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:

• 

  One year follow up - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By cgladdue - May 12 - 11:33 am

  It has been a year,14k miles, since buying the Sorento. The car was amazing up until 6,000 miles and 5 service notifications later. We have had service letters for everything from electrical wiring to replacing every light bulb from bumper to bumper. Granted KIA has been great about fixing everything but a new car should never need a new transmission at 7k miles. Even with the new transmission we still have issues with putting the car into reverse and some random rpm surges while driving. We are also experiencing excessive raddeling in the interior and wearing of plastic components. We are chalking this up to the fact that this was one of the first Sorentos off the line, growing pains.

• 

  First time Kia owner - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Charles Xikes - May 12 - 9:53 am

  I was a little unsure when I bought my Sorento but it has turned out to be a very good vehicle. Since purchase we have only had a headlight adjusted, nothing else. Value, features, styling, fit. quality materials are all there for thousands less than most other comparable SUVs. I would not hesitate to buy another.

• 

  I Love my Sorento! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By tysmommy030502 - May 11 - 12:03 am

  I cant believe how impressed I am with my Kia Sorento. Its low priced, and I thought surely we were getting suckered, but after 6 months of driving it, and 3 long trips later, I am so pleased. You can fit 3 full-sized car seats in the backseat and theres room for all 3 to be hooked up to LATCH. And you can lock the windows, so 3 year olds cant throw stuff out while youre not looking. Side impact beams and side curtain airbags help my peace of mind as well, and when you really need to cram stuff in for a trip, this car (SUV, whatever) sure can take it. It will also hold 3 diaper bags, I double stroller and a regular umbrella stroller with no problem. AND theres a luggage rack too.

• 

  Do not rely on 2015 Kia Sedona Brochure - 2015 Kia Sedona
  By jbrucelee - May 10 - 8:25 pm

  I leased 2015 Sedona EX Premium Package based on the information in regards to features and options shown on the brochure I picked up on the dealer in mid-January. At the night I picked up the car to home, I found out that there was no 110v inverter and no Drive Memory Seat. It is clearly shown on the brochure that 110v inverter is the standard features on EX trim and Drive Memory Seat is included in EX Premium Package. You can still see on the downloadable brochure from Kia’s website at http://www.kia.com/us/en/forms/brochurerequest/sedona/2015. Kia said no fault on them because window sticker is the one I had to rely, but the sticker doesnt show all. This is Fraud.

• 

  Best bang for the buck - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Spazzo - May 10 - 9:26 am

  I tried nearly all of the top 10 cross- over vehicles before purchasing the 2011 Sorento. I felt that the Sorento was by far the best overall value for the money and I still feel the same way after driving it for 3 months. I got the V6 EX AWD pretty much loaded, (NAV, voice activated controls, premium sound system, leather, ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, 3rd row seating) and to make a similarly equipped purchase from any other maker would have cost me nearly $10K more. Plenty of power, nice ride, comfortable interior, responsive handling, and very respectable mileage for a V6 AWD. Only time will test out the reliability but the best-in-class warranty should help with that

• 

  Tire Issue - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By eve - May 8 - 11:00 pm

  Love most everything about the car except having to change the tires so often. Have 112K on it and have changed out 4 sets. Redid struts & still going through tires.

• 

  2007 Kia Rondo LX - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Tim - May 8 - 8:00 pm

  We traded a Buick minivan (2 yrs old), and couldnt be happier. No mechanical problems at all with this car. We love it. We have 8,000 miles on it. The only drawbacks are that it never gets the advertised hwy mileage (we only get 24-26 MPG tops), and the road noise is evident when on a bumpy highway/road. The features of this car were better than the traded vehicle (at half the price)--antilock AND stability control AND airbags all around. Feels very safe, and I really enjoy driving it. Cant go wrong at this price for a 7 seater! Will buy from KIA again.

• 

  Still rides like a charm - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Turbo - May 8 - 2:46 pm

  Well, I posted a review in July 11,2007. Well this car has exceeded all of my expectations thus far. I was a little apprehensive at first, about buying a car without much of a reported "track" record, however; I have not been disappointed. Since my purchase in 2006, I have had no problems whatsoever. I have performed all of my scheduled maintenance when due. I had 46,000+ miles on the standard Hankook Optimo 417 tires before replacing them. I bought the same tires because of the handling and ride that I got from them. This car sill rides like new and still gets plenty of comments from passers-by. The fuel mileage is quite good on the highway and not so good in the city. Great Car ;-}

• 

  If I could only have a do over... - 2003 Kia Optima
  By mamanichole - May 8 - 10:05 am

  I bought my KIA with only 3,000 miles on it in late 2004. It was great until I ran out of warranty time, once that happened the car started falling apart. The timing belt went at less than 70,000 miles causing me to replace the whole engine (in 2010). For the past 2 years the car has decided to cut down when I am driving. It spent 3 months in a KIA Dealership repair shop and they still do not know what is wrong with it. How can a KIA Repair shop not know how to fix its own cars? They now say I need to spend another $1200 just to see "If that is the real problem." I loved my car during the first 5 years, but I wish I could go back and traded it at 4 years.

• 

  Quite Pleased With my Soul Sport - 2011 Kia Soul
  By fudogdad - May 7 - 4:59 pm

  I have a 2011 Soul Sport. With all the options but remote start. The car drives and handles great. I drive about an hour to and from work each day. The car has decent pick up so Im not a nervous Nelly when attempting to pass some traffic. I wish the seat had a bit more functionality. Its taken me a bit more time then typical to find my sweet spot. The seat doesnt go back far enough so, anyone taller than around 5 11" may have an issue with space. Im 5 11" and the seat is all the way back. The Tilt wheel is nice but Telescopic would be best. I love all the features of the car. Over all, I love the car. I traded in my Dodge Magnum R/T. It was a serious change by no regrets. Saves on Gas!