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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  I plan to buy this car - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By DENEASE WILLIAMS - February 14 - 10:00 am

  I rented this car and loved it. Overall, I love it. I researched it and found some hundred miles from me, however, I will check them out and probably purchase one if the deal is real.

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  Kia has got me!! - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Jackie T - February 14 - 1:23 am

  I just purchased a 2005 Kia Optima after trading in my 2004 Kia Optima. I love the V6 power because i had the 4 cylinder previously. This car has got damn near everything i want in a vehicle.

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  Love hate relationship - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By wmscott - February 12 - 12:20 pm

  Bought this car for the wife. We both love the car. The fit finish and comfort are great. The gas mileage is terrible. The cost of maintaining the car has been far too high. I seem to have to buy several new headlights a year at around $80 a pop. Just had the mandatory 60K service and the tab was $1,300. Replaced the timing belt as recommended. The belt had zero sign of wear on it and will not do it again at 120K if we still have it. They will make you buy a new hydraulic tensioner when they do the job. They charge me $189 for that very simple device. Overall cost of maintenance is out of control and my make me shy away from another KIA in the future. Transaxle had to be replaced at 39K.

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  2006 Rio LX Automatic - 2006 Kia Rio
  By hunternicholas - February 12 - 5:56 am

  Kia did a great job with this all new car, buy with confidence. I was amazed how the big name brands are building unsatisfactory cars, and cheating on the number of side air bags if they offer them at all. Dont trust a salesman here, check the fine print to see if they include a torso and head curtain air bags. You HAVE to HAVE both! The Kia Rio has both the torso and head curtain side air bags. Dont confuse these with frontal air bags. The build quality of my car is excellent. The power is excellent. I neednt press more than 1/8 on the pedal and the car moves right along just fine--that from an old gearhead. There are too many nice features to list. The gas mileage is excellent!

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  Fun Car to Drive and Easy to Maintain. - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By mikesay22 - February 11 - 1:02 pm

  I bought this car as a third owner in 2011 with 138000 miles. The car was poorly maintained. Thats what I got for the price I bought it for. But I am so glad I bought this car. I had to change the brakes and tires, some bulbs, oil change, and I had to change the spark plugs. The car started running like new. I had no major problems with the car, just maintenance. I had my check engine light on for a couple of months but later on I found out it was because of a faulty throttle position sensor which was easy to change. After that, the check engine light went away till this day. I had a A/C leak but I managed to find the leak and fixed it myself.

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  Going to buy another one, new 2008? - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Charles - February 10 - 7:43 am

  We are presently considering buying another Sorento. A new 2008. There is nothing wrong with our 2004 that we bought new. It has been a trouble free vehicle. It has far exceeded our expectations compared to many other SUVs we have owned. It is my wifes vehicle. Biggest problem I have trying to convince her to get a new one is that she is in love with this one. Every time Kia sends me the big discount offer and owner loyalty offer, and I start talking to her about getting a new one, she tears up. "But I like this one!"

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  Nice Price...Less Problems - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Three Boys One Van - February 10 - 2:00 am

  We traded our Gr. Caravan for the EX. I enjoy the 5 speed transmission! It is a relief not to hear the whine of our old Caravans 3.3L, 4-speed going up and down the appalachian mountains around here. Kia has a real winner. Ive owned GM and Dodge and neither cruise control would maintain consistent speeds up and down these hills. The Sedona powers up and down without a hitch. My wife loves the loaded interior and our boys love all the neat compartments. No real complaints so far.

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  ABOUT TIME - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By BOBERTSSORENTO - February 10 - 2:00 am

  WOW IT WAS A LONG WAIT, BUT FINALLY A WELL MADE VEHICLE AND A LONG WARRANTY, AND A GREAT PRICE.... AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS SUPER GREAT, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE SALE... THANKS KIA AND PHIL LONG KIA OF CHAPEL HILLSSSSS

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  The V-6 is the way to go - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By andrewm1 - February 9 - 10:07 pm

  I actually bought a 2011 4 cylinder Kia Sorento back in March 2011.The engine was to slugglish and was somewhat dissapointing.I traded it in a bought a 2012 6 cylinder this past December and am much happier now.The V6 276 horses are fantastic and it does not strain the engine.The ride is quiet and smooth.Absolutely NO body lean in sharper turns,unlike the old school SUVs from the 1990s where every turn felt like a potential rollover.Leg and headroom are great.Climate control is superb.Gas mileage takes a hit from the AWD but on the highway,I still get over 20 MPG,less in city driving.(NYC is tough on MPG for all cars period)

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  Disappointed with Vehicle & Kia Service - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By SCLI - February 9 - 6:40 pm

  Purchase W/ 16,300 miles & Kia 2nd owner warranty. (60,000 mis) Within weeks the Sorento begins to hesitate & lose power while maintaining 70 mph on the interstate. Later while night driving I the headlights Dim & nearly going out, plus ALL the Idiot lights on the dash come on. Car nearly stalls. Problems were intermittent at 1st but became common in coming months. I took the SUV to the local Kia dealership where they examined it for 4 days. They told me the Lights Dimming was normal and to downshift with the Semi Manual shifter when the car hesitates. If dash boards lighting up, headlights going out and losing power is normal for a 07 Kia Sorento, with low miles then I want no part of it.