, on the highway or running around town. Features make carrying cargo a snap, and sufficient room with or without the back seats folded for anything we are transporting. Cargo cover works great to hide things under as if we had a nice truck with a trunk.

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  Great - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Angela Martin - June 16 - 10:00 am

  I have had a great experience with it

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  Great vehicle, better then my Honda - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By The Tanner Family - June 15 - 4:40 pm

  I love this vehicle. It has the best crash rating out of all of the minivans. I love how it handles. The warranty is by far the best. It comes with all of the bells and whistles as the other minivans, But a little cheaper. Gas mileage is great. I have 5 kids, so the ease of getting in and out is amazing. I had a Honda for many years, and I like this vehicle better. I love Kia.