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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  HAD NO IDEA WHAT A KIA SORENTO WAS... - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By TJ6363 - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP LOOKING FOR A RODEO, WHEN I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SORENTO. FOR THE SIZE, STYLE AND PRICE IT IS A GREAT DEAL. I LOVE MY NEW VEHICLE, NOW ALL I NEED TO DO IS KEEP MY HUBBY OUT OF IT. BIG DIFFERENCE FROM MY LITTLE CORROLLA.

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  An Excellent Value! - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By OmahaOwner - March 22 - 11:50 pm

  If buying a car is about value, then this car will satisfy. Good handling, extremely quiet interior, great looks and good gas mileage. Not a lot of power but more than adequate for highway cruising and plenty of torque for around-town driving. Ive put 15,000 miles on it and still appreciate the excellent value I received for the cost of ownership!

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  They Got It Right This Time - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By link955 - March 22 - 5:23 pm

  This vehicle is a huge improvement over the original Sportage. Fit and finish is superb, and the suspension is tight as a drum. The highway ride is smoother than many of the larger so- called "luxury" cars Ive tried. Cornering is effortless, with none of the "about to roll-over" feeling from the bigger SUVs. Interior room is astonishing; even big folks are comfortable in the back seat. The 6 Cyl engine is peppy, if a little less than economical (so far I am getting 19 MPG combined, but its still a new engine). The 6-speaker CD sound system is worth the price of admission, with amazing bass response.

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  My love Affair with Sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By ladyvet - March 20 - 10:53 am

  I love my Sorento. I will never buy any thing else!

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  Amazing ... Love this car - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By calhmmr - March 19 - 10:00 am

  I first saw and drove this car in Seoul Korea as a rental and fell in love with it as well as Korea. It felt like a safe and quality concious place and so did the vehicle. I absolutely love it. They have a really kool grille badge for the Korean Market. I am surprised it did not make it to the US with that badge. Mercedes and BMW watch out for this one...

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  I AM IMPRESSED - 2010 Kia Soul
  By DOUGLAS LOWER - March 19 - 3:30 am

  I bought this vehicle in August.I just turned 4000 miles.I traded in a 09 Honda Fit for the Soul.I was very unsatisfied with the Fit,it was cheaply made.The Soul grabbed me with its style.It also felt safer,I was accurate with that impression,it just passed the all new 2010 safety IIHS tests with the best ratings in all four categories.The handling is fantastic and safe.There is always a trade off with great handling,a firmer ride.If you do not like a firm ride get the Plus model.It does not have the Sport suspension and 18in low profile tires.I love the red ext and red and black int.I love all the features.I turned on the rear defrost and realized I had heated mirrors also.Stereo rocks.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By rbthomes - March 16 - 6:36 am

  Excellent ride. Smart styling. Good fit and finish inside and out. Leather seats are firm and comfortable for a big driver. All the doors open wide.

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  Satified Mom - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Lynn Green - March 14 - 10:00 am

  Even though I just purchased the car. I thought that the ride was comfortable and it handled it self good on the road. It is a good car if you dont have a lot to spend but you want something reliable with a excellent warrenty.

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  Sorento - Buy It! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Mary Jo Howell - March 14 - 9:30 am

  This is the first SUV weve owned however many friends have owned one for years. The looks are great, ride is nice.Easy driving for teens is a plus. Still getting used to the gas consumption after driving toyotas (Celica & Camry) over the last several years however we are still pleased with 22-24 highway. Its been great thus far for traveling with ball players on the weekends for 1-3 hour trips. We wouldnt go back to taking a car on the weekend trips for anything.

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  first car for daughter - 2011 Kia Soul
  By Joe C. - March 10 - 12:59 pm

  not the best mileage out there, but a safe, fun entry level car, never been in the shop except for service. Would buy another in a heartbeat!