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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  Great vehicle at a reasonable price - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By drallen - March 28 - 6:50 am

  This is a really great vehicle at a great price. Bought the V8 engine and love it..read some complaints on the 6 cylinder and since I tow a boat I wanted the V8 with the 6 speed transmission...works great and almost the same mileage as the 6 cylinder engine...Its a real joy to drive and love the 100,000 mile 10 year power train warranty!! Just got it a week ago so cant speak for reliability so far, but fun to drive...great quality vehicle at a low price..(KIA is giving $3,000.00 off right now) its really a no brainer...almost bought a Honda Pilot but this is a much better vehicle at a much lower price.

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  Beautiful Car Excellent Value - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By mstee - March 25 - 10:00 am

  My car is outstanding. I have been stopped a red lights, gas stations and shopping, with people saying how beautiful my car is and asking what is it. Many time I have been asked if it was a Benz or Jag.

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  Great van for the money - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By SoCalSedona - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased our Sedona EX. No leather, but did get the moonroof. Lots of interior room, fits in the garage, perfect for our family of four, sports and school bags, wetsuits, surfboards, groceries, etc. $200 portable 7" DVD player from Costco works just fine, no need to spend $1200 for a factory-installed system. Nice, solid feel to it, strong engine, shifts smoothly, captains chairs with armrests are great, factory tinted windows, pop out rear windows, reclining seats, etc.

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  love my sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By SUSAN CLOPPER - March 24 - 2:00 am

  This is the most comfortable vehicle i have ever owned. I switched from being a long time Chrysler owner and I believe the Kia Sorento to be far superior in quality. The interior is well thought out (everything is easy to get to for the driver) It is solidly built. I love the sound system and cruise control in the steering wheel. Myonly complaint is the mediocre fuel economy. I get around 16 mpg. I understand the weight is a factor.

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  One great SUV - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Byron Erickson - March 24 - 2:00 am

  If you are interested in a true SUV look at the Kia Sorento. This is not a "crossover" but a vehicle capable of real off-road fun. I have had mine for a year now and have never had a problem with it. It is a good looking SUV and often mistaken for one that costs much more.

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  Impressed by this little car! - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Joel Dziak - March 22 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car as a price point issue. Little did I know what I was actually getting! It had plenty of zip under the hood and handled quite well! I was impressed most however when I recently had a very bad accident in my car. I Had a car pull out in front of me while I was traveling at 70 mph. I broadsided the car and suffered no more than a concussion and whiplash!. This car held up great! the passenger compartment was left fully intact. Well done!

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  Very Solid Car - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By SH - March 18 - 6:56 pm

  This was my first Kia, I had known a lot about Kia before, and was waiting for the lease on the current vehicle at the time to run out. When it did, I went straight to the dealership. It was February, and it was COLD (Michigan) so I took the red EX on the showroom floor with a spoiler. It was an 06 model. It was a great car, loved the gas mileage, and very comfy. Handled the snowy icy roads surprisingly well, got many good looks. Couldnt believe the power for a 4 cyl! Took it to Florida a year later (3,000 mile round trip) and drove mostly 90 all the way there and back, the spedometer doesnt lie, it goes 140!! It was very solid, very little wind noise. Faster you go, the less wind noise.

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  Great Van - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By TE - March 17 - 4:03 pm

  We bought the Kia in July and really love it. It is so much more comfortable than our Ford Windstar as well as my daughters Venture and another relatives Dodge Grand Caravan. We also got features that would have cost $6,000 to $8,000 more with a Honda or Toyota. Mileage overall has been running from 20 to 22 mpg. I have back trouble and really suffered on trips with the Windstar but have not had any back problems with the Kia. So far, we couldnt be more pleased. Our only problem is learning how to work all the features and gadgets. It has so many features, you need a week class to learn everything.

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  Love the Amanti! - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Herb - March 17 - 8:30 am

  We have had the car for 9 months and love everything about it at the price. Granted fuel economy could be better but we are averaging 19.5 mpg in town and 23 mpg on the highway. Dollar for dollar, it is hard to beat this car.

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  A Fun and Fit Vehicle - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Jerry, Jacksonville - March 17 - 3:03 am

  This 2005 Sportage is a great small SUV with BIG car feel. It sits and rides comfortably, with a great view of the road. All controls are easy to use and within easy reach. While I cannot yet speak for reliability since my Sportage is only 3200 miles old, I feel that I have an excellent warranty should I ever need to use it. The roadside assistance program is great. I have already had occasion to use it and the response was prompt. The responder did minor damage to open the door, but after some hassles, they reimbursed me for my expenses for repairs. I I think it is best bang for your buck in the small SUV range and I plan to buy another if I ever have the need