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 Features, But MPG Concerns - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By ldw31024 - November 19 - 5:33 am

  Was a little concerned about buying a car for my 15 yr old daughter not knowing the safety ratings yet, but was told by my salesperson that it was right up there with the other Kia models so I bought it. The CUV has all the features one could want and then some. From heated leather seats to the back-up camera, I did not get the nav. so that little picture in the rearview mirror can be a little distracting. I was concerned also with the MPG after the first tank only avgd 19 mpg on a 4 cyl but was told after calling the dealership that it would improve with more miles (god I hope so)I drive between 55 and 60 mph with very little city driving all the time. It drives very good and no rattles.

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  good little car - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By sak713 - November 19 - 2:00 am

  so far the car has been good we had one recall something to do with something in the gas tank but we took it back to the dealer and it was fixed in less then 30 min. so far nothing else has happened. Tires are a different thing.they suck.they need to find a different kind of tire to put on the car they are fine if you dont have to drive in snow. but trust me dont drive the car off the lot in the tires that are on the car if it snowing out. but other then that it a nice car. theres plenty of room in the back for a car seat. but if you have to put two in dont plan on anyone else riding back there. but we like it.

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  great auto - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By C W Kixmiller - November 19 - 2:00 am

  drive one and you will fall in love with whith this fine auto.It is powerful quiet and very easy to handle.I would rate it with Cads Jags Mersadies or better.

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  Love at first sight. - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By cbelkins71 - November 19 - 2:00 am

  My Kia Sorento is wonderful, it is equiped with all the necessities to enjoy driving, cruise, power outlets for cell phones, rear hatch, etc.. I test drove a Sorento and fell in love with the SUV. It is stylish and has great manuverability. Furthermore, there is lots of room and cargo space for trips. The backseat can comfortably hold a carseat and two grown adults. Lastly, with the 10 year/ 100,000 mile warrenty how can you go wrong?

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  I LOVE iT - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By baby billy - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I love the sorento i owned the sportege and hated it I wouldnt want nothing other than the sorento its mid size I am a short person and i feel real comfortable

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  xx - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By yogi87108 - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Lots of towing power

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  LEXUS HAS COMPETITION - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By L and D - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I just got my Sorento and I love it! It looks just like the Lexus, but it has a much nicer sticker price. I looked at a lot of SUVs, and there arent any out there that can compare to the features for the price. I would like better fuel mileage though.

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  cats car - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By catster - November 19 - 2:00 am

  i love my Kia Sorrento!!! It is a great SUV--drives well and looks great!! It is a very comfortable car. It has a lot of power too. Good pick up on highways.

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  I love it! - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Normagladys - November 17 - 1:50 pm

  I wouldnt trade my Kia for anything. It handles like a sports car. The interior is classy. The heated seats are a must from now on. Buy one and you will see just what I am talking about.

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  Still love the car, not a fan of customer service - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By weezul - November 17 - 12:42 pm

  Reviewed the vehicle 3 1/2 years after buying, has now been 5 1/2 years. 2 issues since the last review for the vehicle. Started to experience a stiff pinging noise in the front driver side sometime last summer when the vehicle was cold and taking hard left turns slowly. Contributed it to a failing shock, my service manager misdiagnosed twice as brake pad backing plate that needed adjusting. They finally tightened down the shocks cap nut, which stopped the noise. The other issue started two months ago, my passenger mirror and driver side door handle are both peeling the clear coat. Falls out of the 3yr/36 month warranty, but I wrote to express my concerns to corporate, with no results.