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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  ABOUT TIME - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By BOBERTSSORENTO - February 10 - 2:00 am

  WOW IT WAS A LONG WAIT, BUT FINALLY A WELL MADE VEHICLE AND A LONG WARRANTY, AND A GREAT PRICE.... AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS SUPER GREAT, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE SALE... THANKS KIA AND PHIL LONG KIA OF CHAPEL HILLSSSSS

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  The V-6 is the way to go - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By andrewm1 - February 9 - 10:07 pm

  I actually bought a 2011 4 cylinder Kia Sorento back in March 2011.The engine was to slugglish and was somewhat dissapointing.I traded it in a bought a 2012 6 cylinder this past December and am much happier now.The V6 276 horses are fantastic and it does not strain the engine.The ride is quiet and smooth.Absolutely NO body lean in sharper turns,unlike the old school SUVs from the 1990s where every turn felt like a potential rollover.Leg and headroom are great.Climate control is superb.Gas mileage takes a hit from the AWD but on the highway,I still get over 20 MPG,less in city driving.(NYC is tough on MPG for all cars period)

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  Good Deal - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Funkhouser - February 8 - 11:33 am

  I love my Sportage. She is beautiful to look at, a great comfortable ride and has quite alot of get up and go. The price was right and I like the new size. Alot of room. Just perfect for me.

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  Best Value Ive Had - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Papapat - February 8 - 12:56 am

  Im in real estate and use my car a lot! Besides my own driving comfort, etc., its important to me that my clients are comfortable. They are. Its very easy to get in and out of, including the back, which is a big factor. Ive received many positive comments from clients about my car. For the money I paid, about $26,000 with everything I could get on/in it, I think its one of the best car values Ive ever got. Ill bet Ive helped sell a bunch of them to others.

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  EXTREMELY HAPPY SO FAR !!!!!! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Dolfan - February 5 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely LOVE my new Sorrento. I have a base EX model and had it a month now (1,000 miles) and I love more and more each day. The sound system is amazing for a factory system. The ride is superior for an SUV you almost feel like your gliding on some road surfaces. To get all those features for that price is unbelievable. I compared allot of vehicles and to get everything packed into the Sorrento you would pay 5 to 10 grand more. I am really looking forward to testing it out on the snowy roads this winter ! I am sure it will pass that test with flying colors also.

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  Kia Sportage 2008 - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By The realdeal - February 3 - 1:30 pm

  The Sportage offers a great deal for the right price. Purchased through the "Same as Kia employee program" offered by the dealership. Sticker at 22100 and paid 16400. The truck rides very well for a SUV. The braking is excellant and the steering is very responsive. Noise is limited, but rear tire noise from buzzing down the road could be annoying at times. The heat and air con work very well, has a airflow filter and the fan has great airflow if desired. I dont think the seats would be very comfortable on long trips. The back seats especially. The seats seem very stiff but are ok on the back. The warranty is unsurpassed. See if your Ford or honda offer that! Needs higher center armrest.

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  Happy Amanti Owner - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By Ed - February 1 - 5:16 pm

  Best car I have ever owned. Very happy with this car. Unbelievable quality and features. It is as good or better than a Benz, BMW, Jag, etc.

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  Great midsize SUV - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Dan - February 1 - 3:53 am

  We bought our 2005 Sorento two months ago and love it. Short of a brake lamp going out, we have had no problems whatsoever. The interior space is ample and we absolutely love the styling. More than once people have commented, "Wow, I cant believe thats a Kia." Wed highly recommend this SUV for anyone with a small family.

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  Wonderful!!! - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By asiel1 - January 31 - 6:00 pm

  This is my first SUV. I purchased it last November after my car was totaled. We have driven this car home to Louisiana (8 hours) Jacksonville Fl (13) and Colorado Springs(13).-- one way trips. The car drove beautifully and was comfortable for my three kids. - 18,13, and 10. The only complaint I have had is shifiting into gear in the mountains, it drags a bit. -- and occasionally the downhill and traction control button comes on, but other than that nothing. The hankook tires are okay, but wear out quickly--41,000 for me and will be replaced with Michelins. All in all, I love this car. buy one and never look back. I plan on driving mine for years!

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  Lyft Driver: Im on the road 24/7 - 2016 Kia Optima
  By Kamran. S - January 31 - 1:51 pm

  So I traded in my baby a 14 Chevy Camaro for this 16 Optima EX ( New Horizon Blue color) 2.4 liter 4-cyl. I simply needed 4 doors to drive for Lyft Full time. So far I have had this car for about 3 weeks I purchased the car with 150 miles on it and now have around 2500 miles on it already :/ This was my first "Brand new" car. What I like about this car is the styling Im 28 years old and I dont feel like grandpa pulling up to an event or to someones house. I get daily compliments on the car from the ladies they love the sporty high-end look and the light colored leather interior feels like a benz/beamer on the inside. I spend alot of time in this car Gas mileage is ok I get right about what the car is rated to get. I was not getting as great gas mileage and power until I switched from 87 to 89 octane gas... I know every one says it doesnt make a difference well that may be true for you. I am a Car guy and I can definitely tell the difference, and trust me its not placebo. The 2.4 at first drive did seem a bit sluggish compared to the Accord and the Legacy the other 2 cars I was comparing. But throw it in sport mode but keep in in Drive dont use the sport shift/manual mode it really doesnt help actually makes the car slower from gears 1-3. The only time I felt a benefit was when I drove up Mount Lemmon in Arizona (steep hills/Winding roads) Thats when having control of my shifts really helped but other than that stick to Full Auto/ Drive. I picked the optima because of the obvious Warranty benefit. Also they have some really good service I called to set up my road side which I recommend you do when you buy the car to prepair incase of assistance you dont have to spend 30 mins giving your personal info as your stranded. My only hope or Con was that I wish Kia gave this optima some more hp and low end torque without having to drop 30+ grand to go with a SX-L. And also after driving lirterally all day the seats feel very uncomfortable. And im an average body type I am 511 Athletic and about 180 pounds.