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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  safety - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Margie - November 23 - 2:00 am

  I only had my Kia for 2-1/2 weeks before I was involved in a head on collision with another driver. My car had extensive front end damage, it and has been totalled. It kept me and 3 kids safe, in spite of the fact that we were hit head on and shoved into two mailboxes that were cemented into the ground. I truly feel that our beautiful Kia saved our lives. The car is torn up, but it sure did its job!

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  Good Value - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By CLarsen - November 23 - 2:00 am

  The car drives well. I love the leather seats. The front console that folds down is wonderful. I wish the clock was positioned on the radio. It is akward to look up. This is our 2nd mini van and the first one with the 2nd sliding door. With 2 children in car seats it is vital. Difficult to get back to the rear seats. Back seats arent the easiest to remove. I like our Quest where the back seat can be slide up against the drivers seats better. Ive been getting a strange electronic sound. At first I thought it was the speakers, but Ive noticed it with the radio off.

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  kia gsx - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By darrell19712 - November 21 - 10:00 am

  added a power sunroof and keyless entry which makes this vehicle fun to drive and practical, actually quite a value for the dollars notwithstanding the extended warranty

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  Amanti-the auto worlds best kept secere - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By DBROWN - November 21 - 10:00 am

  It rides and handles like a Lincoln TC should. 5 speed trans works well with the 200hp engine and accelerates as well as my previous car..Chrysler 300M that was rated at 250hp. Comfortable..lots of rear leg room...great audio

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  my car - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By nancyk1974 - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love the quiet ride. The vehicle handles well.

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  poor mans lexus - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By yankeewhaler - November 21 - 10:00 am

  it looks like an rx300, inside and out, the ex luxury pkg and antilock brakes are a must..this gives you leather and awd,,ive been getting 22 mpg highway..thats maybe 1to2 mpg less than the lexus.but i paid 10,000 less...Nothing has gone wrong.only little gripe.stereo needs more power(its good, just needs a larger amp)and the steering wheel audio control needs a volume control.Did well in last winters snow..love my car...........

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  Great Value in Luxury - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Jeff - November 21 - 7:16 am

  The Amanti is loaded with features and is luxurious with a minimal investment. Fun and comfortable to drive, we absolutely love this car. It fits our entire family comfortably and is great on long trips with lots of cargo space in the trunk. I also am impressed with the safety features like the 8 air bags and antilock brakes.

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  Solid SUV with nagging issues - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Jesse - November 20 - 5:56 pm

  Have put 45,000 miles on my 2007 Sportage. Has been very reliable aside from nagging "ESC OFF" issue. The "ESC OFF" illuminates on the dash due to a faulty "brake switch" as defined by a Kia recall for several of its models. I have had to have this replaced three times now (under warranty). Aside from that, brakes wore out after only 35000 miles and had to be replaced ($459). Cheap OEM Bridgestones tires needed to be replaced after 27,000 miles. Put Michelin Hydroedge tires on and it rides much better. Service at 60,000 miles will be costly as well. Averaging 22 mpg in mostly highway driving. Vehicle has been excellent in snow and slippery conditions and has excellent cargo space.

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  Fit for a Princess! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Princess in Miss. - November 20 - 7:30 am

  This is truly a very nice SUV worth much, much more than what we paid for it. Eveyone comments on how it looks like the new Lexus SUVs. My husband purchased it for me as a Christmas gift. It is so comfortable to drive and easy to handle. I thought it would be a little hard to manage but it rides very well. If you are thinking about buying one - do it! You will not be disappointed.

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  great bang for the buck - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By jim - November 19 - 1:28 pm

  cant buy a better mid-size suv for the money