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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  KIA - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Dave61 - September 28 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased a new KIA Two weeks ago. I took it on a trip up to Reno NV and It preformed wonderful in every respect. It had plenty of power for the many hills. Everything worked perfect.

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  Very happy!!! - 2011 Kia Optima
  By donnie71281 - September 28 - 4:36 am

  I test drove the 2011 Honda Accord EX-L V6 same day and the only reason i gave this car a second look is because of the exterior and the 2.0 turbo engine. As soon as i saw the fit and finish of the interior i was sold. I took the car for the test drive and i was in love. The accord was very nice too, but i didnt fall in love with it like this. The 2.0 turbo is fantastic. Has more horse power than the 5.2L V8 i used to drive. I couldnt be more pleased with this car. Only options i didnt get was Nav. and Moon roof. Put 100 miles on the car today and getting 21 in the city and 33 on freeway. With all the hills in WV im more than please. Will update more as time goes on.

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  Our 3rd Sorento-outstanding features for the price - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Don - September 24 - 8:41 pm

  Our first Sorento was an LX back in 2012 then we traded for a 2014 EX V6 and just last week traded that one for a 2017 Limited. The wife loves the fact that the Sorento can be outfitted with 3rd row seats and I love the features for the price, notwithstanding great dealer support and warranty. Our previous Sorentos have always been dependable. I almost traded our 2014 for the 2016 but it was the 1st year of the re-tooling and dealers were getting MSRP pricing plus it didnt have auto braking with the front collision warning system. Our dealer had a great price on a brand new 2017 limited and we traded. I chose the limited for several reasons: to get some of the same features our 2014 EX had (such as ventilated front seats) we had to go to the limited trim. But I also liked all the other features the limited offered so we chose this trim level. You cant get any additional options on this trim level as they are all included, except for any extra dealer options (like a cargo net, mats, etc). There are a number of great features on this car. To begin with, the sound deadening glass and underbody makes for a really quite highway ride. The interior redesign is very functional. The power seat on drivers side has many new features on lumbar support and leg extension support at front of seat. The LCD display and Navigation/Audio/Bluetooth/Climate displays are much more user friendly. It seems there are on-screen prompts to almost all functions to help you. The audio system is outstanding. The menu choices have been broadened and are extensive: you can download Yelp, Pandora is included, SirusXM Traffic, Apple Car Play and Android Auto just to mention a few. You still have the UVO system (download POIs you create on your own Smartphone or PC and Parking Minder). We love the new Android Auto. You hook up your phone via USB and you basically have Google maps and voice support at your command via the cars system. The Lane change warning is a nice feature. You still have Blind Spot monitor which we loved on our 2014. Adaptive Cruise control is really neat. You set your cruise speed and if you come up on a slower vehicle your vehicle automatically adjusts its speed to the vehicle ahead until you move out of the lane and pass which time your car goes back to the speed you originally set. The surround view cameras give you front views, backup camera with obstacle warning and cameras on underside of each outside mirror give a computer generated image of a birds eye view of your car. This is nice when parking in a tight space you can see on the screen how you are fitting between two cars or other obstacles. There is an electric parking brake on the Limited which automatically releases as you drive forward. There is also a feature called Auto Hold which when activated allows you to take your foot off the brake when waiting in a line of cars at a light or a stop sign. Once you come to a complete stop the "auto hold" holds your car just as if you have your foot on the brake, but you can relax your foot and as you step on the accelerator to move forward it automatically releases (part of the electric parking brake system). The full ceiling panorama roof remains a great feature. And of course with the 2017 model you have auto braking in advance of a frontal collision situation. Havent tested out that yet as no way to really simulate it in a situation without risking it not "seeing" the potential frontal crash. You also have 1 USB connection port and 2 additional USB charging ports as well as 3 12v ports and one 110v port. Sunshades are on the 2nd row windows, the V6 is the only engine to go with in my opinion, and in the Limited you have heated/cooled front seats and heated 2nd row seats as well as a heated steering wheel. Yes I know that is a lot of features which some are just luxury items, but at $46,000 MSRP with most dealers discounting off that, you would be hard pressed to find another vehicle with V6 and 3rd row seats with all those features at such a good price.

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  6 Months and Counting - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By tomahawk95 - September 23 - 3:37 am

  I have had the Sorento for 6 months and about 9000 miles and most all is well. The DVD player and back-up camera sometimes has given us issues and the Navigation System is complex, but I still grade the vehicle out very high. I am 62"/275 and I am very comfortable when driving. The Sorento has great gas mileage (hwy 24+/city 18+). We have 4 kids (11,9,5,3) and they have plenty of room. When buying it came down to the Sorento and the Traverse and though the Traverse has a larger cargo area when the third row is in use the Traverses fuel economy was lower and price was higher. I will post more results in the future.

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  kia works great - 2004 Kia Optima
  By jjfromatlanta - September 22 - 2:00 am

  i bought this car because i commute 250 miles a day and wanted something with a warranty that would last the longest. the car is very comfortable and and good highway cruiser. its got the necessary power when i need it. i just wish it got a little better gas mileage. other than that i think its a very nice car. ive had the car for 6 months and have put over 26k miles so far with no problems!

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  This SUV is AWESOME!! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Mac - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I was in the market for a car when a friend of mine suggested that I try the Sorento. I was so glad I did!! This SUV is as awesome as the title says. This venicle has been off-road and on the city streets of Chicago. If any of you know about the highways in Chicago, you know theyre almost as bad as going off-road. However, Ive hit potholes, roadkill, branches, DEEP standing water (thats really cool), curbs, etc. and theres absolutely no rattling in the car. NONE!! Ive got close to 23,000 miles on my EX and except for the gas mileage, Ive found nothing wrong with it!

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  Kia Sorrento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By mahan228 - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I love my Sorrento! I have not had one ounce of problems since purchase. This is my second Kia to own. I loved my Optima and hated to part with it when I did. But, I love the space and the ride in my Sorrento!

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  Sedona - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Lee Hughes - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Definitely the best buy for the features offered! Comfortable ride, spacious, versatile!

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  Excellent - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Irvin - September 20 - 12:16 pm

  We own a EX 2x2 purchased in July of 2003. I was initially afraid to buy a Kia. I took a test drive, studied the long list of standard equipment (even a full sized alloy mag spare), then purchased our first Kia. A comparably equipped Nissan/Toyota is $8,000 more. I was impressed with the engine smoothness & quietness at highway speeds. I believe the engine horsepower is under rated by at least 30HP. This SUV weighs over 4100lbs and stills merges with California freeway traffic (70-75 mph) with ease. Ive only had one problem, a small rattle in a door, that was fixed in the first month. The styling, reliability and long list of outstanding features make this SUV the best buy on the planet.

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  Lots of Bang, Little on Bucks - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Budman24/7 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, easy to own. Alot of truck for a little bit of money!