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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  afte 9 months and 10,000 miles - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By benigo - October 12 - 11:10 pm

  Driver comfort, interior appointments,dealer service, sound system, electronic info display, all excellent.

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  KIA = GARBAGE - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By efw904 - October 12 - 10:43 am

  This vehicle has had more issues than I know what to do with. Mostly electrical problems. It has been to the dealer for A/C issues 3 times. Eventually having the entire dashboard ripped out and a new harness put in. I have to buy headlights and taillights all the time. So bad that I keep a spare set in the car at all times. It experiences loss of power all the time and the transmission does not engage when in reverse sometimes. The car has had all maintenance done on or before its due. Factory radio also died right after buying it. Service departments are are the worst. Above all the resale value is absolutely horrible. If you buy one, enjoy it b/c you will be stuck with it. Absolute garbage

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  So Sad Sedona - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By familyof7 - October 12 - 5:53 am

  We bought the Sedona with only 14 miles on it hoping it would be a vehicle to depend on should my husband ever get deployed. Lo and behold I was moving home from NC to UT and it died at highway speeds just before Albuquerque NM. Weird I thought for a van that only has 17000 miles on it. Turned off the key turned it back on drove a mile or two and again...it died. I about got hit by several semi trucks that travel the I-40 west. This is not a reliable vehicle. It was towed three times before they found the problem and that was because we sat at the dealership and told them how to fix it. They replaced four blown fuses, fixed a throttle cable recall, and ended up replacing computer.

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  In love! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By JSTARK - October 12 - 5:43 am

  My husband & I are madly in love w/ this vehicle! We looked for 6 mths before we were ready to purchase & it was between the sorento, equinox & hyundi tuscon(santa fe is actually same sz as sorento but starting price much higher)The standard features w/ the sorento are bar none. And safty features sold me. I was really worried about going from a v6 to a 4, but it wasnt as big a change as i thought it would be. a couple minor negatives: mp3 transmitter is almost worthless, (it worked fine in my escape), Bluetooth chic rarely understands call- name requests, & we are pretty disappointed in the gas milage, which is entire reason we downgraded to a 4 cylinder.

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  Built on Monday after beer blitz? - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By BBBBombshell - October 11 - 11:53 pm

  This car is my 2nd Kia. The car is fun to drive and has actually held up pretty well for a car of its price range. However, this baby was in the shop 8 times for a throttle problem. The first 7 times they said the problem was the throttle positioning sensor and it was replaced, reset etc. We were fairly irate because they would reset the sensor and it would be fine for about 3 weeks then it would have no power at all and I was getting 14 mpg - yep I said 14! Finally, they changed the whole throttle body and components. We also lost a bolt out of the flywheel, and they had to remove a chunk of foam from the back door so we could roll down the window.Tomorrow I am buying a Ford! Seriously!

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  Best car for the money in a long time - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Elmo - October 11 - 7:36 pm

  I am 60 and cars have always been a hobby of mine. I decided to trade in my HHR due to rusting and other problems. I have looked at many cars and drove several and I like this car over the camry and accord, witch cost 10000 more comparably equipped. I chose the SX 4cyl model and so far I am totally delighted. Who knows what the future brings but so far excellent! I never thought I would buy a Kia but, I have to say they have come a long way.

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  Better off with a pedal bike - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Bruceryan - October 11 - 8:40 am

  At 49,000 miles the engine is still running (barely) but none of the 4 windows work, A/C has gone warm, cup holder broken, engine makes a lot of noise, and just about everything plastic on the interior is on the verge of breaking. This car is built too cheaply, its not even worth the cheap price tag. Ive only had the thing for two years and I take care of my vehicles. I would have been better off buying a pedal bike.

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  I Love It! - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By Love It! - October 11 - 7:10 am

  I have owned quite a few different cars. I bought my KIA from a used car dealership the 1st of February. It only had 86,000 miles on it. I love this car. I have not had any problems with it. It has some minor hail damage but all in all, it looks and runs great. I am a mother of three teenage children so a lot of horse power in a vehicle is not necessary for me. My children and I both love this car.

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  Best bye buck for buck - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Richard Knowles - October 9 - 2:36 am

  I think Kia went the extra mile on there Sedona. Every avalable space inside has a purpose with three glove compartments and a safe, cup holders ,C D holder,etc.With the V6- 5 speed this van has plenty of power.Handles very well in the snow and has a passing gear at 60 miles per hour that you still have power to pass on the highway.The only thing Kia could do better for this van is to inprove the gas mileage.

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  Way More than what I expected - 2013 Kia Optima
  By 1powerfullady - October 8 - 8:41 pm

  I absolutely love car. I must say that this was more than what I bargained for. I do a happy dance every time I get in my baby!