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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  Its the Bomb! - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Noodles - May 17 - 7:20 pm

  Ive owned this car for almost 4 years. In town and on the road its been nothing but comfortable, reliable, smart-looking and eye-catching. Ive had lots of compliments. Ive done regular maintenance and NEVER had a problem. For a 63 year old.....its the bomb. Some have thought I was driving a Lincoln. Go ahead and think I paid 40,000,,,,,I didnt even pay half that! Before I drove only Honda Accords.

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  Genes new car opinion - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Car Lover - May 17 - 6:00 am

  I have the forte ex model with the fuel economy package.Package has five speed automatic and silica tires smart alternator and electric power steering.First tank of gas was 38.37 mpg.This is one of the nicest compact cars i have ever driven and i am very impressed with the overall quality and fit and finish of this new kia product.Car handles well and is very quiet.I dont believe there is any other make car that has so many standard features at forte price point.Car has anti lock brakes traction control stability control satelite radio full air bag package,and many more features.If reliability is good on this new model which i believe it will be kia has a hit in the compact class.

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  Unexpected - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Mark - May 16 - 8:50 pm

  Just bought the car a week ago. It was a executive demo. It came with all the options. The car is very comfortable and the fuel economy is good for a car of this size. The onboard trip computer is telling me I am averaging almost 27 mpg on the highway. With mixed highway and local I am averaging almost 24 mpg. The trip computer is great, because I adjusted my driving habits to achieve the best mileage. My parents and grandparents saw it and they were just amazed.

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  2 years - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By jc - May 14 - 10:23 am

  I have had this vehicle for over 2 years and could not be more satisfied with its quality. It has a great towing capacity for its size, its rear wheel drive, and the interior is holding up great. The only down size is the gas mileage, but its worth the extra fuel cost to have such a great sturdy vehicle.

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  Great Sporty SUV - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Kim - May 14 - 3:16 am

  As a previous high end car owner, I tried a more reasonably priced car with a better warranty for my new car. I enjoy my Sportage so much,;rides well, lots of comfort items inside, and great on gas. I am very happy with this vehicle.

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  First time Kia owner - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Charles Xikes - May 12 - 9:53 am

  I was a little unsure when I bought my Sorento but it has turned out to be a very good vehicle. Since purchase we have only had a headlight adjusted, nothing else. Value, features, styling, fit. quality materials are all there for thousands less than most other comparable SUVs. I would not hesitate to buy another.

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  I Love my Sorento! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By tysmommy030502 - May 11 - 12:03 am

  I cant believe how impressed I am with my Kia Sorento. Its low priced, and I thought surely we were getting suckered, but after 6 months of driving it, and 3 long trips later, I am so pleased. You can fit 3 full-sized car seats in the backseat and theres room for all 3 to be hooked up to LATCH. And you can lock the windows, so 3 year olds cant throw stuff out while youre not looking. Side impact beams and side curtain airbags help my peace of mind as well, and when you really need to cram stuff in for a trip, this car (SUV, whatever) sure can take it. It will also hold 3 diaper bags, I double stroller and a regular umbrella stroller with no problem. AND theres a luggage rack too.

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  Best bang for the buck - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Spazzo - May 10 - 9:26 am

  I tried nearly all of the top 10 cross- over vehicles before purchasing the 2011 Sorento. I felt that the Sorento was by far the best overall value for the money and I still feel the same way after driving it for 3 months. I got the V6 EX AWD pretty much loaded, (NAV, voice activated controls, premium sound system, leather, ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, 3rd row seating) and to make a similarly equipped purchase from any other maker would have cost me nearly $10K more. Plenty of power, nice ride, comfortable interior, responsive handling, and very respectable mileage for a V6 AWD. Only time will test out the reliability but the best-in-class warranty should help with that

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  2007 Kia Rondo LX - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Tim - May 8 - 8:00 pm

  We traded a Buick minivan (2 yrs old), and couldnt be happier. No mechanical problems at all with this car. We love it. We have 8,000 miles on it. The only drawbacks are that it never gets the advertised hwy mileage (we only get 24-26 MPG tops), and the road noise is evident when on a bumpy highway/road. The features of this car were better than the traded vehicle (at half the price)--antilock AND stability control AND airbags all around. Feels very safe, and I really enjoy driving it. Cant go wrong at this price for a 7 seater! Will buy from KIA again.

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  Still rides like a charm - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Turbo - May 8 - 2:46 pm

  Well, I posted a review in July 11,2007. Well this car has exceeded all of my expectations thus far. I was a little apprehensive at first, about buying a car without much of a reported "track" record, however; I have not been disappointed. Since my purchase in 2006, I have had no problems whatsoever. I have performed all of my scheduled maintenance when due. I had 46,000+ miles on the standard Hankook Optimo 417 tires before replacing them. I bought the same tires because of the handling and ride that I got from them. This car sill rides like new and still gets plenty of comments from passers-by. The fuel mileage is quite good on the highway and not so good in the city. Great Car ;-}