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:

• 

  This little beast kicks serious %$*^! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By RedhairMac - January 6 - 10:00 am

  Ive been the proud owner of a Kia Sorento for 6 mos and love it more every day. I fondly refer to it as "Beastie" because of how efficiently it devours the road. It looks so good too, at a price way below the competition. Do yourself a favor and before you buy anything, try the Sorento! (Have you seen the movie "Seabiscuit"? Well, this tough little SUV is Seabiscuit!

• 

  GREAT VEHICLE FUN RIDE - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By MARC - January 6 - 10:00 am

  IT HAS LOOKS PERFORMANCE AND GREAT HANDLING.RADIO AND CD PLAYER HSA THE FASTEST RESPONSE WHEN CHANGING STATIONS OR CDS.OVERALL I WOULD RECOMMEND THE KIA EX.WELLWORTH THE PRICE.

• 

  I love my Optima - 2010 Kia Optima
  By redsgirl1 - January 6 - 3:02 am

  I purchased my 2010 KIA Optima a year ago and I couldn’t be happier. It was one of KIA’s “rentals” with 12,000 miles on it and in pristine condition inside and out. I’m getting about 30 mpg around town. It handles beautifully and I feel safe and secure driving it. My mechanic was very impressed with it when I took it in for an oil change. Said I made a smart purchase. I’m an old woman now, 67, and this will probably be my last car but if I ever have to buy another car I would buy this one in a heartbeat.

• 

  My jaw hit the floor - 2010 Kia Soul
  By tim - January 4 - 1:53 pm

  I was not in the market for a car. I drove by the lot that was changing to Kia, so, they only had one model of each car. Perched high on a lift was an engine orange Kia sport! I turned around, test drove the car, went home and researched/went back and bought it. Ive only owned hondas! This is my grand new car owner moment. I start each day in a good mood, because the car is amazingly fun to drive! I live by Disney, tourist drenched, &Ive been stopped 2 dozen times, with people asking endless questions! I do agree on the easily scratched plastic interior! USA assembly perfection. Gorgeous angles. Perfect comfort. Fingertip controls. Hidden trunk grocery stow. Solar Windows. Made for Young, but proud 47 year man

• 

  Youll Love This Car! - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Ellen - January 3 - 3:43 am

  This car handles extremely well in snow and driving rain, rides like a cream puff, has a beautiful interior and exterior, is incredibly reliable, can fit five people comfortably, has a huge trunk with a pass-through opening from the backseat, has a wonderful sound system, has convenient controls on the steering wheel for the cruise control and stereo system, and all-in-all one of the best cars I have ever purchased!

• 

  Best Car For The Money - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Excellent Car - December 31 - 4:23 pm

  It drives smooth, holds the road, has plenty of power. It is quiet and comfortable. I can barely hear the engine from inside the car. It has every option that are in other vehicles costing thousands more. The warranty and dealer support are second to none.

• 

  Looking good - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Davids Tacto - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Design, silent! Soft drinving.

• 

  2.4 GDI w/ convenience package - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By broncob - December 30 - 6:27 am

  My wife and I recently purchased a 2012 Sorento. We were very impressed by the performance of the the new GDI engine and have found it more than adequate for getting around the mountains of Colorado. It also handles very well for a crossover. We got the convenience package and the interior is very well laid out and stylish. My only complaint is that the back seat room is a little tight if someone tall is up front, but the sacrifice is worth it for the 3rd row. Compared to other companies, you get so much more standard with Kia (bluetooth, USB, trim, etc.) We just traded in a 2010 Hyundai Tucson with a similar power plant and never had a single issue in 20,000 miles.

• 

  Just What I Was Looking For - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By Emma in Virginia - December 30 - 1:50 am

  I had a 2000 Kia Sportaqe for 8 years and could not kill it. Therefor I wanted another Kia but with more cargo space. Great to drive with good gas mileage. I get 21MPG in mostly city type driving. Highway is near 30MPG. Cargo space is fantastic compared to other similar models and makes. Kia motors were very helpful in transferring the warranty to me on the day of purchase. With only 15,000 miles on the odometer, I got a "new" car for a great price.

• 

  Outstanding Value! - 2008 Kia Amanti
  By Jagnomore - December 27 - 6:50 pm

  I have owned a Lincoln LS and Jaguar S- Type. Both have had their issues. The Amanti is hands down a better riding and quieter machine than both; with more features. Recently returned from a 500 mile trip and got 26-27 mpg overall with outstanding ride. Superb power, extremely comfortable and user friendly interior. Unique styling that does NOT look like everything else on the road. And, best of all-- this car only had 2k miles but paid less than 60% of original price. Undoubtedly the best riding car yet. KIA has done a superb job in building this machine; I was a little reluctant to purchase the brand, but glad I did.