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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  My Sedona - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By john eppich - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Purchased my Sedona the Saturday before Christmas, currently have 8450 miles with no problems. Great ride and plenty of power. Why pay 6 or 7 thousand dollars more for another brand of van? All kinds of goodies for your buck. My EX listed for 22,456 was able to buy for 21,500. Also runs on regular unleaded, unlike some of the others. Highly recommended!

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  I was surprised! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Ann - September 1 - 6:53 pm

  I did a lot of research and comparison shopping before buying my KIA Sportage EX w/ leather package. My gut wanted to get a Honda CRV or Toyota RAV4 for the obvious reasons, but neither had the features, ride, price, or warranty that won me over with the Sportage. I also live in the city and for practical reasons a hatchback was a MUST for me - not a side opening trunk. I almost bought the Hyundai Tucson (identical to the Sportage), but just prefered some of the slight styling & gadgets in the Sportage better (ie. different trunk covers). So far it has lived up to my expectations. Definitely has the best features and warranty for the best price.

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  So far I rally love it! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Steve131 - August 31 - 12:13 pm

  I have just at 2000 miles on it so far. I drove just about all the other SUVs in this price range, and me and my wife both liked this one the best. I only hope that I will be has happy with it in two years as I am with it so far. I have had many new vehicles, and I am tough to please. The Sorento just simply offered more for my money than anything else out there. Very pleased so far.

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  Move over Rav-4 & CRV - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By corby2 - August 30 - 10:33 am

  My wife wanted a small ute that could get her around during the long New England winter so AWD was a must-have. We started out looking at the same old/same old Rav 4 and CRV. They were both boring. Maybe its because the styling is getting dated on both of these utes. We checked out the Sportage after seeing a couple on the road. The dealer had just got in the SX in a really nice color (Mineral Gray). One test drive and we were sold. Performance, style and price sold us on this car. That was in April. Now its October and the only thing we have had to do is change the oil. If you are even thinking of a Rav-4 or CRV check out the Sportage. Kia has come a long way in a very short time.

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  A mini Town car - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By vettedave99 - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Car rides like a small Town car . Fit and finish is the best . I turned in a 2004 Nissan Max SL for this car.

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  New Car at a great price - 2004 Kia Optima
  By BC Baker - August 30 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I have been looking for a new car for about 5 months. When I first went to the car lots to find a new car I had sticker shock. I couldnt see why cars should cost so much. One day we decided to take a drive to Pocatello Idaho and see what the new Kias Looked like. They are a very stylish car. The front end kinda looks like a BMW . We test drove the car and I just fell in love with it. Yeah it dont have ABS brakes on it but you know ABS brakes wherent always around. For the price of the Car we got a really good deal and they are going to stand behind it with a 100,000 thousand mile waranty.

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  Great Car - 2004 Kia Optima
  By southernmsboy - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2003 Optima. I was Newvous about buying a Kia, but not anymore. The car has been great. People are always asking me what type of car it is. When I tell that is is a Kia they are shocked. Kia has come along way since the Sephia and it shows.

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  wow! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By KAREN - August 30 - 2:00 am

  You get so much for your money! It is really amazing.

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  Best Midsize SUV on the Market - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By rphlegar - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Sorento for three months now, and the only bad thing I have to say about it is that it doesnt get good gas mileage. The ride is excellent and the design is very good. Add to that the warranty that comes with it and the amount you pay for it, and I think you will find that this is the best Midsize SUV on the market.

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  pleased - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By mouse3458 - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I totally love my Kia Sorento! Its comfortable and easy to drive. I love how high up it sits, shifts smoothly, and the room inside for us long legged people!!