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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  Best vehicle I have ever owned! - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Robin Cofer - February 19 - 10:43 pm

  I have had this car for a year now. My husband and I continually tell everyone that this is by far the best vehicle we have ever owned. I didnt know what is was when I saw someone driving it. Unlike me, I walked up to a total stranger and asked him about the car. He said he traded his Mercedes for this and he was more pleased with the Amanti. My husband is six and a half feet tall and it is important that he has head-room and has enough legroom. Of course, that generally cramps anyone in the seat behind him, but not in the Amanti. We chose this over a Lincoln and a Cadillac. We have advised two other couples to buy this. They thank us when they see us. Our next car will be an Amanti.

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  nice surprise - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By john1 - February 17 - 10:00 am

  I have had the Sorento for 7 mos and have put 12,100 miles on it, Have taken to long trips, first was 1000 miles r/t the second was 3,900 miles r/t this was from Florida to Canada and many places inbetween. The ride was great and very comfortable, gas milage varied from 19 MPG to 24 MPG (this was at 60 miles per hour in Canada. 2 Adults and 2 children with luggage for a 2 wk vacation and still had enough room, neaver got tired driving and have had no problems whatsoever. The dealer service dept has been excellent with the 2 oil chng and servicing I have had.

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  I dont need a Three blade Star - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By Fred Fleming - February 16 - 6:23 am

  The Amanti is a very comfortable car. I traded a 1999 Lincoln Town Car with a lot of interior room for the Amanti and I find it has as much interior room as the Town Car. The controls are well placed and I especially like the adjustable REAR seats for my passengers. I have the option that allows the windows to darken in the sunlight. OK, I personally dont like the rear view mirrors tilting down when I put it in Reverse. But, my wife does, so to keep her happy, I can always move the mirrors up with the controls then hit the seat memory button when I go back to forward gears and they come back in place. What I go through to keep the wife happy. She likes the car as well as I do.

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  Classy Chassis - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Linda Overman - February 16 - 4:36 am

  Its a shame that American car manufacturers just dont get the idea of quality and comfort. Hats off to Kia for the Amanti--what a beautiful car. Plenty of power, lap of luxury and a pretty cool style! I have driven many American luxury cars- Caddy,Regis,Buick Ford-- but this one is the nicest. Smooth--silent---stable. Everything that a true luxury car should be---without the price gouging.

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  Outstanding! Move over Toyota! - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By joe - February 15 - 5:03 am

  Before you pay more for a Toyota, Honda,etc, you owe it to yourself to look at the Kia! I bought this car a month ago and i cant say enough good about it. Style and features outside are great! Interior features and style, looks and feels awesome, then we get to the best part. This car handles and drives incredibly! I have the SX model which has the sport tuned suspension and it handles and feels like a sports car! I dont understand edmunds review about the motor. They say it gets noisy at high rpm, not mine! The 2.0 in this car has plenty of power and does not require high revs to push or pass! I have the 5 speed manual, its great! Dont overlook the Kia, youll just pay more!

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  Owner and lover - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Rondo-izer - February 13 - 9:30 am

  Very versatile. We only shopped for 7 passenger vehicles. I was hesitant at first, but now I drive it more than my wife does. This has come in handy more than we thought. There are many small items that come in handy, the 12v plug in the rear, rear cargo light, the 12v plug in the console with the cable guide so it will close and not crimp the wire. 2nd row ac vents are also very nice in allowing air to circulate. Tons of cargo space!! Plenty of cup holders helps with kids. Test drive it and you wont believe the visibility or how quiet and enjoyable your ride will be!

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  shockingly good! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By nocal kia convert - February 8 - 9:23 am

  EX 2WD I4 limited/premium & 3rd row I drove a TON of competitors, didnt even know about the new Sorento until I spotted one. It is not just a lot of car for the money, its simply a shockingly nice vehicle. It really shouldnt be compared against RAV4 or CRV - much nicer interior and exterior design, definitely larger, and a more refined ride than either. Size/features/ride slot it more against the Highlander, Murano, or MDX - but undercuts all of those by $10k or more comparably equipped. Interior design/features more tasteful than all save perhaps the MDX. Murano and MDX have a more sportier drive, but for the 10-15K premium they seem a stretch as neither is exactly a Cayenne.

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  Love My Amanti - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Herman de Vries - February 7 - 12:43 pm

  The Amanti was my choice after test driving Cadillac, Mercedes, Buick and a few others. Hands down, it was the winner for quality vs. price. After buying the car, my brother spent an afternoon in the car with me. He owns a new Park Avenue and his comments were, "It rides better, it runs and rides quieter and is more comfortable than my Buick. I wish Id bought one of these." The only disappointment is the city mileage. On the road Ive gotten 30 miles on the Imperial gallon, but in the city in winter, its murder. A pleasure to drive, the one word that describes this car is "smooth, smooth, smooth."

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  Loved my 2001 Optima so much, I upgraded - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Replaced 01 w/ 08 - February 6 - 1:23 pm

  Bought my 2008 EX V6 Optima in June 2008...replaced my 2001 with the same thing because I loved it so much. KIA has the best roadside assistance and warranty. I paid a pretty penny for it ($22K), but left out no features. With my annual mileage averaging 5,000- 6,000, my 10 years will be up before the 100,000 miles on the warranty. And yes, I will keep it that long! People always take a second look at my car when I am driving. Its a sharp- looking vehicle, and it is just as reliable as the Camry and Accord (although NOTHING can beat a Toyota or Honda). I will always by KIAs because both of my Optimas have proven to be reliable. Love our Sedona minivan, too. Foreign is the only way to go.

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  Excellent MPG - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Excellent MPG!!! - February 5 - 7:33 am

  I purchased my 2011 4 cyl Sorento in March 2010 (With Premium 1 and Limited) and normally experience 29-32 MPG on the highway. City driving is around 25- 27. I have 5,500 miles now and very pleased with the MPG. I have been a loyal Honda customer, but they were not willing to consider negotiating on the new Crosstour. Im very pleased with the Sorento thus far.