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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  Owned for one month - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By PB51 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a 2001 4 cyl Toyota Highlander which was having engine problems at 60,000 miles. This vehicle is peppy and feels more solid than the Highlander which I did also like very much.

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  My Kia Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By jefiner4 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I love the pick up and go that my vehicle has! Its fun to drive and has more cargo room than my old Dodge Grand Caravan! The way it turns on a dime and stops quickly make it great for parking in tight quaters. I love taking it on long trips because of the way it rides and handles and sounds!

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  great suv great features - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By ediman - March 26 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive good accleration great looks a lot of thought in almost everything from power points to cup holders.

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  Overall Best Buy In Its Class - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Natab - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought this SUV after reviewing it online for 3 months. I give it pretty good marks for for its head turning looks. Superior rating for its endless list of standard features esp the EX model that I bought. Best of all, I couldnt have done much better at $24000 at 0% financing for 6 years. Definitely a lot of bang for the bucks. Believe me, I test drove the Highlander, the Tribute and the Jeep Liberty. They come nowhere close to the Sorento in build and features.

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  Good value but horrible fuel economy - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Tom in Houston - March 25 - 8:43 am

  This is a functional, well-designed, comfortable, and generally good- handling minivan. Its also a great value compared to Toyota and Honda. But the fuel economy really sucks. Im averaging 13.5 MPG overall (mostly city driving). Thats way worse than the 98 Grand Voyager it replaced. I might as well have bought a Tahoe or Expedition, which look cooler and are just as big. Also, Im on my 3rd battery in three years. Hmmm.

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  Best Car Ever Owned - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Sakequeen - March 24 - 9:23 pm

  6-Speed is awesome! Great gas mileage, just drove from Pittsburgh to Kitty Hawk, NC and it was THE most comfortable ride I have ever had. I love the features and the overall look (SNOW WHITE PEARL). So much room in the back cargo area, and my kids love the large amount of space in the backseats, as well as the air vents. Best vehicle I have ever purchased. I have owned Honda, Saturn, VW, and a Pontiac, this is my forever car. I feel like I bought an expensive car. I am always getting stopped by people inquiring about it.

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  Dont buy Kia - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Lorri - March 24 - 12:55 pm

  Dont buy Kia. I have had my Kia for 7 years and the check engine light has come on and off since I owned it. brought it in a few time to a dealer and they cant find anything wrong with it. now I have to have it emission tested and the check engine light is on so it failed. Kia wont do anything about it of course because it is out of warranty.

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  My Sorento LX-6 - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Jake - March 24 - 9:00 am

  Got one of the first LX-6 models, drove the 4 cyl and was going to get the EX-6 but didnt need all the equipment. The 4 cyl is a bit underpowered but adequate. The 6cyl has great power and is fun to drive. All 6 cyl models come with rear A/C and rear 3rd row seats which are to small for an adult and if used there is little storage space. Has 18 inch tires so its rough of bumpy roads but quiet and smooth otherwise. So far gas mileage here in S. Fl with a/c used most days has been close to sticker. Vehicle is comfortable, brakes and handling are very good and price was even better for what you get.

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  Great car until now.. - 2007 Kia Optima
  By wolfenbuttel - March 24 - 5:25 am

  Bought the car Used from Enterprise car sales with 43,000 miles on it. Gas mileage was below expected averaging around 20-24 instead of the 28-32 like the sticker said. Absolutely love the look and design of the car but, have had numerous problems with the transmission not shifting smoothly. The headlights and tail light bulbs blowing every 6 months, but fixed that issue with an HID conversion kit on the car. The trunk randomly pops open on its own, and It has had the worst electrical issue with the AC randomly shutting off and on, Dealership tried to tell me it was the blower motor but that was a lie. I had it replaced and it does the same thing.

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  Catch one if you can - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Gary Marzolf - March 24 - 2:29 am

  Much better car then i expected.