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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  OH MY GOSH!! - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By KC Comfort Seeker - November 8 - 6:06 am

  Great car--great buying experience. It took me about 18 months to pull the trigger on a new car. I usually buy used and drive them forever. But I fell in love with this car and it has lived up to my every expectation. Feature function value to the max. Friends and family cant believe the extras included for the price. I didnt think the dual heat/AC would be that noticeable but my wife and I can ride in total temperature comfort with no problem. Interior looks like a much higher priced luxury car. Controls are easy to adjust and intuitive to figure out. Decent gas mileage but you dont buy a car like this for the gas mileage. Very roomy, very comfortable. Bargain hunters delight.

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  Great Vehicle - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Monica - November 6 - 6:33 pm

  I moved up to a Sorento from a mustang. This car is almost as much fun to drive. It is well equipped, stylish and it handles great. If you are looking for a new vehicle you have to test drive the new Sorento. I was not sure I wanted an SUV. I started looking at the Honda Accord but after test driving both i felt more comfortable in the Sorento and love it more each time I drive it.

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  Our Little Vacation Car - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Hummer Guy - November 2 - 9:40 pm

  Have a new H3, a 6yr old Sunfire, and an 08 Dodge Avenger (son). Needed a new smaller, more economical car for vacations now that both of us are retired. Looked at all of them in the one-year-old under $15000 range. I wanted another Avenger which son loves, but wife not comfortable in the seat. Ended up getting this 2008 Optima as a former Enterprise car. Absolutely LOVE IT. Wanted a four, but settled on a six, but the power is amazing -whiplash acceleration -and the economy on three fill ups has been 34, 34, 38 on combined interstate and city driving. The four could not have done much better. It has all the toys like steering wheel radio controls. Only had it 1 mo. So far VERY PLEASED!

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  Designed from the inside out. - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By mueludo - October 29 - 11:20 am

  Best seating position of any small vehicle Ive test driven. Quiet, roomy, Smartly engineered and intuitively designed.

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  Dang - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Very Happy Customer - October 28 - 7:43 pm

  I never thought in a million years that Id be buying a Kia. After years of general motors cars I wanted to try something different. The Spectra was not very big when I looked at it but when I sat in it it had more than enough room. I was amazed at the smooth ride and gas mileage of the car. I drove all of the way from Darien Georgia to Nashville TN on one tank of gas! I rode around for another day and a half after that. This is over 600 miles. The price is great as well. Kia just got a customer for life if they keep making cars like this.

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  Best Value SUV - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By Todd Roberson - October 26 - 9:03 pm

  My wife and I just purchased our 2008 Kia Sorento. We had a 2006 Nissan Murano and was overwhelmed by the Sorento quality and price. We was able to upgrade to the top of the line including DVD, leather, sunroof etc. We took a couple of days to decide but thats just because of the color of the vehicle (midnight Blue /gray) and we could not be happier with our decision. Key issues was the turning ratio, torque, comfort and style of the exterior and interior. No complaints!

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  Nice car - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By KIA Dude - October 26 - 2:33 am

  KIA is just out-doing themselves. They totally re-designed this car and in a huge way. Sporty style, interior comfort, power and ride for an unbeatable price. Lookout carmakers!

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  It cant get better than this - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Basic Old Bob - October 26 - 2:23 am

  Ive had my new Sorento only 3 days and less than 200 miles, yet the car is built like a champ. It doesnt have AWD but with the front wheel drive and all of the safety systems I do not believe I will need the upgrade for New Yorks Hudson Valley. The safety and tech features are either unmatched or very rarely matched for the selling price. AND you dont have to pay extra for the longer warranty and road side assistance. The 4 cylinder engine/6 spd transmission is plenty of power for this car in city, country & highway driving (thankfully I wasnt stopped).

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  Happy with car expectations/price - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By duriem - October 25 - 6:24 pm

  We bought this car new directly from the dealer. After check out all possible options in the market, the KIA SORENTO was unbeatable compared to the competence (TOyota, Honda, Hyundai, etc). Great warranty and value for the price it sales!

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  Wonderful Car - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Andrew - October 25 - 1:20 pm

  Ive had my Kia for just over two years and its still doing excellent. Im coming up on 20k mileage and nothing has broken or been replaced outside its maintenance. Very reliable if taken care of, and well worth the money.