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:

• 

  Love it so far! - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By Amy K - February 17 - 8:53 pm

  Traded in my much too tiny and wimpy Dodge Caliber last week for my black Sorento LX and so far I couldnt be happier. It so much fun to drive. I actually look forward to driving to and from work each day... makes it fun. Acceleration is awesome, ride is smooth and strong, and driving is easy. It handles like a dream.

• 

  A Good Buy - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Sorentoluva - February 17 - 4:56 pm

  The Sorento is a user friendly vehicle to drive especially here in the Bahamas where you need a ride that is tough and rugged to handle some of those bad roads down here. It offers smooth handling and the power is there when needed for those open roads where sometimes I am surprised by its quickness, mine is the 3.5 V6. All in all I really like my Sorento and intend to enjoy it for as long as I can. What I really like is that it offers some features that an Explorer doesnt. I have to give it to Kia for the design and shape on the exterior. Those guys really kicked it up a notch. In my opinion the Sorento has one of the sportiest shape of all suvs you can find anywhere period.

• 

  My Kia - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By IloveMy2000KiaSephia - February 16 - 5:10 pm

  I got my KIA as a birthday present in April of this year. (A lot of people laughed) I learned to drive (you know the kind of wear that does) in it. I have YET to be in a more comfortable-to drive, car. The only problems I have encountered are: exhaust leak, transmission fluid was low and it was hard to find WHERE to put the TM fluid. Sophie-my Sephia-loves to go fast. She runs her best at 80-90+ mph. When first starting her for the day, its quickest to just go about 70/80. If not it takes about 10 miles. A/C needs charging. My cd player is broken. The hood has a few minor dents-flimsy metal-door handle seems to be loose on pass. side. All in all, she does what I need and more. I love my Kia.

• 

  My Spectra 5 - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By wondering1 - February 16 - 3:50 pm

  I searched and searched for a car to replace my 96 Metro (191,000) and found the spectra to be everything I wanted in features and safety. I love the gas mileage and the way it handles on the highway. I recommend this vehicle to everyone no matter what the age.

• 

  Best Van Weve Ever Had! - 2008 Kia Sedona
  By workinmom - February 16 - 2:53 pm

  We do a lot of family driving and think we know mini-vans pretty well. We have owned Dodge, Chrysler & Chevy Mini-vans and when it was time to replace our last thought we really did our homework! One of our neighbors recently got a beautiful looking van so we while talking to them we discovered it was a KIA. They loved it and bragged on about it. So we did even more homework and found we could get everything we wanted and save 4 to 6 thousand over Honda & Toyota! And that 10 Year Factory Warranty was more than twice that of the others. It became a no brainer for us. We love our new KIA Sedona.

• 

  Im luvin it - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Shari - February 15 - 3:23 am

  It has been a year now and I have to tell you this thing is really fun to drive. My only complaint would be gas mileage...but it is an SUV so what did I expect. Overall this is a great car very comfortable...and did I mention fun to drive?

• 

  Dandy little car - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Dirsppro1234 - February 14 - 10:00 am

  A/C is the best in any car Ive ever driven. It takes off slow...but then top end is really pretty good. I like all the features. A dandy little car!

• 

  Fun and economical - 2003 Kia Rio
  By seafair - February 14 - 10:00 am

  I have NO complaints about this car except that the transmission slips now and again and the Dealership that sold me the car is full of losers, swindlers and liars. I love the gas mileage this car gets, especially in todays economy. Its cute and handles like a dream. I will definitly consider buying another KIA when that time comes, however I will choose a different Dealership.

• 

  ten is to low - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By mark & Carrie bentz - February 14 - 10:00 am

  I just got the van. and i love , very solid drive, we got the Ex and it is loaded, This van should get a 20 not a 10.

• 

  Real Candy for the Road! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By TBKahuna - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Bought a EX with Luxe package. Considered buying Kia Sorento, Hyundai Sante Fe, Saturn Vue or Toyota Highlander. Found the Sorento to offer best value for the money and great looks. I have driven 11,000 miles in it so far, hauling camping gear and bikes, and every one has been nothing but Total Satisfaction.