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 Sedona 2002 - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By rodneygm - January 27 - 10:00 am

  for the price........this is by far the best van.

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  Sold on Sorento! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Sold on Sorento! - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This is one great SUV! I traded my Xterra in on one, and when my wife drove it, she decided to trade her Lexus to! Most everyone here has mentioned gas mileage. My Xterra only got 15, and the Lexus was 19. The Sorento is averaging 16 around town. Another review by "Kia 4 Me" summed it up nicely. The better gas milage of the Lexus "saved" us $282 a year over the Sorento (gas here averages $1.91). But at that rate it would take just under 50 years to make up the difference! Thanks for the perspective Kia 4 Me!!!!

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  Very impressive SUV - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Bill Moore - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Exceptionally well designed. Incredible array of features for the price. Build quality is excellent. Got the AWD EX with leather/sunroof package. Recently parked next to some BMW, Audi and Lexus SUVs and this SUV knocks them all off the block on looks alone. Buy it, you wont regret it.

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  KIA Sorento SX V6 AWD is fantastic - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By RNOVAK - January 26 - 10:00 am

  This is a $50,000 MDX for $32,000. I love this vehicle. I have had it about 7 weeks and put about 1000 miles on it. i love everything about it. the complete package and 10 years 100,000 mile bumper to bumper for an extra 1300 is amazing. How can I go wrong? Handles like a car. Absolutely flies and is quiet as any car I have ever been in. Everyone I show it to is amazed with Kia.

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  Had it for a week and LOVE it! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By VegasGirl - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Just picked up my shiny black Sorento SX and cant say enough about it. What a sharp lookin ride! LOVE IT! My dealer experience at Findlay Kia in Las Vegas was fantastic! I averaged 25 MPG this week and am quite pleased with the smooth ride; especially compared the EX V6. This car had the most bang for the buck of any car I drove. I enjoy all of the convenience features and have made good use of the dual zone climate control, my mom can freeze on her side and I can stay unfrozen on my side! I love the voice activated features, the NAV, and the back-up camera. Stereo is good too. Even though its just been a week, I am impressed every time I go for a ride. Thanks Kia

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  No More searching - Buy this car! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Charlie - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Ladies and Gentlemen, Like me you have read every review in the small mid size SUV category and having trouble deciding. I am so glad I chose the new Sorento. I have owned BMW, lexus, GMC. Mercedes and a range rover and this is the best car I have owned. The engine is like a Lexus, effortless from stop or in traffic. I have driven 15K miles in 6 months and besides a bad shock which was replaced in 24 hrs at no charge the car has been perfect. MPG is about 21 average with mostly city driving. The handling is like a BMW, gripes the road with no roll felt. BUY THIS CAR! Got a basic V6 for 23K, very happy.

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  Lots of Car in an Affordable Package. - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By Stacey Hamilton - January 25 - 8:52 pm

  We bought this car for our 16 year old daughter and she loves it. We got the EX package with AWD and the 6 cylinder engine. It is just the right car for a teenage driver.

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  Never buy a Kia - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By andy - January 25 - 1:36 pm

  I am so pissed at kia, I have to rant. I am so pissed that I paid almost $30,000 for a V6 sorento to tow my boat and I cant use it. two dealers told me it can tow 3500 pounds, the brochure and website says it can tow 3500 lbs. I get the vehicle home buy a hitch and then I see in the owners manual that everything I was told was wrong. Kia advertises the 4 cylinder tows 2000 pounds, but the owners manual say not to tow with it. They advertise the v6 tows 3500 pounds but the owners manual say it tows 2000 pounds. After dealing with Kia on this issue I will never deal with them again. Sorry about the rant review but I have to get it out.

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  Great Car - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By Jim - January 25 - 4:40 am

  This is a great car. It gave me luxury at an affordable price. The car rides very smoothly and it is very comfortable for myself and passengers.

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  IN STYLE - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Dave Muncy - January 24 - 11:43 pm

  I bought this van because of the looks, reputation, crash test rating and warranty. Eight months down the road, I still like it very much. The stability and handling are excellent, I like the fact that it weighs so much. Very well put together, and comfortable interior. The ride is quiet, power is surprising for a 6 cylinder-195 horsepower engine.