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:

• 

  Great car, Great price - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By jbigs22 - January 5 - 10:00 am

  Great car, runs smooth. Very quiet ride with lots of room and safety features for my family. For the price, I could not have asked for a better car.

• 

  Suits us Well - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By CYO - January 5 - 10:00 am

  We have owned our Sedona for just over 10 months now and we are very happy with it. Weve had a few little things happen (the cup holder wasnt working right) but that is all. I would say that the Sedona is more truck like than car like. For example, cornering, fuel economy, ease of handling arent all that great when you compare them to a car or car-like minivan, but if you compare them to a truck (why not, they are just as heavy), they seem about average. I feel this is a small trade- for the price (some people may even prefer the truck like feel). In order to pay the same price for comparable options we would have had to buy something 3-4 years old!

• 

  Sorento review after year 1 - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Kia 4 Me - January 5 - 10:00 am

  As promised, Im back reviewing the Sorento after the 15000 mile mark, and Im happy to report that the vehicle has performed flawlessly for the past year. Gas milage is holding at 19 overall (see previous post), and at that level, the cost savings averages out to $1100.00 per year over a Highlander and $1300.00 over a Lexus. By the way, I use those two as comparisons as they are the only vehicle close to the class that the Sorento truly competes in. Kia definately has a winner here, and Ill be back at the 30k mark to let you all know how things are going then!

• 

  Happy in Ohio - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Babycakes311 - January 5 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 2004 Ex 4x4 in Dec., 2003. My first foreign vehicle. Was comparing it to Lexus 330, & Acura MDX when I compared, and test drove a Kia I was pleasantly surprised enough to purchase one, handles well in the snow, love the features. Dont let the mileage estimates scare you. Compared to a midsized SUV, consumption is comparable. Test drive one, you too may be happy. Sound system rocks! I havent had one problem with this vehicle. Good job Kia.

• 

  Love my Sorento! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Meand102 - January 5 - 10:00 am

  My Sorento is the best car purchase Ive ever made. Ive had an Explorer - wouldnt trade my Sorento for 10 Explorers! Its fun to drive, it looks sharp, and it pulls my boat with no problem!

• 

  Great sedan - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Richard - January 5 - 12:33 am

  I have purchased several luxury automobiles over the years and almost always had problems that needed immediate attention within the first few weeks of ownership. With the Kia Amanti I have had zero problems during the first several months. My Daughter also purchased a Kia Amanti and has had no problems during the first year.

• 

  Like it - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Nice Vehicle - January 4 - 10:23 pm

  Excellent overall value. My wife loves the vehicle. Could use more braking power considering its weight. Lacks get-up-and-go. Fuel efficiency is poor. Handles very well and conveniently converts from passenger vehicle to hauler with minimal strain.

• 

  Fun Car - Too Many Problems - 2010 Kia Soul
  By soul glo - January 4 - 8:23 am

  Bought my Alien Soul + the day after thanksgiving. Been in the shop twice. ABS problems, shifter problems and on Monday morning the heat didnt work and it overheated. Towed in and they added coolant and are replacing the thermostat. Its very unfortunate that KIA still does not have sufficient quality control in their products despite all of the great reviews. I really like the car but am unsure how long I will keep it now.

• 

  I love my Sorento! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Kia Princess - January 3 - 6:20 pm

  My husband purchased the 2005 Kia Sorento for me as a Christmas gift and I love it! It looks like a much more expensive SUV and it drives like one,too. I needed the room but did not want to look like I was driving a bus. I have gotten so many compliments on my Sorento - people always think it is a Lexus SUV. When they realize it is not they are surprised. The warranty that Kia provides is one of the best out there. I had an Optima before this car and love the Kia products and I knew that I wanted something bigger and I wanted it to be a another Kia. We found out that the digital clocks had been recalled and needed to be replaced so anyone with a problem just contact your dealer to get a new one.

• 

  Love this car - 2006 Kia Rio
  By chris pienkowski - January 2 - 1:16 pm

  It is cute and comfortable with good gas mileage.