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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  Its a Sleeper - 2008 Kia Amanti
  By simickua - December 19 - 6:13 pm

  I was an emergency vehicle instructor for many years. I have driven every type of ambulance and police pursuit vehicle. Wow, impressed with the Amanti. I dont think the sales guy had too much fun when I gave it a few tests before we bought it, but I wanted to know what the car would do under extremes. In an empty lot I made my wife and salesman want to get out! Power? 270 hp+torque! Its a sleeper and I clocked it at 0 to 60 in 6 sec. No joke! Cornered perfect at high speeds nice and tight, easy 360 tight turn, reverse is clear in the mirrors. No dead spots etc. The car does not do big bumps. Inside-everything you would expect in more expensive models of its kind. Luxury-speed-warranty=win!

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  review - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By justen - December 19 - 6:20 am

  All around good commuter; youre not going to win any car shows but you know youll get to work on time and might even have some fun doing so.

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  just got a sorento - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By dpvest - December 18 - 5:45 am

  you get a lot for the money w/ the premium and touring packages. actually, you get a lot for the money for the vehicle. good acceleration. smooth ride. decent noise suppression. would have liked the opportunity to purchase the EX w/out the third row seating (and have that be additional storage). excellent mileage for an suv.

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  Awesome SUV - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Randall - December 17 - 6:23 am

  The 2017 Sorento is a great SUV. I have the LX AWD model and it has everything that I need. Love the Apple CarPlay. I have had it for a year now and I still look forward to taking trips in it. This is my 3rd Kia, and while the reliability of the other 2 was great, the quality of materials and fit and finish in this one is much better than in the past. The Sorento should NOT be overlooked when shopping for SUVs.

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  Amanti. Quality for the Price - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Steve Hansen - December 15 - 8:33 am

  Have only had the car for 3 months, but so far Im very pleased. A very comfortable ride; handles nicely on the highway. Very solid. A great car for the price.

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  Dash Glare Unacceptable! - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By ivor6244 - December 15 - 5:33 am

  Overall quiet, competent and pretty comfortable ergonomics-wise, although underpowered on hilly terrain.

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  Pretty Good Car! - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By American Eagle - December 15 - 2:00 am

  Even though this Kia Sephia isnt a Mitsubishi Eclipse or something off the Fast and Furious, it is overall a GREAT vehicle, and will get me where I need to go. I plan on putting an aluminum wing on it and making it look very nice. Just a few little things mess up every once in a while, but since i have had it for a year, the only problem i have had on it is the coils (spark plug coils) go out, and it was only a 200.00 fix, and it runs better than it has - i believe that is the way it came from the dealership, but other than that it is a great car, and recommend it to anyone who is thinking about it.

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  I wish I never bought a used KIA! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Cara - December 14 - 8:33 pm

  Well from the get go I was excited. I loved the outside and my two little boys under 3 wouldnt really mess up a used car and me care as much so it worked out due to the room also of an SUV. So I should have known while buying it the were replacing the timing belt not to get it I have had my drive shaft messed up and falling out along with the carrier bearings (sp.). Now my reservoir is cracked and being replaced and also my head gaskets are blown. I have had no heater and no air sometimes. It has stranded me and 3 kids and one adult in the middle of the road. They have no customer service at all and every time you call its someone new because they can keep their employees. No kia for me!!!!

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  Great on gas - 2010 Kia Optima
  By csharp1 - December 14 - 3:32 pm

  I just bought this car used and was worried..This car is great, comfortable,gas saver,roomy. I was worried with a smaller engine from a v-8. Great little pick up. good choice no fancy frills but i need good gas and comfort. recommended

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  $2,000 A/C repair @ 45k - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By anjay - December 14 - 3:10 am

  Background: I bought the car off-lease in May 09 with 16k on the odometer. With the exception of so-so gas mileage, I though Id scored an excellent deal. Then, in 2012, just after the 5-year warranty expired, I learned from my [very reliable] auto tech that the A/C compressor clutch had failed and would cost $2,000 to repair. This is a huge cash outlay for a relatively young vehicle w/ just over 45k. Im embarrassed to tell anyone b/c Ive been hyping the Rondo as a great value for four years. I wont be doing that any more.