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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  Great Vehicle! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Saul & Ruby - December 19 - 11:33 pm

  We bought our Sorento on Memorial Day and decided on it because we learned it is now built in the U.S. by American workers. I researched price, performance, interior & exterior quality and visited dealers of different makes and models for 3 weeks. THIS is the vehicle we returned to. It has much more accessories for your dollar than the Escape, Rav4, Equinox or Tuscon. With the 5 year bumper to bumper warranty, we couldnt say no. The interior is quality material and the outside looks great. The ride is great as well. I highly recommend this crossover/suv. KIA looks like they are going to be around for a very long time. Nice going KIA.

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  Its a Sleeper - 2008 Kia Amanti
  By simickua - December 19 - 6:13 pm

  I was an emergency vehicle instructor for many years. I have driven every type of ambulance and police pursuit vehicle. Wow, impressed with the Amanti. I dont think the sales guy had too much fun when I gave it a few tests before we bought it, but I wanted to know what the car would do under extremes. In an empty lot I made my wife and salesman want to get out! Power? 270 hp+torque! Its a sleeper and I clocked it at 0 to 60 in 6 sec. No joke! Cornered perfect at high speeds nice and tight, easy 360 tight turn, reverse is clear in the mirrors. No dead spots etc. The car does not do big bumps. Inside-everything you would expect in more expensive models of its kind. Luxury-speed-warranty=win!

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  Awesome SUV - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Randall - December 17 - 6:23 am

  The 2017 Sorento is a great SUV. I have the LX AWD model and it has everything that I need. Love the Apple CarPlay. I have had it for a year now and I still look forward to taking trips in it. This is my 3rd Kia, and while the reliability of the other 2 was great, the quality of materials and fit and finish in this one is much better than in the past. The Sorento should NOT be overlooked when shopping for SUVs.

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  Amanti. Quality for the Price - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Steve Hansen - December 15 - 8:33 am

  Have only had the car for 3 months, but so far Im very pleased. A very comfortable ride; handles nicely on the highway. Very solid. A great car for the price.

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  Pretty Good Car! - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By American Eagle - December 15 - 2:00 am

  Even though this Kia Sephia isnt a Mitsubishi Eclipse or something off the Fast and Furious, it is overall a GREAT vehicle, and will get me where I need to go. I plan on putting an aluminum wing on it and making it look very nice. Just a few little things mess up every once in a while, but since i have had it for a year, the only problem i have had on it is the coils (spark plug coils) go out, and it was only a 200.00 fix, and it runs better than it has - i believe that is the way it came from the dealership, but other than that it is a great car, and recommend it to anyone who is thinking about it.

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  Absolutely excellent vehicle! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Bob Peck - December 9 - 8:40 pm

  I really like my Sportage. Drove it to the Grand Canyon recently where it delivered good power, quiet and pleasant ride and decent fuel economy (27 MPG). Mine is the luxury edition with leather, great radio with 6 deck CD and excellent dash set up. Interior is very flexible and accommodating -- all for $20,000 with the 10 year warranty.

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  Sorento Rocks!!!!!! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Galadriel - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I just picked up my Sorento last night and Im sooo happy I ditched my minivan for a Sorento! I went grocery shopping right after picking up my Kia, parked right next to a Lexus SUV; I think my car looks just as nice! I looked long and hard at Jeep, Toyota, and Mazda before getting a Kia. I challenge anyone to try get as much from those guys (Jeep, Toyota, or Mazda) for $25,000 as you get in a Sorento EX.

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  Love my Sorento SX AWD - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Micki Brake - December 7 - 4:02 pm

  This Kia is everything you could ask for. It is comfortable. Quite. Classy looking. And most of all I feel safe in it. They have done a great job with all the safety features. It has excellent power and all the controls are easy to see and get to. You wont be disappointed with this Kia !

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  better than I thought - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By pappitto - December 7 - 6:23 am

  A very nice vehicle to drive, it loves to speed to an easy 70 mph. Youll need to keep an eye for the gas pedal; very soft.

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  Love my Forte! - 2012 Kia Forte
  By double77s - December 6 - 5:04 am

  I decided to purchase the Forte Sedan because of all the features I got for the best price. Kia also has the best warranty in the business and that is what truly sealed the deal for me. I do not have a great history with cars and was reluctant to have a car payment again. I chose Kia because if something goes wrong...its covered by warranty. Also, I am driving the most fun car I have ever owned. Sunroof, satellite radio, and very comfortable seats sold me when I took the test drive. This is the smallest car Ive owned but it drives like a bigger car and is great on gas. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a great car with great features and warranty at a great price.