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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  Worst car ever - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Dontdoit! - December 28 - 1:36 pm

  I dont have enough room to get too detailed but its been in the shop since 5k miles so far 21 times for electrical problems, brake lights, headlights, check engine light coming on, new transmission, brakes X3, u-joints, huge vibration on floor board, squealing belts and KIA acts as if this is my fault and it only has 67k miles on it. I will NEVER buy another Kia as long as I live. I read the posting and there seems to be alot of the same problems I am having with mine. Now its value dropped so much I cant even exchange the vehicle for something else. Its a dangerous car to have, therefore retained an attorney.

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  Easy in and out - 2013 Kia Soul
  By satisfied owner - December 27 - 5:43 pm

  CD players are not available after 2013. We have a huge collection and that was desirable to us. The main driver has a paralyzed left leg, and getting in and out easily was our top priority. Very pleased.

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  BEWARE of KIA !! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By LWaylett - December 27 - 4:40 pm

  KIA Motors does not honor their warranties by FIXING the defects in their vehicles. My 2004 Sorento has had MANY bulbs replaced and Kia service said they did not know what the problem was. Now that my warranty has expired, I find that KIA DID know the harness wiring needed to be replaced so fix the reoccurring problems of headlights/tail lights going out. They knew this back in 2006, and made those changes on their new vehicles in 2007.

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  GREAT VALUE - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By jack germain - December 27 - 7:46 am

  The cost $9450. almost $2700 below invoice. Took a test drive and immediately bought it. People are saying it gets bad gas mileage. I put mobil 1 oil in it after having driven 600 miles. I get 40 mpg on the road and 32 mpg overall town. I happy with it except the high speed of the engine during shift changes.

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  Look elsewhere - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By indiana - December 26 - 9:26 pm

  Bought used w/25,000 miles it loves to ride on the back of a tow truck and has spent 1/4 of each year in the shop. Air bag sensors, accelerator pedal sticks, then it wont go at all brakes been replaced 2xs in 55,000 miles and need another set, tranny shifts poorly, battery goes bad, alternator, brake light sensor out and runs down battery. Change headlights and turn signals every 2 months, drinks power steering fluid, the dealership can never "duplicate" problems when car misbehaves, turn off call tow truck and have it towed, dont turn back on or they cant read the "code" and wont fix whatever is wrong. Electronic nightmare! I suggest you run quickly Toyota is worth the money

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  Love it - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Kia Lover - December 26 - 2:20 pm

  Researched Toyota Highlander and test drove Hyundai Santa Fe, purchased the Sorento EX. Wanted the added protection of curtain airbags. Added Torque-on- Demand, and ABS breaks, for the best value for my buck. This truck is roomy and attractive inside and out. Handles well, seats 5 comfortably, and offers more than enough cargo space. Everytime I come outside and see it, Im glad I purchased it.

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  kia builds a great suv - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By rob - December 24 - 10:33 pm

  Wife was hit head on by a chevy cavalier. Chevy was totalled and the kia suffered a broken grille,hood and fender. 2500 to repair it. She was not hurt either.

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  MY Amanti - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Anthony - December 24 - 7:16 pm

  In the real estate business, this car performs well. It looks great, is quiet so we can speak without the thumping and banging my past luxury cars had. Almost no wind noise and the engine is quiet. The heat and A/C work well, great traction in wet and snow. I drive 40k a year and this car does what it should. Nothing has broken, and all systems are above par. I have had many other cars; Jag X and S, Chrysler 300M, and Park Aveneu, but none have it all like the Amanti. I listen and feel for vibrations; this is a heavy car and has none. Quality everywhere -- just open the hood, trunk, and doors. If Kia came to U.S with its current cars and prices everyone would respect their product more.

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  Love My Kia Sedona - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By stewartfansinfl - December 24 - 10:00 am

  Really like the van. Kids love the built in DVD player.

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  Advice - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Toya - December 24 - 10:00 am

  I have had several people mention to me not to buy a Kia. I asked why because they said they were cheap and lemons. Well I was in the market for a new SUV, so I test drove the Liberty, Escape and the Sorento. Now my mind was set on the Escape( Every car I have own was a Ford). But I was passing by the Kia Dealership and decided to stop and test drive the Sorento. Boy, was I surprise. I mean I fell in LOVE Instantly. By the time I left, I was riding home in my new Sorento. All of those people that told me not to by a Kia. How do they know they never owned one. So I have my own advice now. Go give Kia a chance. You wont be disappointed