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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  4 OC/7yrs - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Gen - September 3 - 12:30 pm

  I have had this car for almost 7 years now and have actually only changed the oil 4 times. (Yes I know very stupid.) But here is the cool thing, it still runs great. I just hit 100,000 miles and no major problems. Have to change the headlights about every 6 months and the AC has a mind of its own but other then that really dependable.

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  Kia Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Gears5150 - September 3 - 10:00 am

  A great SUV at a superprice. No problems at all after 10K miles. Very good ride, better then other cars that I have owned.

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  WOW! - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By btc3 - September 3 - 1:49 am

  Just got the 2014 SXL model. What a great SUV!-- and this is coming from BMW-- which I will never buy again. The Sorento has great handling, pretty good gas mileage and it looks AWESOME! This is my first KIA and I have a feeling I will be a long time customer. Friends of mine also own the new Sorento and have told me that the reliability is fantastic. If you are in the market for a mid-size SUV, I would definitely recommend a test drive.

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  Very Happy with Cinco Wagon - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Bear - August 31 - 3:16 pm

  This has been an excellent car for the 28,000 miles that I have put on it.

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  Quality + Value + Need = Sedona - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By EzS - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Overall, Sedona is a very good van. Quality of components are good, drives well. Never felt slow. Interior comfort is superior compared to most minivans available in the market now. seats can be arranged many different ways. Night time driving is very comfortable. Headlights are very bright. Visibility is excellent even with the rear seat headrests in place. Only negative thing i can say about the van is the fuel economy. Trip range is approximately 270 miles on average on full tank of regular Gasoline. Not good. Averages around 16 mpg.

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  This is a great car!!!!! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Pzukes - August 31 - 2:00 am

  I got my Sorento EX 4WD luxery package retailing for just under $28,500 about a month ago. This car is an excellent vehicle. I had no problem paying this price because i have heard nothing but good news about this car. Kia - you have done a great job in designing and building a great vehicle. Now just put some effort in building your other cars better. I love my Sorento. GREAT JOB KIA!!!

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  awesome baby - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By hany - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Its been one week since I purchased my sorento, so far Im very pleased with everything. This vehicle is handsome, powerful, well made, and cheapest midsize suv. With comparable features, sorento is by far cheaper than ford explorer, gmc envoy, and grand cherokee. As far as build quality is concern, this vehicle is better detail than honda crv or honda accord that I owned. Basically, I bought sorento ex with no option, and you dont need options, everything comes standard, including sunroof. This is truely the most beautiful car I ever owned.

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  Improved - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Wayne Pfeiffer - August 29 - 5:20 pm

  We traded in our 2012 SX for a new 2016 SXL with the turbo 4. The improvements are many and measurable. The ride quality being number 1. The ride is much quiter and it takes bumps and potholes so much easier. The steering feel is stiffer and feedback is noticable, way better than previous models.The inside is much roomier n way more comfortable. The display for the backup camera and navigation is brighter and much easier to see and read in sunlight.

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  Thank Goodness for Warranty - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Ann - August 29 - 6:23 am

  Within 1 year of owning the Kia the rear wheel bearings & automatic transmission gave out. Thankfully it was covered by the warranty & I also had all maintenance records! Have replaced the sun visors, the rubber insulation around the doors. Dealer replaced the pump for the wiper washer fluid and the air conditioning belt, but the belt still squeals & the washer fluid doesnt pump. The paint on the rear bumper is very faded and paid $50 for a plastic radiator fan which likely costs 50 cents in Korea. Saving grace is the gas mileage and that the car is paid for until the next repair, as the warranty has expired.

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  Best kept secret - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Mike Muckenfuss - August 29 - 1:46 am

  The Kia Optima is one of the best cars out there if given the chance. My wife has a 2003 LX-V6 and i have a LX 4cyl BEST price, BEST warranty BEST all around car. Look forward to my next Optima purchase.