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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  Great car - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Gordon - August 24 - 1:53 pm

  Actually purchased used after having been a Hertz Rental. Have had the car for over a year and it has performed flawlessly. Comfortable to drive as the leather seats are heated and can be positioned for comfort - with lumbar support! Only complaint is economy. About 24MPG on the highway and 19MPG in town. Our previous car was a 97 Cadillac V-8 that had better gas mileage but not near as fun to drive as our KIA Amanti.

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  Good looking ride - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Raylan - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Purchase a 2004 Sorento, used from Kia of Santa Ana, CA. The dealer was great. No pressure, no hassles. Did everything I asked before taking the truck. Everything except the mileage is good to go. Nice style, quite ride, although a bit rough at time in the back seats. Several before paid off but if a few things improve (see suggested improvements), I will purchase another Sorento when the time comes.

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  Decent for the price - 2009 Kia Sorento
  By gato6464 - August 23 - 6:44 am

  We got a 2009 Kia sorento used. It really is a nice running car. It drives very well for only a 6cylinder. Plenty of get up and go power. The interior is kinda cheap. We have had no problems other than the rear differential going bad. Luckily for us it was under warranty. I suggest keeping a head up on the maintenance or else they may not cover parts that go bad.

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  Most bang for your money! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Sightland - August 23 - 4:40 am

  This is first econobox in 20 some years but I have driven many rentals. Soul! is THE most vehicle for your hard earned money. I am saving money on gas, insurance, and tax. All the interior plastics are of good quality and much better visually. textured plastics give much more expensive "feel" and it sure does look better than what I find in my 2010 Lexus-RX350. I have the 03/2010 built date Soul and there may have been revision but I cant see how plastic can scratch anymore than others. This is probably the coolest car around with unique but functional design. I have compared this with xB and Soul is hands down winner. So much technology and safety as standard, I cant believe $18k price.

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  From a M3 to a Kia? - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Mark - August 22 - 11:40 am

  Thats what we did, from a 2003 M3 Convertible to a spicy red sx loaded with leather heated seats and sunroof. This Forte is an amazing little car with many standard features. We started to look for a car that would give us great gas milage and be big enough to take on short trips to Flordia. This car is very roomy and gives us plenty of space. Me and my wife both love the car. We drove over 500 miles in a clunker to pick it up. The drive home was great and got 33 mpg with the air full on. Kia did a great job putting great standard features such as heated outside mirrors, bluetooth, ipod in, steering wheels controls, and triple airbags, traction control, stability control and abs.

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  check manufacture date before buying - 2010 Kia Sedona
  By gene - August 21 - 10:56 pm

  The 2010 sedona is basically the same as the previous year van. With a few exceptions. I traded in a 2006 sedona for the 2010.The differences I notice are. Rear spoiler was standard on 2010 Rear view cameria, seen in mirror, on the 2010. Paint job I believe is nicer on the 2010. Changes inside from my 2006 are. only one glove box on 2010 there were 2 on the 2006. No slide out cup holders on center console in the 2010. Now the reason to check the manufactered date. Kia motors magazine "Open Road" States "All new Kia vehicles now feature HD Radio". You would assume all 2010 vehicals would have this. NOT SO .Kia told me My 2010 was produced in Aug.2009 so it I dont get it .

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  I love my Rondo! - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Liss - August 21 - 10:10 pm

  I replaced a Jeep Id had for 6 years. I wanted a car offering good visibility, top safety features, good styling, heated leather seats, easy to get in and out of, not too glitzy, good compartments for storage. I did not need a 3rd row of seats. I drove the comparable cars, as well as other Kia models; chose the Rondo because it offered everything I was looking for. I would not compare the Rondo to minivans, no matter what reviewers say - its in a class of its own. I get compliments all the time. Its sporty, attractive exterior styling, and roomy interior. It holds a lot of cargo! Ive owned my Rondo for over a year, and Id definitely buy another one

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  LOVE THIS CAR - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By TOTEM12 - August 20 - 3:03 pm

  We love our new Sportage. Great fit and finish. Is quiet, handles well with comfort, suspension tuning is excellent. Doors close with a solid "chunk". Fog lights are great. Love the big climate controls. Comfortable seats. An excellent value.

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  What a deal - 2011 Kia Soul
  By Jim - August 19 - 6:05 pm

  Affordable, relaible, and no problems. Bluetooth, terrific sound system, traction control. Room enough for my wife and I, our two small children and a double stroller in the trunk. I am 6 feet tall and fit comfortably in the front seat. Everyone is always supprised with the ammount of room inside the vehicle.

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  Concerned about the reviews here - 2007 Kia Optima
  By starsky - August 19 - 12:03 pm

  Transmission and engine problems abound in some of these reviews. My wife drives the car most of the time and has had a transmission flush done because she though the transmission was "funny". No more tranny complaints. I drive 80+ miles to work each way and got 35+ MPG maintaining 55 to 62 MPH. No problems other than a rattle in the overhead reading lamps which the dealer took care of promptly. Car now has 42000 miles and runs even better. First 5000 miles or so the car seemed to struggle in cruise control as the engine raced to maintain speed. However, car no longer misses a beat except for the steepest inclines.