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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  Awesome car - 2002 Kia Optima
  By PeterM - June 30 - 10:00 am

  had this car for over a year now, love the milage can go forever it seems with the gas light on. the only major problems ive had is the car lurches when im breaking sometimes and a sensor went out, had the sensor fixed but havent had the breaks checked yet. plenty of room in front and back, im 63 so that says something. dont care for the stock radio, doesnt bring in AM channels well, could get Milwaukee stations in, in MI with my Focus, cant with the Kia

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  My 2nd KIA - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Faith - June 29 - 7:30 pm

  I have 3,800 miles on my Sorento. Owned a Sportage a few years back and went back for another KIA after my Ford Explorer. The last tank of gas, city driving, 21 mpg accurate check. It is breaking in well because it is a 4WD. For my passengers, I wish the back seat had a bit more leg room. Most of the time I drive it alone anyway. I love the gray interior. The paint must be strong because it has been through 3 hail storms since I bought it. In appearance it is just like a Lexus SUV a couple years old. I love it. I drove many vehicles, of all brands, and the only thing that said "BUY ME" was my KIA Sorento. For traveling to my 2nd home in N. Iowa, the 4WD is a must. Great!

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  Buy American not Korean - 2007 Kia Optima
  By lwa57 - June 29 - 7:40 am

  Bought new. Rear brakes wore unevenly. Down to metal at only 25k miles. Taylor Kia of Boardman says brake pads are not covered by warranty. However, the rear passenger brake is dragging. They claim caliper is ok. Uneven wear between wheels, (3 mm and 0 mm left rear vs 7mm and 3 mm on right rear pads) shows excessive wear on the outside pads. Wear indicator is on the inside pad so damage to rotor can happen before indicator makes noise. The dragging brake explains the poor mileage and sluggish power. Previous posts show a couple rear brake issues. Hmm! KIA called me back and said they stand behind their mechanic. Not warranty issue. So my next car will not be a Kia! Buy American!

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  much better than expected - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Richard Henry - June 28 - 10:06 am

  Very powerful engine and good five speed automatic with manual option. Comfortable for seven and the most safety features of any van. Averaging 21 mpg on mixed driving. Great price and financing, compared to other vans.

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  KIA Spectra GSX : A Pleasant Surprise - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By EarlA - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a 2003 for my daughter, who was moving to Arizona. She flew out, but I drove the KIA, hatch loaded to the gills and a fully-stuffed roof carrier, 2500 miles from NJ to AZ, averaging 31 MPG at speeds of 70-80 MPH. Had to downshift a few times going over the Continental Divide, but generally the power was adequate. I think the 2003 model has more torque than the 2002. The car was comfortable, too. Only request would be for a little more "grunt" from the AM side of the AM/FM/CD player; max volume was overwhelmed by road noise at 70 MPH! The hatchback design is very versatile. Car has performed flawlessly so far.

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  Cant Stop Driving It! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By New Kia Owner - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Honestly when pricing the Kia I really dindt expect too much. But this car not only has everything (ex) but it drives just as good as SUVs costing 10- 20 thousand dollars more. I actually got the new 2005 EX 2 wheel drive and got it for much cheaper than what most are even paying. I walked out after tax an licencse for 21,000. The 05s have the new Shiftronic automatic which provides hours of fun for me. The feautures are endless, my parents have been checking them out for some time and actually like it more than their Mercedes ML 500. The gas mileage is also much better with the new automatic system, I am getting 18 city and 23 hwy right now in mine. Thats

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  Proud Kia Owner - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Max Value - June 25 - 10:00 am

  If your looking at SUVs check this ride out. I was nervous about the name, but after driving the 2005 Kia EX it was a done deal. They give you everything as far as options go. It feels and drives like a luxury SUV, very similar to the Lexus and Acura SUV models in appearence and performance. The V6 feels great. The fuel really isnt that bad considering the 5 star frame weight and the size of the vehicle, much bigger than you would think. Plus the shiftronic is so fun to drive, you get the 5 speed automatic with the 05 models, very nice, and better milage too. I got the new aqua blue, really looks great, it catches a lot of eyes. I traded my 4runner for it and wish I would have earlier!

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  2012 AWD Kia Sorento 4 Cyl - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By dwendt - June 21 - 8:30 pm

  Just got my 2012 AWD Kia Sorento LX with GDI engine and love it. I purchased it at Towne Kia, in Denville, NJ, based on a recommendation of a fellow Kia owner. The final purchase price with tax, title taxs etc. was still less than the MSRP of the car so I was very happy. The car is everything I expected andd more, nice pickup, great turning. I looking forwaard to my first long drive.

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  2011 Kia Sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Brooke Creekmore - June 21 - 12:30 pm

  Too new to rate reliability. purchased vehicle 01/18/10 so far its been great. I think the interior is nice, love having the Sirrus radio,bluetooth. I think its a good looking vehicle. The ride is pretty smooth, but i agree with other poster could have put better tires.

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  good ride - 2011 Kia Forte
  By cdog77 - June 19 - 3:17 pm

  Had it for 8 months now and made 6 road trips and love the comfort and mileage. Would definitely suggest it to anyone.