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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  Amanti vs Cadillac - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Barbara - December 7 - 2:06 pm

  I went from a Cadillac to an Amanti - a HUGE difference. The Amanti has a "fast" car feel when driving, hugging the curves. There are Cadillac comfort features that I miss: Armrest for the driver, side mirrors that stay set, outlets that work when the engine is off, and better available storage for the driver. The plus items for the Amanti would be: nice trunk, comfortable rear passenger sets, individual a/c settings, and the front passenger seat reclines. We did tint the windows and now the car looks 100% like a Jag - just needs the hood emblem. One service center actually thought it was a Jag until he saw the wheel coverings.

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  GREAT BUY ! - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By JCR - December 6 - 10:53 am

  Very nice car, its really fast and powerfull. Comfortable for long drives. Smooth ride. A little thirsty. Great audio system.

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  Great Car - Love driving it - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Puddgomez2 - December 6 - 10:00 am

  I saw an ad online for an 03 spectra for $8995, went just to check it out. This car is great. The sales people at Schaumburg Kia were really great, no pressure at all. I had a 01 Focus, this thing blows the doors off that car. It has pretty nice pick-up, its really not even that bad with the A/C on. I do alot of heavy driving and it keeps up on the Chicago express ways pretty well. Im think after a few years I might just get another kia...

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  my new sorrento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By CharlesK - December 6 - 10:00 am

  Comfortable fun to dive. I love it!!

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  Unbeatable Value - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Derfo - December 5 - 6:33 pm

  The Kia Sedona cant be beat for its combination of value, features, and 10 yr warranty. I compared the Sedona to a fully loaded Honda Odyssey at $32,000. I paid $20,700 for my Sedona EX, including a manufacturers rebate of $3,000. I added a very nice aftermarket 11" DVD/MP3/VCD player, seat heaters and a remote starter for less than $2,000. The $10,000 difference was too much for me to justify. Most people that end up buying Kia are looking for a big warranty and big bang for the buck. I am very happy knowing that my car will be fully warrantied until it is paid off. I think todays Korean cars are right where the Japanese were in the 80s: unbeatable value, performance, and reliability.

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  Great Deal - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Jim - December 4 - 9:40 pm

  What a car for the money. If you are looking for a quality car at a affordable price this is it. Very comfortable ride and the interior design is great; ample leg and head room front and back. With the standard safety features and options this vehicle comes with for the price it is the best on the market and thats not even mentioning the standard warranty you get at no charge. If this vehicle is a consideration I do suggest going with the SX model. Many more options for not a lot more money. The 06 has a much improved sound system and power is plenty, cruises like a dream on the highway.

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  highly satisfied - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By beendone - December 4 - 2:23 pm

  I was looking at suv type vehicles. Also Honda Ridgeline. I had not seen the Borrego advertised. Saw it on the lot. Went back, checked it out. I bought it and it did have a good discount. I am happier so far with this vehicle then any of my past vehicles. 3.8 plenty of power. Does downshifts abruptly when giving it gas. I am getting used to that. Ride good. You know it is a truck type frame over large bumps. This also means it will carry a load with no problem. Dash layout and control are the the best I have seen. Everything is easy to find and use including the radio. I am very satisfied and think they should keep selling it in the USA. When the word get out they will sell.

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  Our little zoom zoom - 2008 Kia Rio
  By Kelli - December 4 - 10:00 am

  I really love this car. But the seats are awful. I was rear ended in this car by a car traveling 45 mph, my back is sore, but the car looks like its never been hit. The guy that hit me said it was like hitting a sponge. Also, too bad theres no trade in value to these cars.

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  Extreme Disappointment - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By R. Effingham - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Reading these reviews is like listening to myself complain about this car. I have paint peeling off the roof & mirros, my sunroof wont close properly, I have rust on the trunk, Ive replaced two back lights & one front, currently have coolant leaking so heater wont work, have had a/c recharged & again its not working, light on radio and clock go out, bent steering shaft, and many other little items. Very disappointed, and if I thought I could get what I owed Id walk away. But cant imagine anyone would pay what I owe for whats left of the car. After replacing the coolant reservoir my next expense will be to have the rust spots repaired. Fun. fun.

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  Kia Sorento Three Years Later - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By lad3 - December 3 - 6:44 pm

  I have had the Sorento for 3 years now and wanted to share my experience. It has been a great car. I have almost 50K now and I have not had any problems with the car. Very reliable. With the V6 the car has plenty of power for when you need it. The ride is very comfortable. After I bought it I immediately took it to a road trip from DC to Maine and back. I really had to use the cruise control because otherwise I would easily increase my speed to 80 MPH or more without even noticing it. I like the interior design and the controls. Overall, I am very happy that I purchased the Kia Sorento. Great car, great value.