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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  Its Been A Great Car! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By Hendy - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I have 50,000 miles on my Sportage and it has been a great, mostly troublefree car. The only major problem was the front hubs (made by Warn) which are now fixed. Cant beat it for the price.

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  Amanti is great - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By morganj529 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle for the price is a nice comfortable yet sleek and stylish. It is great for long rides very comfortable. I get a lot of compliments on mine

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  Great SUV - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By MEGOTONE - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Great looks, value and SUV for money. Must be the best in the market. Compares to SUVs 10K more yet sturdy and well styled and equiped. VERY QUIT AND COMFORTABLE. WATCH OUT EVERYONE!

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  from toyota to kia - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By carl & mary - October 19 - 2:00 am

  We needed a larger 4x4 than our 2003 toyota RAV4. WE looked at every larger model including Ford, Chevy., Dodge and Toyota. After driving all of the others we settled for the Kia. It drives very well and is most comfortable. The features for the price makes it a very good buy. We have two friends that already own the Sorento, and they are very happy with theirs.

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  MANY SUVS - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By R FARRELL - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE OWNED ALMOST EVERY SUV AND FOUND THAT FOR THE DOLLAR AGAINST THE RETURN IT WILL BE HARD TO BEAT THIS VEHICLE. EXCELLENT WARRANTY. COMPARED AGAINST 3 OTHER SUVS BEFORE I BOUGHT.

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  Worth every penny - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By ML - October 14 - 3:16 pm

  My wife and I have owned a Voyager and a Caravan. From the start it was one problem after another. We made the decision to try the newly remodeled Sedona. It has been by far the best minivan we have owned. The ride is very nice and the interior is roomy and very comfortable. What you get for the price beats anything out there in my opinion.

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  afte 9 months and 10,000 miles - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By benigo - October 12 - 11:10 pm

  Driver comfort, interior appointments,dealer service, sound system, electronic info display, all excellent.

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  In love! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By JSTARK - October 12 - 5:43 am

  My husband & I are madly in love w/ this vehicle! We looked for 6 mths before we were ready to purchase & it was between the sorento, equinox & hyundi tuscon(santa fe is actually same sz as sorento but starting price much higher)The standard features w/ the sorento are bar none. And safty features sold me. I was really worried about going from a v6 to a 4, but it wasnt as big a change as i thought it would be. a couple minor negatives: mp3 transmitter is almost worthless, (it worked fine in my escape), Bluetooth chic rarely understands call- name requests, & we are pretty disappointed in the gas milage, which is entire reason we downgraded to a 4 cylinder.

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  Best car for the money in a long time - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Elmo - October 11 - 7:36 pm

  I am 60 and cars have always been a hobby of mine. I decided to trade in my HHR due to rusting and other problems. I have looked at many cars and drove several and I like this car over the camry and accord, witch cost 10000 more comparably equipped. I chose the SX 4cyl model and so far I am totally delighted. Who knows what the future brings but so far excellent! I never thought I would buy a Kia but, I have to say they have come a long way.

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  Best bye buck for buck - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Richard Knowles - October 9 - 2:36 am

  I think Kia went the extra mile on there Sedona. Every avalable space inside has a purpose with three glove compartments and a safe, cup holders ,C D holder,etc.With the V6- 5 speed this van has plenty of power.Handles very well in the snow and has a passing gear at 60 miles per hour that you still have power to pass on the highway.The only thing Kia could do better for this van is to inprove the gas mileage.