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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  love the car - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By diane - March 10 - 9:13 pm

  This is a classic car with many options for a reasonable price. It is a great car. Looks like a Mercedes.

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  Hard to beat for the money - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By sskrzysik - March 10 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I searched far and long for a mid sized SUV that could take us up the mountains for skiing. After looking at just about every competitor we found the Sorento the best in every category. Our Sorento is loaded with every option except load leveling. After two months of driving, we truly are happy with our purchase. Being built on a truck frame makes you feel like you own the road without being the biggest out there. The interior quality is superb. Tons of read passenger space!!! Only problem has been a few minor rattles. Haggle with the dealers like we did, dont pay over invoice!! Everyone in the market for a SUV should look at the Sorento.

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  Im a believer - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Frank - March 7 - 10:13 am

  The steering power assist is over compensated and the steering feels almost artificial, but I will never complain about it again. I had a near miss on the freeway yesterday and my Optima maneuvered excellently. If it wasn’t for its excellent maneuverability and the power of the V6, I may not have been here to write this. Most people do not believe I paid $20k for the car (with $3K cash back); most say I must have must have paid at least $25K (its loaded, leather, abs, and power everything). Its longevity remains to be seen, but for now, I’m a believer.

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  Kribe123 - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Nelson - March 7 - 9:23 am

  I am very happy. I feel like a King driving my car. Actually is too much car for the price. It is the best deal I have doing buying a vehicle; so far I have no complaints. I am only worry about sales strategy of Kia. I dont see many Amantis on the road. I have no plans to trade this car for a while but If I will I will receive less money for it.

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  Spectra is fun - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By clhowardgc - March 7 - 8:03 am

  Very quiet, good acceleration, even with the automatic. Gas mileage has been improving as we put more miles on, now over 30 mpg. It now has about 7700 miles, with absolutely no problems thus far. One of the selling points was the excellent warranty, but have not had to use it. Passengers have commented it rides better than some larger mid-size vehicles.

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  Good deal, great car, terrible mileage - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By skk5635 - March 5 - 11:20 am

  Mileage on highway on my last trip was 24 mpg! OUCH. Everything else about the care I love.

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  I love it! - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By 4 door SUV 4 cyl - March 5 - 10:23 am

  Had it 18 months and have 25,000 miles on it. Never had one problem with it. Very dependable and thinking about buying a Sorento just for more room. My husband is 6 3" and is very comfortable driving it and riding in it. It is not 4WD and in the snow I put the ESC on and it drives well in snow. No complaints!

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  One of the best - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By carl hensley - March 4 - 10:13 pm

  I feel this vehicle is not getting a fair rating in the "Consumer reports" Magazine. For one, my average MPG in town/city is 19. I have not had it on a long trip yet so I dont know what the highway mpg will be but I expect it to be more than what it is rated. I traded a 1997 Cadillac Seville on this car and I like it just as well if not better. The only thing missing on this vehicle that the Cadillac had is a compass. It is just as quiet and smooth as the Caddy and just as fast. It has better SRS that the Cad.So far, I have no complaints about this vehicle. Someone needs to get on Consumer Reports and learn more about this vehicle before they publish their ratings.

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  Auto 10, KIA Number 10 - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By Towny - March 4 - 2:46 pm

  Love the Borrego. Everything is perfect except KIA. They did not and refuse to honor their web site presentation. (Dealer was excellent, headquarters not). There logic was some small print that I, to this day have not seen; they have the ability to change or delete features advertised on their website without notice to purchaser. The backup camera, previously included in the package I purchased was, at their discretion, deleted, but the package price was not adjusted. KIA said the package price did not include the camera, but it was listed in the package. I was told the camera was not available until 2010, but now it is in a new model, "limited" that was not even offered.

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  Some likes and dislikes - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Jack Sorders - March 4 - 12:22 am

  Bought the 2017 EX with Tech and Touring packages two months ago. Didnt get navigation, since Apple navigation Maps will show on display if Iphone plugged in. (But Waze is not compatable). I like that I can use Bluetooth, so I can use Siri for calls, emails etc. without picking up the Iphone. Car verbal commands will play AM and FM stations, but will not recognize commands for XM stations -- instead it goes to FM station (strange). Good handling in twisting roads; I like power, acceleration and downshifting for Colorado mountains. DONT like the electronic steering! Im used to hydraulic steering where once you get it "on tract" it stays there even if you touch the wheel either way. With the KIA on highway at 60+ mph, you have to constantly make micro adjustments to the wheel to get it back to neutral. No its not alignment. 3 dealers have done alignments and its perfect. One dealer said thats just the way electronic steering and other new cars are to save weight and for fuel economy. KIA: Thanks for making those saving and the expense of easy driving. (I wonder if Audi and BMW steer this way). So drive it on straight highway at 60+ and see if it bothers you before buying.