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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  Perfect Experience - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Happy Customer - April 2 - 2:00 am

  We had a bad experience with a truck dealership, and had bought a 2003 Kia Spectra GSX previously so back to the Kia dealer we went for our next vehicle! The sales people were excellent--and the vehicle is top notch! It rides like a dream--very smooth, and it handles like a car with a tight turning radius. Im used to driving my Spectra and the transition from that to the Sorento was seamless. I wish the gas mileage was better--but for what you get--(all the standard "extras") its worth every penny!

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  Second review - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Jada - April 1 - 11:40 pm

  Hi, This is my second review. My first review was done right after we bought our van and it was a good review but, after having had it for several months I do have some new issues. One being the paint. It scratches and dents very easy. The gas mileage is horrible, the cargo room is next to none. We keep one captains chair out in order to have extra room and we have a chirping noise that happens when we first start the van in the morning or after it has sat for awhile. We were told it is a normal sound because the pistons may stick or get something in them? After the first start up and after it drives awhile it does quit. However it bothers/worries me. Overall It is a good van and we are happy with it!

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  When you really need a car..... - 2001 Kia Rio
  By darinordino - March 31 - 10:00 am

  Weve gotten what we expected out of our Kia Rio. It has been reliable through the first 8000 miles, so thats a good sign. Features are very good for a car that cost $11,400 out the door - A/C, multi-adjustable driver seat and armrest are nice features for an econobox. The interior space is a little cramped when putting a car seat in the back. Most surprising feature: Very low interior noise. The sound on the road sounds like a much more expensive car. Overall, if you dont expect a whole lot you may be nicely surprised at how far your dollar goes in a Kia.

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  How could I say no? - 2002 Kia Optima
  By 3letterword - March 31 - 10:00 am

  I wanted something comfortable, reliable, and inexpensive to own. With a $17k budget my options were several off-lease vehicles that I admire (audis, bmws, etc) but they all had 50k + miles on the odometer. Sure, theyll go another 100k - but not cheaply. In the new car segment there were lots of 4-cyl compacts with sparse interiors. The Optima SE V6 came loaded with every option. Combine the demo discount plus the rebate and it came into my price range. Amazing! Sure, its not one of those German beauties that I drool for, but sometimes reality intervenes. V6 power, comfort, and should anything go wrong - an unmatchable warrantee, plus free road-side assistance.

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  Nice car - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By D n P - March 31 - 10:00 am

  This is a very nice car, especially for the price. Compared to other car manufactures, you can get a lot of the same comparable features/options for a lot cheaper price.

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  Eye Candy leaves you with a sour taste! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Ginger Kita - March 30 - 2:00 am

  2011 Sorento EX with sun-roof and convenience pkg. V6. 3,500 mi This vehicle had a bold, yet classy exterior look.Very appealing from most angles and in most colors. Dark Cherry is still my favorite and glad I chose it (even though you lose some contrast with the various black trim (ie. fog lmaps). Interior is very nice even with cloth seats. Modern and classy (Plastic dash and arm rest could use better materials). Radio is Fair. Sun-roof broke within a few uses and makes annoying vibrations and rattles. Breaks are weak and can be grabby. Transmission has horrible down shift at ~30 mph.Suspension is terrible like a go-cart! Several vibrations and rattles inside. Ride decent on smooth roads.

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  A great car - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By drummajorgeek1 - March 29 - 10:56 pm

  My Spectra an 02 and has 178,000 miles and Im shocked to say it is still running great. My dad and i bought this car over two years ago for about 2K as i was finishing high school. Everything in the interior and exterior still functions. I couldnt ask for a quicker and cooler AC, it works very well. The only set back is that mine has no CD player, but the radio and speakers are good and running. My father and I were a bit skeptical prior to purchasing a Kia, let alone a Used uncertified one, but it has definitely given us a lot to think back on. Im going into my third year of college and doing just well with this auto. It is a very reliable car and hasnt had any mechanical errors.

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  carpe diem - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By your ol pal randy - March 29 - 7:13 pm

  Have been trying to get my wife to look at this car. Once I got her into it, it was a done deal. Quality, price, handling and only 1 trim level = everything. If other cars are a better value, why cant the manufacturers offer a decent warranty? Because they want to nail you for the post warranty work that’s why. Also, msrp =$13,900.00 on other cars. Oh, you want wheels with that? Ends up at $18000.00+. Particularly the Dodge Caliber. Am very, very pleased.

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  So Far So Bad - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Kia Disappointment - March 29 - 1:40 am

  Own a EX V6 FWD with the Premium Package. Interior Fit and Finish are excellent. Exterior in the Titamium Silver is beautiful. Car has been a disappointment though. Many rattles have developed after only 2650 miles on the car. Second and Third row seats are way too tight for adults or teens for that matter. With our 11 month old grandsons car seat in my wife who is 59" tall has to have her seat so far up that her knees touch the dash. Climate Control Sensor has gone bad two times. This is the first car I have ever bought that I regret my decision. To think that I traded an very reliable 04 Mountaineer which I loved, but the MPG was a killer.

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  Impressed with the Sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By amatechsan - March 28 - 11:53 pm

  The Sorento wasnt among the cars we intended to check out. Upon reading the reviews, we added it to the list. The test drive was so smooth, we bumped it up to our top three. When the Honda guy told us that the Sorentos are viable competition to the CR-V, we knew the Sorento was the one to buy.