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:

• 

  Great Little SUV - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By sportage - October 12 - 8:46 pm

  This is the second Sportage that I have purchased and have enjoyed everything about both cars. The first was a 2000 model and was very happily surprised when the 2005 model came out. Purchased in a hurry and have not been disappointed. Would recommend this car to anyone.

• 

  A key from a man - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Crazylady - October 11 - 10:00 am

  This attractive automobile was a present. It drives smoothly and can handle curves. The seats are comfortable and recline to accomodate everyones needs. This car accomodates single drivers or MOMs with kids. The The stereo system is awesome. The car is very detailed. You must spend hours driving it to experience its full potential. The instruction manual is very long but anyone with basic knowlege can figure it out. Theres lots of extra ammenities that one may never use but its nice to have them if you desire.

• 

  Love this car! - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By DonnaG - October 11 - 10:00 am

  We loved the Amanti as soon as we test drove it. Got a great deal for all the bells and whistles. Comfort is exceptional. The AC is terrific with climate control for the driver and passenger as well as back seat. The sound system is awesome. We were looking at new Bonneville/Grand Prix but purchased an Amanti. Head room, with a sunroof great for a 63" person. Head hit the sunroof of the Grand Prix.

• 

  Went with the KIA hybrid - 2011 Kia Optima
  By gmafb - October 10 - 1:07 pm

  Bought the car and immediately drove to Las Vegas from Phoenix in July. The air conditioned seats were very much appreciated. Gas mileage turned out to be precisely as advertised. Around town mileage is between 35 and 38. Have owned a Prius before and the tranny in the KIA is not CVT, so it handles the power differently. I personally dislike the CVT, so this change is good IMHO. The ride is excellent on the highway and good in town. I chose this car over the Fusion and the Sonata. The Sonatas I drove pulled to the right. The Fusion drove okay, but the ergonomics for the AC controls were downright idiotic and the exterior looks like a streamlined YUGO.

• 

  Crank shaft gear - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Lance - October 9 - 1:40 pm

  Before buying this suv do your research , mostly into weather or not the crankshaft roll pin has or is close to shearing off , the repairs will include the crankshaft gear, harmonic damper crankshaft bolt and timing belt, the repairs will exceed 1000 dollars, this part has failed on mine 3 times in less then 20000 miles, the dealer will not warranty the repairs post 6 months, its extreamly frustrating that there is no update,recall or recourse other then pony up over a grand every 8000 miles because of the same failure, poor design, poor warranty, poor reliability

• 

  great sporty car for the money - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Favian - October 9 - 12:36 am

  This is my first Kia that I have ever purchased and Im pleasantly impressed. Build quality is great and so far reliability is excellent. The gearing configuration in the automatic could use some improvement as well but overall the car is an excellent value in looks, safety, options, warranty and reliability.

• 

  Fallen out of love - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By S Miller - October 8 - 3:50 pm

  My review was excellent upon buying this vehicle, but after almost 4 years I am not excited. At 64k miles plastic coolant reservoir cracked ($200). I was 4k miles over 60k warranty. Im now at 71k and the car rides terribly. Intake manifold issues caused car to resist acceleration, covered by warranty, however the result was burned out spark plugs which cost almost $300 to repair due to their location. The more miles pile up on the vehicle the worse it rides. Currently drives like a 4 cylinder. This car will not make it to the 100k mile mark. If you are looking for a long term vehicle with good gas mileage, this one isnt it.

• 

  Sorento is truly a plus - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Sorento EX - October 8 - 1:40 am

  This point is just from the 2nd day and I am really enjoying the ride the look the comfort the stability. Still need time for mileage and reliability. Good price for the comfort and room and well equipped extras. I am happy with kia this is my 4th year into kia vehicles and I can really really on good service and good attitudes.

• 

  It saved my life!!! lots of love! - 2008 Kia Rio
  By slr1985 - October 7 - 3:01 pm

  I am writing this 2 days after I totaled my 08 Kia Rio. Very sad day. My main problem with this car is the rear defroster stopped working twice. after the 2nd time, i never bothered to get it fixed. I used to affectionately refer to it as my POS Kia, though it did get GREAT gas mileage and was always a fun and sporty drive. I loved zipping along the highway, the city, suburbia in my Rio! however, the best thing about this car is how it saved me during the worst accident ive been in. My back tire was bad, I slipped on wet highway, hit a guardrail, spun into oncoming traffic, had a head on collision with a F250 and walked away w/o a SCRATCH. Thank you for holding up, Rio!

• 

  Sporty and comfortable all in one - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Rob Townsend - October 7 - 6:20 am

  Just be certain a mid-size SUV is what you really want, I personally like everything about this vehicle