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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  Sorrento is a Great Value - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By LCB - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Looked at many SUVs ... owned two Jeep Grand Cherokees ... this is far the best valued SUV on the market. Great exterior styling and many interio extras. Very quite motor ... very impressive SUV... be sure and check-out the Sorrento before you purchase your next SUV.

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  Would buy 5!!! - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By sweet_deal - July 11 - 3:11 pm

  I love this car! It I has been my favorite! I bought it used, with 16500 miles on it. For an 06 I bought in 07, the one thing I have replaced on it and right now its 2014, is a battery! Knock on wood... Gas isnt really good but I put better gas in it rather than unleaded, that raises it almost double. I put injection cleaner in all the time! Keep it clean, all fluids good all the time. Best kinds, to make sure runs tip top! I could not ask for a better car.

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  Great Deal for The Money - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By gvtrai58 - July 9 - 6:00 pm

  I purchased a 2007 Sedona (20K miles) about 6 months ago and would do it again. I would have had to buy a 5 year old Honda or Toyota to get the price I did. I bought this thing because I heard kids prone to car sickness do well in minivans. And my 3 year old used to vomit on any trip over about 30m. Well, it worked. The kid doesnt vomit on trips anymore. The vehicle really has a nice ride to it. I am fairly impressed with this vehicle as far as value for the money. My kids call it Daddys truck and I dont really feel like telling them that its a minivan. On the other hand I am not embarrassed because I have another vehicle that is the opposite of a minivan.

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  Beautiful car, outstanding - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By debra roberts - July 9 - 4:45 am

  The only reason I am getting another car is , it is to fancy and too much technology for me. Not a thing wrong with it.

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  Awesome Car! - 2013 Kia Optima
  By me me - July 7 - 1:10 am

  Good in every way.

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  A Great Little Car! - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Tammie - July 6 - 5:50 pm

  Only 1 problem in 3 years--had to get the Catalic Converter replaced but it was under warranty. Took numerous visits to the dealership to get this done--to run all the necessary tests when the check engine light kept coming on. They got it fixed and its been running fine for 8 months since.

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  beutiful - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By bilybob - July 6 - 2:00 am

  PERFECT i wouldnt change a thing it drives great and great sound system great warranty greatlots of room

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  Love my sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By GinnyB - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Only have 2200 miles, and so far my Sorento is everything I asked for and then some. Living in the Northeast, this winter was a breeze after getting this car in February. Wished I had gotten it sooner. The only draw back so far is the gas milage.

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  so far so good for the price - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By ibos38 - July 2 - 7:29 am

  Have not had this vehicle too long but already took it on a 7 hour road trip and was very happy with the performance. I did manage to get the mileage for the buck but mostly when going 65 mph. I was very happy with the 3rd row feature which was the whole reason for buying this model since we had to drive around a few extra people while we were visiting. Even with the 3rd seat up we could get some luggage in the back, an overnight bag and a few other things. I have a big family and someone always wants to tag along with me and my two kids. I test drove the Mazda CX9 and Highlander but was most convinced by this model on price and performance.

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  Great Car - 2002 Kia Optima
  By 2 accidents - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought the base Optima just as a cheap commuting car. After $4,000 for a trade in that was worth $400, I bought a 5 speed LX for $12,500 and monthly payments of about $200. Not bad for a brand new car with a great warranty. However, since I bought it in Oct. 2002, Ive been in two accidents. One was a hit and run and the other involved a guy slamming into me from behind and pushing me into another car. The Optima held up surprisingly well. The guy who hit mes Intrepid was undrivable while the only damage to my car was a dent in the back bumper! It has also been a pleasure to drive - when its not in the body shop!