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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  Kia Sorento LX with convenience package and 3rd row seat - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By motorspeed - May 18 - 4:45 pm

  After driving the Sorento for more than 5000 miles I am very satisfied with the car. Ive owned a Nissan (350 Z), Subaru (WRX), and Honda (Si). I consider myself a car guy, and now Im driving an SUV because my family is getting bigger. Recently I did a trip in my Sorento to North Carolina from Fort Lauderdale (780 Miles one way) and was very pleased with the car. Six people plus luggage and the SUV behaved admirably. I really like the steering feel and on center behavior, the solid chassis (car based) and how safe it feels overall in handling. The 2.4 GDI engine feels with enough punch doing the task, and is delivering 23 to 24 miles per gallon. Very good package.

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  Love the Sorento SX AWD - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Michael Tucci - May 18 - 4:40 am

  Great SUV. Beautiful in and out. Excellent quality, performance, design, features, room, comfort, warranty. Great Value Too!

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  Just a piece of my mind - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Omy - May 18 - 2:00 am

  While the car is beautiful in the outside and all I had to rate it low on performance because since I got the car, which by the way I bought it with only 21 miles on it, it has been giving me problems with the drivers side door window. The car has power everything and so the window opens by itself and many times while driving in the Highway, which scares me half to death.

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  Unique exterior - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By mona jackson - May 18 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Amanti after taking one look at it. We loved the unique exterior and the unbelievable features available with a price tag slightly over $28,000. The electronic stability package on our Amanti convinced me to give up my 4 wheel drive car-built SUV for it. Granted, we have only owned it for a month, but so far, I love it, and I dont think Ill be trading it any time soon.

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  Love that Kia Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Big Joe1 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  In this day and age of looking for the best bang for the buck, the Kia Sorento is the find. Quality and style for a great price.

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  sorento garbage - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By christine - May 18 - 1:16 am

  I bought a Kia again because I had such exceptional quality with the first one. Then I bought the Sorento and have had nothing but issues with it. In the last 4 weeks I have dropped $3000.00 into it from things not covered under the warranty. Things that should last longer than 3 years. Drive shaft, AC compressor. I will never buy another Kia product again and have made statements online and to allmy friends and family not to buy Kias because they fall apart after a couple of years.

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  My second Amanti - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By Alex - May 18 - 12:26 am

  I love the comfort in driving this car. Not so good in mileage. I had a 2004 Kia Amanti, and the reliability and easy driving convinced me of buying a new one 2006. The style will change in the year 2007 and i am sorry for that.

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  Great Ride for the money - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By jodi - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Compared to other mini vans out there, the Kia Sedona is a lot of van for the money. There are a lot of items that come standard in the kia, such as the rear air and power locks, that is optional in many other mini vans. I was really surprised at how well the van travels on the highway. It was a smoothe fast ride. The breaks have squeaked from the first few months. We had them checked and we were told that it is nothing to worry about. The trunk is a little hard to pull down. Other than that, we are very pleased.

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  A solid bargain - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By BobM - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Best car for the value, by far. On par with the Mitsubishi Gallant S I trade in for it. The warranty is a big plus. The ride is great, sound system superior to what I had with the Gallant. A pleasure to drive.

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  Want lots of attention? - 2010 Kia Soul
  By luisruvi - May 17 - 6:10 am

  We have had a great time so far in this car. Very comfortable and fun. Great style and lots of people notice us in the Molten Red model. Moved my wife from an 07 Explorer and was worried about size change but she is falling in love with the soul.