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:

• 

  Save Yourself the Trouble - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Marissa - August 1 - 8:43 am

  Although I was initially pleased with my Kia, the last 8 months have been a nightmare. The vehicle had a series of unrepairable problems including the fuel pump, the passenger airbag indicator, and a stalling malfunction. After contacting the attorney general, my dozen phone calls to Kia Motors were returned. Needless to say, it has been deemed a lemon and will be repurchased. Even if the car was not a lemon, I would never purchase another Kia based on their less than adequate customer service.

• 

  Excellent Value - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Marty - July 31 - 5:23 pm

  I purchased this after looking at the competition. Nothing else in this price range (21,000) can come close. Sorry, but it just would not happen. I was very leery about purchasing a KIA and if not for the warranty I would not have considered this car. I actually have to say, that so far it has been just perfect. I have 5,000 miles now, and everything seems to be in place. The only possible complaint is that the dealer did not properly remove all the protective plastic properly. MPG seems to be a little better now that the engine has broken in. I think I am managing about 20 - 21 mpg on average now. I am still impressed with the performance and power of this vehicle and I am very happy so far

• 

  Loving my Kia!! - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Riya - July 31 - 11:06 am

  I did a lot of searching and I narrowed it down to a Trailblazer, Sorento or Jeep Liberty. I am so satisfied with my decision!! This vehicle is awesome, the only complaint that I have is the seat belt sensor drives me crazy, it beeps non-stop until I put my seatbelt on! The gas mileage is decent for an SUV, but that could always be improved. I have plenty of space for myself and my 18-month old. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone!

• 

  Satisfied Customer - 2004 Kia Rio
  By BJD - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Dependable inexpensive transportation with versitility.

• 

  very dependable - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By lisaannbird - July 31 - 2:00 am

  van is ver practical stereo system quality is fair needs bigger wattage to roomy in side for sound

• 

  Sorrento - WOW! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Allan - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Great car, great deal, lots of extras for free. I checked and it is $5,000 cheaper than the nearest competition with the same options. WOW!

• 

  Simple Test - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By ka ka ka KIA! - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Drive the rest, then go drive the "Sorento" (a coastal city in Italy) with the exception of gas mileage (because of the gear ratio) there is no question which vehicle looks best inside & out! It is fun to drive, but I cannot rate reliability for its too new, but based on the quality I see and feel, I gave it a "9", plus its got 10yr/100000 warranty to the original owner, 60000 if you transfer warranty to a second owner. Hope this helps!

• 

  Love it - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By glf2003 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  When I saw ,KIA, I was amazed. I could not believe this was a KIA. The design and style of the Sorrento is striking. Needless to say, I am still impressed by the ride and amazed at the sticker price. I am attracted by the warranty, offer of Lifetime tire replacement, free oil changes for three years and far more features than any other SUV in this price range. I think that the LX in black is much prettier than the EX in black. But, the only way to have the options I wanted was to purchase the EX. You will not be dissapointed if you choose to purchase one.

• 

  Absolutely no problems in 2.5 years - 2007 Kia Optima
  By grizjack - July 30 - 10:30 pm

  Why all the ones in the block of previous reviews? Looks suspicious to me. In my case theres been absolutely NOTHING negative in 2.5 years of ownership. Rock solid-- just like Consumer Reports says.

• 

  3 Kias in the Family! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By 3 Kias in the Family - July 30 - 9:40 pm

  If we didnt believe in the manufacturer we would have never purchased 3; one for myself, Kia Sorento, one for my husband, (Optima EX), and daughter, (Spectra EX). We should do a commercial for Kia!