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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  Great value on the EX - 2014 Kia Sedona
  By arizonajim - May 9 - 2:58 pm

  We have only had the Sedona for 2 weeks, but we really like it. It feels great, has plenty of power, and cost a lot less that the Toyota or the Honda vans. The pedals adjust for my wife, who is 5 feet tall, and she loves it. It has leather, power seat with memory, and everything I want. It has a sun roof, which I didnt want. If it missing anything, I cant imagine what it might be. It has back up camera, back up warning, blue tooth.

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  Switched back to Kia - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By pdm777 - May 9 - 12:48 pm

  I owned a 2004 Kia Amanti and traded it in for a 2010 Chevy Equinox...loved the gas milage, but gave up too many features I enjoyed in my Kia...so thanks to the special the dealer had I was able to trade in my Chevy for the 2013 Kia Sorento EX...love it...gained all the luxury I was missing and added the peace of mind of the Kia warranty. Gas milage has been great my first tank of gas I averaged 28 mpg which was a mixture of Highway and City miles. Love the bluetooth link to my iPhone and the UVO system is awesome. Lots of room for driver over 62" with plenty of room for back seat passengers....I am so glad I am no longer a Government Motors owner and back in a Kia made in America. :)

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  Time to ditch the past image! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Russell Ruffin - May 9 - 8:53 am

  I was at my wits end looking for a car and my last visit was to look at a Kia Sorento. Why did I need to look further? What a value and people think its a Lexus!

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  Great Car but... - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By mumfrumson - May 9 - 1:50 am

  Great Car, the V6, Love the Manual shift, the folding third row is great, plenty of room, leather sun roof etc is fantastic. The sun room is back far enough so you dont get beat up.. the only thing missing.. OUTSIDE TEMP. Drives me crazy (no Pun Intended) I have almost 28K of highway miles, rain and snow, no problems, good in slow even with 16 rims.

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  A Great car for the price! - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Joey P - May 9 - 12:06 am

  I did a lot of comparing to other cars when I went into the world of compact cars (I was seriously looking at cars like Corolla, Mazda 3, Focus, Civic, etc.). For the price of this car and what you get, I find that the Kia Spectra was the best choice for me. I was looking for an all around fuel effecient, comfortable, reliable get around town type of a car. The cabin is very comfortable, the style is nice and the car performs great! It has all the power options, a CD player, and even great tires! Im very happy with the Spectra. Im 6 tall and the driving is comfortable and the console is very user friendly. If youre looking, test drive a Spectra!

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  great van - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By michelle grube - May 8 - 10:00 am

  we had the best expierience with the whole package. We went in the showroom and purchased this van and we love everything about it. We will tell everyone about lokey clearwater. thank you.

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  Best car Ive owned - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By skijump - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I couldnt be happier with my Sorento.

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  2004 KIA Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By iahawk - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Bought in first part of July. Have put over 2000 miles on vehicle and have had no problems. We have had several SUVs and feel the ride is as good or better than any we have had before. Lots of comments on the looks, some people hesitant of the KIA brand...but dont knock it until youve tried it. Gas mileage isnt the greatest but it is getting what it was suppose to..guess you dont buy a SUV for the gas mileage. Overall I have no complaints and highly recommend this vehicle. You get alot more vehicle for your money.

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  We get lots of attention. - 2010 Kia Soul
  By luisruvi - May 7 - 9:26 pm

  So far so good. Was great on our first day trip. I am super impressed with my Hyundai and Kia and I think I will be a loyal customer.

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  Features & Price are Hard to Ignore - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Landenberg, PA - May 7 - 5:16 pm

  Absolutely fun to drive! Solid handling, quiet, and decent performance. We traded in a 97 Sportage EX for a new 05. We never had any problems with the 97 after 8 years and 60k miles and it wasnt half the car of the 05 Sportage. We looked at a Rav4 to replace the 97 but decided to take a look at the new Sportage just to see what it was like. I would have shelled out the cash for a Rav4 but after driving the 05 Sportage, I was sold. The features and accessories are better than the Rav and for a price thats impossible to beat. The Rav4 is a great car but I felt like I would have been throwing money away to buy one. Look past the Kia logo and do your homework. I think youll be sold too.