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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  What a disaster... - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Lan Lan - November 27 - 4:26 pm

  Bought it new... loved it for about 6 months when everything went wrong... Replaced exhaust 3 times, drive train broke and service center destroyed my hubs (to factory standard apparently)... heater fan replaced 2x... took it to a non-dealership to have heat shield replaced and weld one in... rear seatbelt (where my kids where)... broke and wasnt usable... dealership wanted $150. to replace, bought at a wrecker for $20., rear hinges on rear tire bracket rusted within a year... no warranty here either!(look at all of them they all rust!)... All I discovered about Kia was dont trust their warranty. Id never... ever buy one again!

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  Love my Sportage - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Sherryl Lewis - November 27 - 2:39 am

  Love love love.... ride is great, drive feel is great, size is great. Hubby does complain about elbow room on passenger side. He puts seat all the way back. Soooo happy with our purchase **Update.... best decision ever. ABSOLUTELY love the Kia Sportage. Still discovering additional features I wasnt aware of!!!!

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  Sorento with 7 people - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Peter - November 25 - 11:00 am

  No storage with third seat. Everything else great.

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  Why pay more ... for less..... - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By MCA - November 24 - 10:00 am

  So far, we love our Sedona. A few weeks after purchasing the van we took the family (5 of us) on a road trip. The Sedona was comfortable, roomy, had plenty of power, and provided a smooth ride. Before purchasing the Sedona, I researched a number of other vans. Liked the MPV, but it cost more. Looked at a Windstar, but now think it is all hype. My opinion is for value and features you cant beat the Sedona. Hopefully, Ill have the same opinion in 5 years.... but isnt that true with any new vehicle purchase?

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  First Time Kia Owner - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By BBallDad - November 24 - 10:00 am

  After looking at many SUVs on the market the Sorrento is by far the best buy for your buck. So far (knock wood) we have had no problems and the gas mileage is improving (albeit still slightly under 20 mpg on the highway). The wife and kids love the car especially the sunroof and I love the payments!

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  Kia - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Nadine - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I really wasnt going to buy this car, but when I took it for a test drive I really likes it. It is quiet, has lots of room and storage. My sons loves riding in this car because it is high up. The gas mileage is alright but I did not expect it to be great as it is a truck.

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  Superb, excellent, yesssss! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By marvin - November 24 - 5:03 am

  I cant believe the cars performance, Im driving it from Connecticut to New Jersey every weekend and I love how it handles the road, it outmaneuvered the 2006 RAV-4 and all those pricey SUVs. We had a road trip to Virginia and everyones turning their heads - it seems theyre saying "WOW".

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  GOOD SO FAR - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Melissa - November 23 - 4:06 am

  I recently purchased a used 03 Kia Sorento LX. I have only had it a month. Over all, "so far" I am satisfied with it. There are a few flaws however; at high speeds (anything over 50) the steering wheel shakes a bit, you can feel it in the steering, in the seats, and in the floor board and it does it even worse when using the brakes. But I do enjoy the interior and exterior design, similar to a Lexus SUV for far less price! Oh and a very quiet ride. All in all I would say to anyone considering buying a Sorento it is an excellent choice for the money!

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  Kinda scary - 2002 Kia Rio
  By richard - November 21 - 5:43 pm

  Just purchased this "Korea car" used, need it to commute, standard 5 speed trans, no air? At 93,300 miles how long will this be trouble free? Notice alt belt is frayed, how often should you replace the belts? What happens when the timing belt breaks? How many trouble free miles can you get from Korea?

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  will never buy kia wouldnt recommend - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Angie - November 21 - 4:20 am

  Weve had problems with this SUV from the word go, (bearing & brakes & engine bolt recall) when you called Kia, they give you the run around, I wish I never seen this SUV. Money gone out the window!