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:

• 

  Kia crumpled, but I didnt! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By mamaofpits - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Kia Sporty 4x4 as I wanted something rugged, safe, and able to get through flooded streets. It never let me down, always started right up and got me where I was going... except for one day. I was stopped in traffic when this monsterous extended van plowed into me at about 45 - 50 mph and was a chain reaction. I walked away with minor injuries... no broken bones! The paramedics were amazed. Either the Kia is indeed built to be very safe and sturdy and/or my guardian angel was with my that day. Would I buy another one... absolutely!

• 

  My Amati - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Rich G. - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Just got my Amati and it is a car I love to drive. It rides very smooth, and is very, very quiet. Have no regrets getting this car.

• 

  Jos Truck - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Jdrogue - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I would buy this SUV again in a heart beat. I purposly bought the factor model, no extras and have been satisfied completely.

• 

  The Best Yet! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By EFP - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Previously owned a 2003 Sedona EX for several months. Traded for the Sorento because our dog didnt like not having back seat windows that didnt open!! We liked the performance of the Sedona so much that we knew we wanted to stay with a KIA. Im so happy and pleased that we did!

• 

  Truly a best buy! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By starrn1 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  The Kia Sorento gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Most of my riders are surprised by the size of the interior, the standard features, cargo room, and how it rides. After they get over their awe the ask about the gas mileage. There in lies the rub! While it doesnt get good gas mileage, it is pretty standard for an SUV with 4 wheel drive. Ive enjoyed driving my Sorento this past year. It has been reliable, safe, and fun to drive!

• 

  Kia can still improve - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Kia owner - July 21 - 2:00 am

  The problem is that the check engine light continues to go on. I have brought it to be serviced 5 times in 8 months and they still cannot fix it.

• 

  HORRIBLE piece of junk - 2004 Kia Optima
  By David - July 20 - 3:43 pm

  Have had my Kia for about 2 years. Constant trouble. Timing belt, pully, power steering, and now the computer is out. Guess I will have to sell it on ebay for a few hundred bucks.

• 

  Fun vehicle to drive - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By lab1 - July 18 - 8:06 am

  Like some people, we were nervous about buying a Kia. I test drove several small SUVs and fell in love with the Sorento. I have 50K miles on it with no problems whatsoever. Ive pulled a trailer and the 4wd has been great for the winter snow. I have been extremely happy with my Sorento and have been pleased.

• 

  Soul in need of Divine intervention!!!! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Hazegray - July 17 - 8:46 am

  This car rides like an empty gravel truck!!! Roughest ride Ive ever had - - totally unexpected and unacceptable!!! I even lowered the tire pressure to see if I could soften the ride --no appreciable differance. Ill be trying to palm it off as soon as I can find a sucker to buy it. It is loud, thirsty, and uncomfortable. Ive put 4xxx miles on it in the first month, so I have enough seat time to make an accurate evaluation. Lots of hard surfaces in interior - nothing is padded or even a little soft. When the seat belt retracts, it mars the hard plastic door panel. Biggest mistake Ive ever made in buying a vehicle. Test drive over rough road before buying!!!

• 

  2011 Optima EX w/ Premium Package - 2011 Kia Optima
  By arumage - July 16 - 12:03 am

  So far, Im really enjoying my new Optima. It looks great and the features are awesome. It has enough power for any driving that I do and so far is returning about 27 mpg in mixed driving even though its not fully broken in yet. It really loved being driven steadily between 45 and 55mph. The trip computer says its getting about 39mpg at those speeds, although I hear its a little optimistic.