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:

• 

  Not Enough Bang For The Buck - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By nojoke1 - February 21 - 6:14 pm

  We purchased a 2011 SX AWD with 42,000 miles recently. This being my first Kia and first SUV I was excited to say the least. However, after a few weeks of driving I started noticing little things such as rattles, rough ride, touchy steering, road noise, acceleration issues (barely touch the pedal and expect a whiplash), cheap plastic interior, uncomfortably flat seat cushions, and seat warmers with one setting (scalding or off). It has already been in the shop for shift lock cam being loose and within a month is going back for the same problem. I believe the Sorento has potential as being a quality vehicle but has several issues to improve on. I find it substandard for the price!

• 

  Best Car I Have Ever Owned (for the $$$) - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By Will - February 20 - 6:53 pm

  We bought our Sportage used with about 18,000 miles on it. Were at 90,000 now. There have been no significant problems with this SUV. Its GREAT in snow. Weve driven coast to coast in it twice, and its never let us down. No, its not a Porsche Cayenne or something. Yes, it would be nice if it had a V-6 (hey, they make them that way now). But overall, when you consider how economical it is to buy and own, its a great value. Of the approximately 25 cars Ive owned over the years, this is my favorite, at least when you consider VALUE in the mix.

• 

  Best vehicle I have ever owned! - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Robin Cofer - February 19 - 10:43 pm

  I have had this car for a year now. My husband and I continually tell everyone that this is by far the best vehicle we have ever owned. I didnt know what is was when I saw someone driving it. Unlike me, I walked up to a total stranger and asked him about the car. He said he traded his Mercedes for this and he was more pleased with the Amanti. My husband is six and a half feet tall and it is important that he has head-room and has enough legroom. Of course, that generally cramps anyone in the seat behind him, but not in the Amanti. We chose this over a Lincoln and a Cadillac. We have advised two other couples to buy this. They thank us when they see us. Our next car will be an Amanti.

• 

  no squares allowed - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By mechell - February 17 - 10:00 am

  very dependable, the only problem that I have with this car is ac comes on for windshield defroster and the oval trunk shapes make the roomy trunk space difficult to use. The seats fold down, but the trunk to backseat oval shape is rediculous

• 

  2 Engines and Counting - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By TallWill - February 17 - 10:00 am

  I have had more troubles with this vehicle than with all other vehicles combined. I had the rear seals and the head gasket on the first engine replaced at 17K, the engine replaced at 22K. (it leaked oil again) The gaskets replaced on the second engine at 28K and guess what it leaks again at 37K. This is not to mention the starter, alternator, fuel sending unit, the door handle that broke, and the fog light that was half full of water. (All replaced or repaired under warranty) The tires were very poor and were replaced at 20K and the breaks are almost shot. If you include the poor gas mileage, it was one heck of a value.

• 

  nice surprise - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By john1 - February 17 - 10:00 am

  I have had the Sorento for 7 mos and have put 12,100 miles on it, Have taken to long trips, first was 1000 miles r/t the second was 3,900 miles r/t this was from Florida to Canada and many places inbetween. The ride was great and very comfortable, gas milage varied from 19 MPG to 24 MPG (this was at 60 miles per hour in Canada. 2 Adults and 2 children with luggage for a 2 wk vacation and still had enough room, neaver got tired driving and have had no problems whatsoever. The dealer service dept has been excellent with the 2 oil chng and servicing I have had.

• 

  Good Choice in a Minivan - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By phxmom - February 16 - 9:26 pm

  I have had my Sedona EX for 3 years. There have been some superficial problems with the seats (plastic molding, squeaking) but the Kia warranty covered the repair of everything. The interior is comfortable and attractive with a sturdy seat fabric that has resisted any staining. The ride is fairly smooth, but road noise is a bit too pronounced. There is ample storage in the multiple compartments. I am at 43,000 miles and have not had any mechanical problems whatsoever. The turning radius is wide which can be problematic when making a U turn. But, I would still recommend the Sedona as a good value for a fair price.

• 

  RUN AWAY FROM KIA! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By acraite - February 16 - 5:05 pm

  I am so mad with myself to buying this car. It was so cute and nice. It was nice to drive. It look great! Then, my satalite radio subscibion ran out. So I was listening to fm. Its all staticy and crackley. I called kia service multple times that is how it is suppose to be. okay. Great a 30,000 $ car and the radio is crap. A few weeks later the backup camera comes on, in DRIVE! Okay, call the Kia service, they tell me that there is nothing wrong. I am so mad, that I cant be helped. I have a video of my camera coming on and the stupid people in the service tell me there is nothing to be fixed. Dont be stupid and buy a kia. Damn I should have bought a Toyata or a freaking honda

• 

  I dont need a Three blade Star - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By Fred Fleming - February 16 - 6:23 am

  The Amanti is a very comfortable car. I traded a 1999 Lincoln Town Car with a lot of interior room for the Amanti and I find it has as much interior room as the Town Car. The controls are well placed and I especially like the adjustable REAR seats for my passengers. I have the option that allows the windows to darken in the sunlight. OK, I personally dont like the rear view mirrors tilting down when I put it in Reverse. But, my wife does, so to keep her happy, I can always move the mirrors up with the controls then hit the seat memory button when I go back to forward gears and they come back in place. What I go through to keep the wife happy. She likes the car as well as I do.

• 

  Classy Chassis - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Linda Overman - February 16 - 4:36 am

  Its a shame that American car manufacturers just dont get the idea of quality and comfort. Hats off to Kia for the Amanti--what a beautiful car. Plenty of power, lap of luxury and a pretty cool style! I have driven many American luxury cars- Caddy,Regis,Buick Ford-- but this one is the nicest. Smooth--silent---stable. Everything that a true luxury car should be---without the price gouging.