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 2004 - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By GrammaNanny - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I traded in a Sportage for the new Amanti and I am thrilled with it!! It has such a roomy interior and the ride is soooo very quiet too. It has all the ammenties that I wanted on a new car! I highly recommend this car to anyone.

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  Highly suggest this van! - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By napfam5 - July 25 - 10:00 am

  We used to own a 2000 Dodge Caravan SE. We drive alot of miles so upon looking for another van to replace it with, we found we just couldnt afford what was out there with the features we wanted...until we looked at the Kia...the website and brochures do not do this van justice!!! It is so much better in person and to drive it! Our children love the DVD system, we love the sunroof, the 4 captains chairs are so comfortable and there is so much leg room even for adults in all 3 rows...this van has so far exceeded all of our expectations and every day we drive it, we are so glad to have all the features that it comes with at such a reasonable price!!!

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  Beyond all expectations... - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By allie2386 - July 25 - 10:00 am

  As the mother to 2 small children, I was in the market for a midsize SUV that was safe and stylish. As a lifelong car snob,I cant believe how favorably the Kia compares to the high- end SUVs (which I really cant afford even if I sold a kidney). The exterior is great-looking, and the interior is thoughtfully designed, luxurious, and beautiful. The truck feels solid and well-built when you close the doors-- nothing flimsy here. The engine is whisper-quiet and driving is a pleasure. The acceleration is more than adequate, though not spectacular. I handles well and has a very tight turning radius.

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  My First SUV - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Frenchie - July 25 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking for an SUV that handles smooth and not like a jeep, truck, etc. this is your vehicle. Smoothest ride I have ever had.

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  Way more than I expected!! - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Drive767@aol.com - July 24 - 8:35 am

  I bought the best KIA available and I have not been disappointed. I drove nearly every similarly sized SUV in existence and nothing compares in terms of value. I definitely recommend the V-6 version, its much more fun to drive and, I believe, much safer. As an added bonus, I was treated like a human being at the dealership and it was a pleasurable experience compared to some to which I have been exposed. If there is a downside ...it will probably take quite a while to master all of the technology in this car.

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  We love it - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By tom - July 24 - 7:20 am

  I told myself Id never buy a minivan, but here I am. I looked at quite a few before deciding on the Sedona. My biggest thing of course was safety, but it also had to be loaded. I got mine for undr $22K-with everything. No other van could come close to that.

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  I love my new car :-) - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By adamsmith2306 - July 23 - 11:10 pm

  I needed a safe, reliable, fuel efficient car, and needless to say I got it. I get about 33 mpg, great space for a small looking car. I have a black 06 spectra sx 5 speed stick shift, w/tinted windows, rims, and a spoiler. It looks very sporty. I love my car and would highly recommend it to all

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  Nearly the perfect balance of performance/economy/price. - 2013 Kia Optima
  By steve63_10 - July 21 - 4:26 pm

  The key to this car is measuring the overall value in a car of this class. Kia has done a great job with a car that has more than adequate performance, a host of standard features, a very roomy and stylish interior, striking looks and the best fuel economy of any car Ive owned. Ive HAD it with paying for $4/Gal gas and getting 13 mpgs in SUVs and trucks etc. Although Ive never gotten 35 mpg as advertised, I have averaged 28.5 in mixed driving. Quite good for a car of its size and performance level. The LX has all the features we wanted and kept the price very reasonable. Is this the perfect car? No. (see suggested improvements) However, it is quite good at just about everything.

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  2011/100,000K miles and still awesome!! - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By Wolf family - July 21 - 1:53 pm

  still runs like a beast!! Sharp/edgy look, Drives/handles very well in the snow/rain. I have 4 kids so this 7 seater is perfect. The last row is good for small children because it is a tight fit and little room for cargo behind that-but otherwise a great family SUV. we absolutely love our Sorento!

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  Great car for the money - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By scubasteve1039 - July 21 - 2:23 am

  What a great car for the money. Good acceleration, gas mileage, and styling. Needs sound system upgrade option. Looks and drives as good as competition (Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi) at a fraction of the cost. Kia has come from out of the basement to a viable option for great value and dependable car that is safe.