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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  Awesome - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By KickinAus - January 28 - 10:00 am

  This thing is awesome. I was a bit aprehensive because it had the name Kia, BUT when I actually drove it the car was amazing. This is truly a must have when shopping for a SUV. Low price + Great SUV = Phenominal Buy

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  Excellent - Best by Far - 2004 Kia Optima
  By D Duke - January 27 - 5:16 pm

  Purchased this for high miles use and Kia warranty and outstanding value. 4th KIA owned - all excellent with high miles. Have never been left on the road walking by any of 4 Kias owned. Currently own 2 Optimas. Emergency road service excellent when I locked key out of KIA 2000 model. Atlanta rapid response and back inside within an hour. Top ride and good gas mpg...30+. As a Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, Infiniti etc. owner who loves great cars, this is best overall for price, mpg, warranty, and reliability. On road all hours day and night and it gets me there. Always.

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  Love my Kia! - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Randy - January 26 - 10:56 pm

  We purchased our Kia Sorento a few months ago and have fallen in love with it! We purchased it because of the low price, but have found that it has exceeded out expectations! Very comforable and love the "Radiant Red" color. Fun to drive!

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  This car is great! - 2002 Kia Rio
  By foxy - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I have been very satisfied with my Rio. It represents very good value, and I love it. Fun, peels out well

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  I love it! - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Steevo - January 26 - 10:00 am

  This car is great! My dad bought it for me for graduation from high school. This has been an excellent vehicle. I have only had it for 2 months and love it! I was a little hesistant being that it was a Kia and a Korean product, but every hundred miles quells those fears. Take that, Honda and Toyota!

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  Love it! - 2002 Kia Rio
  By E.Z. - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Its superb--no need to spend extra on Honda.

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  KIA keeps amazing me! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Douglas Lower - January 25 - 2:10 pm

  Just bought a new 10 KIA Soul in Aug,loved it!Saw the new Sorento,had to have it! I checked out all the models,I felt the base model was the best choice for mileage and features.I like a manual trans.It has a black Ext. with chrome;handles,grill,rear trim.Nice alloy wheels.It has privacy glass.Very upscale looking!The interior is classy looking!Dk.grey and Lt,grey with a classy faux Blk/silver wood trim between them.The base model is loaded with all the safety features and power options you could want.Power;windows,locks,mirrors,cruise ,a/c,bluetooth,satelite radio,cd, stereo,ipod,usb port.Safety should be the same or better as the Hyundai Santa Fe it is based on,has excellent rating !

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  Finer than the finest - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By rich - January 24 - 11:16 pm

  Ive been in Cadillacs, Lincolns, Toyota (Lexus), and Hondas many times before, but Ive yet to come across a better car than the Kia Amanti. The interior is true luxury & the exterior styling turn heads everyday we drive our car. My Amanti out the door was less than $18,000 and we are amazed at the level of refinement in this car. Interior design and quality are at the Mercedes, VW, and Jaguar levels & are far above most domestic and foreign makes. The 3.5 liter engine is powerful, yet a little thirsty, & performs with the 5 speed auto transmission well. The trunk is huge as is passenger room and storage. Handing on the road is controlled & plush. One drive & youll buy the Amanti.

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  I like it. - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By Alb89 - January 24 - 10:26 pm

  I bought this car for 500 dollars and thought it would just be my A to B car, but it has actually taken me further! Very reliable, A/C and heat works, but it does make the driving slow down when turned on. Not sure why but it isnt that big of a deal. Overall good car. Only thing needed changed was spark plugs.

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  Save money...and enjoy it! - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By scottyace - January 24 - 3:10 pm

  I have owned a Honda Odyssey and a Town & Country, and this is a much better value, and is as good as the Honda and a whole lot better than the Chrysler for overall performance and comfort. The ride is terrific, and the new body gives more room than in the past. We traded our overpriced (way, way overpriced) Town and Country for this, and we are thrilled. It compares very favorably to the Odyssey (we owned one of those before the T & C), but with more options...fully loaded for around $30,000. Drive the Toyota, the Honda, even the Chrysler, but stop at Kia last...compare apples to apples, and you wont be sorry.