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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  new kia - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By tomanycars - June 7 - 10:00 am

  this car is great. I traded my mustang for it.Turns better,more comfort and head room.Handles on the interstate great.Not alot of road noise.Great sound system.Lots of room for my kids in rear seat.I am averaging 33 mpg.

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  sharp car - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By whome - June 7 - 10:00 am

  rides good runs good fast enough to get into trouble

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  Great Van - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By hawkes - June 7 - 10:00 am

  This van is great. It rides well and has plenty of power to pull a jetski even while fully loaded with cargo and family. Over 12k miles and no problems as of yet.

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  Sorento is "just right" - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By socalmom - June 7 - 10:00 am

  I fell in love with the Kia Sorento the first time I laid eyes on one in a mall parking lot. I have owned two other SUVs and find the Sorento to be "just right". My complaints are for very poor gas mileage (city 12-13 mpg, highway 18 mpg during a Vegas trip) and excessive wind noise at the sunroof. I LOVE the interior/exterior styling, interior comfort and height, and the solid road handling, especially around turns.

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  8 months no complaints, great find - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By mansoniv - June 7 - 10:00 am

  We have had this car for 8 months now and it is wonderful. My wife and I got it when shee was 8 months pregnat and we puchaced it for the two kids and the interior layout. It has plenty of power and is built stout. It is very comfortable but does ride like a truck. I like it that way. My 3 year old can get in and out with the running boards. If I had to do it all over again I would definitly get this veichal again

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  Koreas Biggest kept Secret - 2004 Kia Optima
  By NCCU EAGLE - June 7 - 6:03 am

  I bought my Kia with 30k miles on it. Since I have bought the car I have driven about 13k miles without one single problem with it.

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  Im Happy - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By cajun - June 5 - 8:50 pm

  So far after 3 weeks the wife is still happy so Im happy. Comfort and accessing the controls is easy, all within reach. The ride is better than the Taurus it replaced. The steering is something I had to get used to. It seems a little sluggish, not as responsive as other cars Ive owned.

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  Great Vehicle ! - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Bell - June 5 - 4:16 pm

  This is a great vehicle. Priced well built good and has a great warranty. Check out the safety ratings...reconsider that Windstar with the swaying suspension and noisy V6. Whoever said this "van" is underpowered is crazy. The 5 speed automatic is smoother and the 3.5L is more responsive than than the Ford or Chrylser product. I am pleased with the new wave of KIAS.

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  Best Van,,,PERIOD! - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By JWM - June 5 - 2:53 am

  Were ready to trade in for a Berrago..after driving a loaner for 2 days, we just couldnt give up the comfort and reliability of our EX Sedona...to bad they are discontinuing this model in 2011.

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  Great value if you can get a deal - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By JerryO - June 5 - 2:30 am

  Handles well, very solid feel. You can feel the higher weight in the ride and when you hit potholes, just absorbs it. Interior hip room is great, especially in the back seat with a carseat in the middle(mid-seat 3 pt. belt great for kids to see road too). Looks like a Lexus, very similar features in general, but at 19K, well worth the investment. Smooth acceleration and fun with the 5-auto w/shifter. Looks as strong as it drives.