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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  What A Buy and Great Car!! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Tom - October 8 - 7:06 pm

  We just purchased out Kia Sorento and WOW!, do you we love it. We traded in our 2002 Honda Accord EX and dont miss it at all. The ride to us is equal to the Honda and no rattles, etc. yet to be heard. Great warranty and we hope to keep this one a few years.

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  Spectra - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By KIA - October 8 - 7:23 am

  I bought my Spectra, new. The gas mileage is great! I usually get 26 mpg around town; 39 mgp highway. Its the perfect car for around town, but a little small for interstate driving. It has great pick up and handles turns well.

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  Outstanding Van for an Outstanding Price - 2008 Kia Sedona
  By GVGiant - October 8 - 12:03 am

  I purchased the Sedona mostly because of price - it already was at the top end of what I could afford. But having at least comparison shopped the other vans, and having driven it now for a few months, you will not do better at any price. The look of the new Chrysler is downright repulsive, and you have to spend thousands of dollars extra to get the only competitive powertrain of the bunch. The Toyota is priced hopelessly high, the Nissan has given too many people trouble, and our local Honda dealers do not have good reputations. But even without all of that, there is nothing this van lacks. It gets far better mileage than my last one as well. Maybe THE best value in the industry.

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  Not worth the money - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Beach_Baby - October 6 - 4:53 pm

  Of course a new van is gonna be nice and not have problems, but after a year the transmission was making noise and not performing well. Than 4 years later, the power steering pumb and something else is out, tranny is bad and motor acts up. Only has 32,xxx miles and should be running great! It doesnt. It was the main transportation for my handicap grandmother, who now has to relay on finding other people to take her places like her doctors apt! The van sits in the street broke down, and we still owe $3,000 on it. Cant trade it in, cause we owe more than its worth. Quilfys for a Clunker, but we ow money. So we are stuck with this piece of junk KIA. Never get another one!

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  2008 Kia Amanti - 2008 Kia Amanti
  By Fred Wood - October 6 - 2:53 pm

  Excellent car, outstanding build quality. Feels and rides with luxury approach. Styling is different and elegant. Outstanding features for the price, I dont need navigation but Kia should put it in for those that want every option. Could have spent 5 grand more for a new Malibu V6 LTZ, but its just another tarted up car that has cheaper versions, an Amanti has it all.

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  Excellent Investment - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By TRULYDOROTHY - October 5 - 1:23 pm

  Great performance. Reasonable gas mileage. A lot of vehicle for the money. Good secure feeling brakes. Hugs curves well. Excellently designed with passengers in mind.

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  an optimal automobile - 2015 Kia Optima
  By arubin - October 5 - 7:26 am

  Traded in my 2012 optima ex turbo, for a 2015 kia optima sx turbo.The 2012 was a very reliable and fun to drive car.The 2015 is quieter, rides smoother,handles a little better, better stereo, and nicer dash board.Sportier and great steering wheel.All and all Kia made a very good car even better, and the value is amazing.

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  I would never buy another new car... - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By TParker602 - October 4 - 7:06 pm

  I work around some of the most exotic automobiles in the industry, and I can honestly say I get excited every time I climb in my 06 Kia Sorento. With a value package which includes more standard features than any of the competition, quality ratings handed down from Kias parent company - up and coming Hyundai, an unheard of 60K mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, industry leading 100K mile powertrain warranty, unique styling dubbing the Sorento as the "baby Lexus RX 300", and a price that will turn your head ... buyers remorse is a thing of the past. I love the fact that you dont see too many Sorentos on the road. Everyone keeps asking me what it is, or thinks Im driving an exotic!

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  Back to back Borregos - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By JR - October 4 - 6:45 am

  I have the distinct pleasure of being on my second Borrego. The first was a brand new, off-the-lot EX V6 4x2, and the second, and current, is a used EX Limited V8 4x4. Fell in love with my first Borregos excellent freeway manners, stability at any speed, and feature-laden and cavernous interior. Although the 4x2 was tow rated for 5,000 lbs., we wanted something stronger to pull a heavy RV trailer. When we learned that that the V8 Borrego was tow-rated at 7,500 lbs., which is huge for its class, we searched around and bought one from a nearby private seller. It hasnt disappointed as a tow vehicle. Ironically, the V6 felt peppier and smoother. But Im happy with the V8s torque and go-anywhere confidence of the full-time 4x4 system. Im only sorry that Kia discontinued the Borrego as I would loved to made a three-peat. On both Borregos, I appreciated the interior volume, standard adult sized third row seating, easy to use navigation system, no fuss dashboard and HVAC controls and layout, and just simple reliability all around. It will be a sad day when I have to part with my current Borrego.

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  Nearly Perfect!! Great SUV witha few minor flaws. - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By b.urban@outlook.com - October 4 - 12:36 am

  The value the Sorento offers is amazing. You really get a lot for the money when buying. However the biggest problem with KIA is the resale. We bought ours one year old with 20 thousand miles on it. It already took the big deprecation hit. A new highlander or pilot will be much better if you buy new and plan on selling in a few years. They also cost more out of the box. We have no intention on selling so resale isnt a big concern to us. First Ill start with the engine. It is plenty powerful. We live in the south so we got the front wheel drive model. It really is overpowered for the front wheels. If it kicks down a few gears it will torque steer. Fuel mileage has been as expected. We average 23mpg between a mix of city and highway. One of my biggest gripes are the brakes. When I am doing a lot of city driving the brakes do start to fade in stop and go situations. I can noticeably feel the pedal travel get further. Kia should have gave it a little bigger brakes from the factory. The other gripe I have it the seat material. Ours has cloth seats and the material just isnt great. I do not believe it will hold up great over the next 5 or so years. Time will tell. Other than those gripes which are minor to me the Sorento is a great SUV. I tow a trailer which weighs about 2500 pounds and it takes it just fine. It is comfortable and easy to drive for extended periods. The third row is usable. The highlander and pilot had more third row room but the Sorentos third row is fine and usable for children or small adults. Im 58 and I can sit back there fine. Anything over 510 or so is going to run out of head room. With the third row up there is very little room for storage. Overall I am very happy and my wife and I love it. Very glad we chose the Sorento.