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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  Im in love - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Pebblz - January 23 - 10:00 am

  This car is exceptional for the price paid and the warranty that goes with it.

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  Happy driving - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Jeannettes car - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Very happy with this car--3000 miles so far-Good ride-Good quality and workmanship. need auto door locks when put in gear. compass would be helpfull.This was purchased for my wife and she says it is the best car she has ever driven. We are in our 70s so we have had a lot of cars in our life time. I have been in the auto service trade for many years and think this will be a very fine auto for some time to come,

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  Great SUV. I am impressed - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By JNP - January 23 - 10:00 am

  I am mechanical engineering professor, and was looking for a SUV. Saw all, including US made, Germans, Swedish, French, Japanese, etc. Then saw the Kia Sorento and thought: "Well, another good looking car, but with nothing inside". Asked for a test-drive and was impressed. Then, took the test car for a trip off-road and was convinced. I have one Sorento for 9 months now. Great fun to drive, very good quality, very reliable, fairly economic (if you use a selected engine oil it gets real economical: I use BP Visco 7000 (0W40)). I am just curious about maintenance costs: until now I didnt had any problem with it.

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  We LOVE IT First 1200 Miles a Breeze - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Zk3 - January 23 - 10:00 am

  We were in the market for a SUV,and have owned sports cars in the past.This Sorento gets it !! I test Drove all the competitors and KIA SORENTO Won the challange HANDS DOWN! The Body Lines are the Best of all comparable Models.We Bought the 04 EX added the Leather Seats,Bug-Shield,Roof- Spoiler,Step-Bars,Brush Gaurd,Mud Flaps,Vent Gaurds,Front Window Tinting,Allezza Tail Lights,Removalble Dog Barrier,etc... And Drove it HOME under $27,500. Thats with all extra undercoating,paint sealer,leather gaurd...WOW plus 5 year/60,000 Everything (Roadside Included) and 10 year/100,000 Powertrain. My Advice is "Check Them Out"

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  old kia owner and suv lover - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By huppwc - January 23 - 10:00 am

  have owned many suvs, looked at several again before buying this one. was amazed at the price and warranty for all the options and the great confor and looks.

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  My 2nd Kia sorento - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By darda71 - January 23 - 9:53 am

  I just purchased my 2nd Kia Sorento, I had a 2011 LX with the 4-cy and my lease was up and I upgraded to the SX V6.. I looked at many different SUVs and almost purchased the Jeep Grand Cherokee but after driving the SX I stayed with Kia. My Only complaint on the 2011 was the Ride was stiff and power in the 4-cy, so The SX took care of both issues.. I love the Sorentos, cant beat the value they are the perfect size suv. I have the 2-tone leather, dual roofs, nav, keyless start, lighting package, chrome wheels.. Drive one and you will be impressed.

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  Love it - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Markus - January 21 - 9:36 pm

  An Avalon for the price of a base Camry! Ride is comparable to a Buick or Toyota; a bit flat but extremely cushy. Luxury abound!

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  Great Little Truck for $21K - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By RobR - January 19 - 6:40 pm

  We bought this car 2 months ago, and just put in the first oil change. I get 17/22 mpg. Its been great so far, really has exceeded our expectations. The only thing Ive noticed I didnt know before is the road noise seems a bit loud. The power outlet up front was mis-wired, but the dealer fixed it quickly. The auto tranny could be better, but is adequate. sport shifter is hokey. Offroad, I learned very quickly to turn off the Electronic Stability Program to make it. Reviewers say otherwise, but I say this is a great off-road vehicle. I drive it up primitive access roads to mountaintops on the job, and it has been just great - sans ESP-, even in 8 inches of snow on really poor, steep roads.

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  Great car with some funkiness to it! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Slamm215 - January 19 - 5:33 am

  I bought the base Soul with the 1.6L engine and 15" wheels. I added my own custom 17" wheels to it and Im very happy with the result. The engine isnt going to win you any races but its more than adequate with the 5- speed manual. Looks are very sharp and the interior is above average for this price point. Ive only had the car for a couple weeks but Im very please so far. Would definitely recommend for anyone on a budget who wants something with style instead of the usual bland offerings.

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  Wow - I love my Sedona - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Jnels - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Awesome so far, I love it