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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  Sorento Ex - A Pleasant Surprise - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By ljerralds - July 26 - 10:00 am

  My experience with the Sorento was definitely a nice surprise. It handles well, the drive is great. It is like driving a car. The ride is not rugged. I have not had any problems so far. You get a lot of vehicle for the price. This is my 3rd Kia vehicle. Kia has one of the best warranties.

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  Kia Sorento EX An Unbelievable Value - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Doug Seaman - July 26 - 12:13 am

  This vehicle will take over many other top selling SUVs as its reputation gains credibility. When my wife said we WERE going to look at a Sorento I LAUGHED. I went along for the ride and was impressed. We also looked at Lexus, Trailblazer, Hyundai Tucson & Buick. Kia Sorento won hands down!

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  Great Affordable Commuter Vehicle - 2009 Kia Rio
  By student05 - July 25 - 10:33 am

  I bought this car a month ago and so far my experience with it has been great. I am a commuting college student so I was looking for something that was affordable and had good gas mileage. As far as performance goes I havent had any problems with acceleration and it handles fairly well. The interior of the vehicle is nice looking and doesnt feel cheap. One of my favorite features is the stereo system. I had installed an aftermarket system in my previous vehicle and was thinking of doing the same with this car. After listening to it though I think I have changed my mind because it sounds great for a factory system. Also, the AUX and USB inputs are great for MP3 players.

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  Awesome Optima LX - 2008 Kia Optima
  By ex_green_beret - July 25 - 9:04 am

  Ive had my 08 Kia Optima LX for nearly 3 years, I bought it new when gas went to $4/gal back in 08. I got rid of my Hemi Ram and bought the Kia thinking Id keep it for a little while and trade up later. It now has 107,000 miles on it and has proven itself an EXTREMELY reliable little car. Ive done nothing to it except change the oil and filter religiously every 5k miles, had one brake job done at 75k miles, replaced the battery at about 60k miles, put on a set of new tires at 72k miles (I put on Kumho KH16s since thats what it came with), and flush/fill the radiator every 45k miles. I did almost all the maintenance myself. ITS THE MOST RELIABLE CAR IVE EVER OWNED and I love it!

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  My best car yet. - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By williametc - July 24 - 4:42 pm

  I bought this car certified pre owned in august of 2009 and I loved everything about it. I bought it to replace my 99 GMC jimmy which honestly, I drove to hell and back. The spectra went right along with me as well; it was reliable, comfortable, and quick. Albeit, I only owned this car for a little over a year not once did anything go wrong with it. I am a 20 something guy, you can imagine how I drove this car and it held up every mile. It held all of my friend comfortably and the sound system was plenty loud enough for even myself. When someone eventually plowed right into me I came out only jostled and a few bruises, the car held up a lot better than you would think a KIA would.

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  My New Toy - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By C E Camacho - July 22 - 7:26 pm

  The Sorento was the last SUV in my list of cars I was contemplating buying. It fell right within my budget, and once I test drove it, I knew it would be the SUV Id be buying. I also spoke to a mechanic friend of mind who sold me on the Sorentos reliability and good looks. This is my first SUV and love the handling and security it gives me once inside.

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  KIA Spec V - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By KIA Spectra 5 - July 21 - 5:40 am

  First, this car has been great to drive. Ive had one big issue with the car and its due to the ground effects on the vehicle. The ground effects are too low for my area in Wyoming. I only have 1200 miles and Im going to have to replace the ground effects. Ive contacted KIA and the regional manager wont replace the part which is going to cost 365. I think they should reconsider this because the car hasnt been driven abusively or in any manner of the performance range of this type of vehicle. Ive owned many cars and truly take car of them explicitly. This is the first KIA Ive owned and I hate that a cosmetic part of the car is taking away from the experience of owning this KIA.

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  BEST CAR EVER - 2010 Kia Soul
  By ADIZ - July 21 - 5:06 am

  I went looking for a new car for me and my dad and i took one look at the soul and fell in love with it. It will be my first car ever and very happy about the low price. VEry comfortable in side and does not make any sound on the highway the people that said it did are crazy. When i got it every girl in my school came and looked at it. they all wanted a ride. Best car for teen and people that want a party car!!

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  First Kia - 2003 Kia Rio
  By DN1964 - July 20 - 10:00 am

  This car replaced my Metro, which Ive had since 1993 and had 119k miles. When I heard the price at which they were selling these cars, I couldnt pass it up. $6885 TOTAL!!! It is a pleasure to drive and the paint job is great. Considering price, warrenty (10 yr/100k) and looks, you cant beat it. Ive only had one minor problem. Front wheel bearing was leaking and is being replaced by the dealer. The dealership is outstanding. Their service and committment to custer service is first rate! I find this car to be quite quite (compared to the Metro) and is not even in the same class as the Metro.

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  LEMON ON WHEELS - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By KPLIN - July 20 - 10:00 am

  My very first new car and I had to buy this one. It spends more time in the shop then in my driveway. Rotors bad, over and over, rear shot, windows dont work, oil leaks, 4wheel drive broken - twice and the list continues. Wouldnt recommend this car to my enemy. All it needs is a picture of a lemon put on the side and it would be perfect. Resale value dropped so bad, I cant even afford to get rid of the darn thing. No wonder its discontinued.