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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  Have had problems with my Kia Sedona LX - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By R.J. - June 15 - 1:06 am

  Yes the Kia is very comfortable and has lots of nice gadgets, the kia does drive well and gains speed pretty quickly, aside from that I have had more of a headache with it then what it is worth: I have had to take my KIA in 3 times already within 2 months time. The power sliding doors do not open so I have to manually pull them open, my Kia will start only when IT wants to! First I was told it was the junction box that needed to be replaced and now it is supposedly the "body control module" that now needs to be replaced. As a mother with four children I am very busy with school, sports, work, etc. I absolutely need a reliable form of transportation this van is NOT reliable!

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  Disappointed - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Brian - June 14 - 10:20 am

  I am disappointed with the 2004 Kia Sedona. Very poor gas mileage, about 12 mpg in town. Quality is poor. Rear hatch has a clunk sound when opening and the windows have the same when when closing. The bench seat in the middle is a big hassle. Dealer said the middle and rear seats are interchangeable which they are not. I will not buy another Kia.

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  A excellent Car to own - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Avanti - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is truly a wonderful car and fun to own. I have never had so much attention in a car. It has everything you could want in a car and the price is fantastic.

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  COMFORTABLE - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By DRIVER - June 12 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS A VERY COMFORTABLE SUV. MY HUSBAND IS 63" AND LOVES THE "ROOMYNESS" ABOUT IT. IM ABOUT 54" AND I LIKE THAT IT DOESNT FEEL BULKY. I CAN SEE VERY WELL AND HAVE NO BLIND SPOTS. THE HOOD IS EASY TO SEE OVER AND BACKING UP IS GREAT. THE REAR SEATING IS COMFORTABLE ALSO. IF NEEDED, I AM ABLE TO SIT IN THE REAR IN BETWEEN THE 2 CAR SEATS.

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  Gas Saver! - 2011 Kia Forte
  By Desiree Machado - June 10 - 7:40 pm

  This was my 1st car that i purchased on my own 2 1/2 years ago and i can honestly say it was well money spent. I love my car so much it is very reliable and i cant stress it enough on how much gas it saves! Inside is very comfortable, easy to steer, entertainment is great, speakers are loud, Bluetooth workes perfect and seat adjustment is easy and accurate. This makes a great 1st car, unfortunately i have to give my up for something bigger because the back is a little to small for my babies carseat. Not a family car at all. But thats honestly the only Con about the forte.

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  not bad - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By kenya - June 10 - 5:03 pm

  Overall not too bad of a car. Have a strange clicking when turning in reverse. Interior is real nice, need to make a change to the exterior rear of auto - too plain looking, doesnt go with the nice front end.

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  want dependable, this is your car!!!! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By jlc/mrsjettcarnes05 - June 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Kia Sportage since November 2001,I bought it used with 30,000 miles on it.Now it has 102,785 miles and is still running like new!!!!!Me and my husband have taken severly trips with our kia,One was a 1,000 mile trip up to Conniticut and it got us up there and back,no problems.Weve also drove to Kentucky from here which is 500 miles and back,thats been done 6 times,no problems at all,If anybody want a good, reliable,fun to drive suv.This would be your car.

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  sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Lorial10992 - June 8 - 10:00 am

  So far no problems, nice looks, solid, great value

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  Avoid At All Costs - 2007 Kia Optima
  By RickHadley - June 8 - 3:13 am

  I bought my 2007 Kia Optima brand new. The car was great for the first 18 months. But this car is the worst vehicle Ive ever owned. My automatic transmission went out at 60,076 miles. It seized up and left me stranded in the Arizona desert. My starter went out soon after. Engine was replaced just before 65,000 miles. The car has horrible resale value. I get pretty crappy MPG, 23 highway and 17 city.

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  Love My New Sportage - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By new owner - June 7 - 11:53 am

  I love the new style and ride! It has been a head turner already and has all the bells and whistles that more affordable SUVs have, yet half the price, oha nd the gas milage is great too. I am getting 23-26 mpg!