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:

• 

  My Baby Sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Norma Keys - March 11 - 5:03 am

  when i purchased my Sorento Lx w/ sports package,also keyless starting ,I was overwhelmed how it drove, the comfort and the looks.I drove up to my sons high school one day and the kids said you must be rich your mom has a Lexus...My son laughed and said no Lexus -- same quality but reasonably priced!! We took it on vacation, most comfortable drive ever.also when stopping at stop lights I enjoy watching people look at it and then they will say nice vehicle. Of course the running boards and all sports options really help.. I love my lil Black Beauty

• 

  Good buy - 2013 Kia Soul
  By dviljoen - March 10 - 11:27 pm

  We had an 01 Maxima that needed too many repairs. I didnt want a payment, but the wife wanted something new. I essentially went into the dealer and said "I want a Soul, manual transmission, white, and no options." The "no options" thing is just to give you maximum leverage, because nobody makes a vehicle with "no" options. I was almost wrong. Kia had a white Soul, manual trans, and floor mats (option). All said, it has been awesome. Only $245/mo payment, 37mpg, and plenty of room.

• 

  Great Van - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Angel - March 9 - 6:23 pm

  We rented a Sedona for a family vacation and loved the way the vehicle ran and the comfort. After we got back we started looking around for one and got our Sedona in November 2004.

• 

  Dont make a mistake - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By pmjudianne - March 9 - 2:08 pm

  Had to replace headlights frequently and out of nowhere it started clicking in the motor. We called the local Kia dealer in Lufkin and they told us that sometimes a lifter gets stuck and just to put in "SeaFoam" oil. We did and the sound just got louder, we called again, the car had only 73000 miles and they repeated that there was nothing to worry about and just to "rev" the motor and it would work its way loose. One week later the car was still clicking and we called again, the mechanic said we would have to just give the oil time to work. We did just what they said and the motor froze up. Then we found out they would not honor the warranty because we were not the original owners.

• 

  Wanna see ya in a KIA - 2016 Kia Optima
  By Pammy smith - March 8 - 8:09 pm

  Decent car for the price. Turbo a big help since it is a 4cyl. Wish it had auto seats.

• 

  Pleased in Texas - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Henry66 - March 7 - 10:00 am

  A very fine car. I am very happy with it. It is very quiet, comfortable and handles well for a family sedan. The detail work is very good and we have yet to find the slightest thing wrong with this automobile. A friend who owns a Lexus asked "Nice car,what did you pay for this?"

• 

  Hoped for More - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Army Guy - March 7 - 9:43 am

  This has been an average van. I knew going in that gas mileage would be bad, and it is ... about 16-17 mpg in mixed driving. Highway we get about 19. Interior is okay; my wife bought it because of leather seats and cheap price. Flexibility, however, is compromised because of very heavy third-row seats that do not fold flat. Reliability has been okay. Check engine light has come on a few times and the alternator went out at 42,000 miles. I think the transmission is starting to go. When colder than about 25, it hesitates before going into gear ... revs like it was in neutral. A/C fixed twice. All except the transmission have been fixed under warranty. Well keep it to 100k as long as repairs are free.

• 

  Great car ! - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Rich Gruoen - March 7 - 2:00 am

  Love the size, and the quiet ride this car gives!

• 

  One happy owner - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By 1happyowner - March 5 - 10:00 am

  We bought our van 4 months ago. I have been driving a five speead for 5 years. I was worried about switching to an automatic. BUt this van is great. the pickup is excellent. I am never worried about not having enough power. I drove other vans, like the Odessey and Town & Country. I like the Sedona better hands down. The Odessey which has 240 hp feels much more sluggush than the Sedona. The interior is very nice we have an EX with leather. We got such a great price on it also. It is very comfortable!! I am now looking forward to the Sorrento. I cant wait to check it out. I would highly recommend this van.

• 

  My Spectra 5 - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Julia - March 5 - 9:53 am

  I just bought this car in April. I love it! Its fun to drive. Good brakes, speeds up quick. Great stereo system and factory speakers. Great car for your first time driving teen too. Very reliable and sporty looking too!