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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  front edn problem with 2011 Kia - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Williams - August 19 - 4:00 am

  We bought a 2011 new Kia Sorento 1 month ago. From the start the the steering pulled to the right. I took the car back to the dealer twice. the problem was not fixed. Yesterday ,I got a call for the service manager that there is a problem with the v6 2011 Sorento and it is with the spring coils in the front end. Apparently this has been a problem because the spring coil parts are on back order. I guess a lot of poeple are having this issue with their Sorento. I am very disappointed with Kia. This is a brand new car and already Im having issues with the car. The car has not been fun to drive because of this uncomfortable hold I have to use while steering the car.

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  Steel gray Sportage EX - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By lhobbs - August 19 - 2:10 am

  I love this car. I have owned 6 cars in the last 12 years from Ford, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Kia, but the supposed loser of the bunch, my Kia Sportage, is the most solid and fun to drive of them all. It looks good, has decent power from the V6, has an awesome interior with many standard features, plus the best warranty you will find anywhere. Granted, I havent owned it for a long time so reliability is a question mark. One thing that I hate is taking a car in for repairs although honestly my other cars were reliable. I am taking a chance with Kia knowing fully well it could be a bomb. But if you look at the old Kias and compare them with the new ones I believe that is a chance worth taking.

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  Pretty Nice Sedan and the Price is Great - 2003 Kia Optima
  By lh_acer - August 14 - 10:00 am

  It rides smooth and has a great initial acceleration.

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  I love my KIA - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Michele - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Never in a million years would I have believed that I would ever own a KIA, however the Sorento has definately changed my opinion. I LOVE this vehicle! I would definately recommend the Sorento and would purchase again in the future.

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  NO REAR VIEW - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By LUVKIA - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Just got my 2004 Kia today. Love it!!! Mine is black w/ the side running bars. What a fantastic ride. My partner just got a Lexus RX330 and he compares my Kia to his Lexus as a comparable vehicle.

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  Great Quality & Service - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Capt 4 - August 13 - 9:53 pm

  This is the first automatic I have owned in years. The car has style, a great sound system and is worth the money. Good value by far, for what you get. Many come up and ask me how do I like the car. Are there any problems? I tell them for about $9k less than the Japanese brands, with the same features and no problems its a good value. I will say the service is by far # 1 on their agenda - they do a good job of pleasing the customer. The only bad feature is outdated colors for the newer cars. We had all the green and dark grey cars to last for another century. Especially when you want to attract younger buyers. Take a tip from Toyo and Nissan when its color time Kia and Hyundai!

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  Great SUV for everyone - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By JustinD - August 13 - 11:43 am

  Have had car for 2 weeks and love it better looking than the crv and rav4 have had people tell me it looks like a acura couldnt be more happier have noticed on uneven road it does tend to pull a little as mentioned in another review. could use a bit more space in the back with the 3rd row up. other than those just a great car to own.

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  Fun Family Ride - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Fabulous - August 13 - 8:43 am

  Love this car...or is it an SUV? Drives like a car, but you are up higher and off the road which is nice. Super versatile, tons of room, my kids have long long legs and they love the extra leg room. I like the visibility from the drivers side and its so cute and fun to drive! My daughter hopes she gets to drive it when she turns 16 in a few more years...Great family runabout vehicle.

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  looking for something else - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By angryKowner - August 12 - 7:16 pm

  At first I loved it, despite the fact that at the dealer when I had to take it back for a missing cup holder and a wash that didnt happen. It was dry wiped but once I got home and decided to wash it myself I saw why, they had ran into something, a dent and some scratches with yellow paint was on it. But I let it go, it had been christened. Not even 2 years old yet and has been towed twice during this winter weather. First they said it was frozen and or flooded. Second time they did a fuel induction ($171.00 out of pocket) thinking that was the cause of it not wanting to start...not. The next time it didnt start I used a blanket to cover the engine over night, it started! Silly but true.

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  Soul Love - 2010 Kia Soul
  By KIA love - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Just traded in my cobalt for a Soul and I love every minute of driving it. It is a big small car. Looking at it from the outside you would never think there could be so much space. I have the audio upgrade and auto dimming rear view mirror I highly recommend both. It is everything you could want a car to be. If she treats me right I may be loyal to Kia for life. I get a lot of compliments on it. Get the ipod cable its worth it.