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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  Happy kia Owner - 2004 Kia Optima
  By HappyKiaDriver - July 23 - 10:00 am

  After reading a few of these reviews I decided to post one of my own. I have owned my Kia less than 4 months and have put over 10,000 miles one it. While I must admit the engine is a little noise at idle the ride on the road is extremely quiet. Trying to figure out where other people get the noisy comment from. I have been extremely pleased with the ride and fuel milage from my Kia. It is a nice sedan to drive, not a sporty performer but I knew that when I bought the car. Over all for the money I think the car is a comfortable and quiet ride and an enjoyable car to own.

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  Now fixed and so far ok - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By regy65 - July 22 - 7:00 pm

  Bought vehicle at 200 miles on it misfire in engine, and needed new intake manifold, so far so good, Stiff ride across country compared to other suv., noisy front end suspension over rough roads or bumps this should be addressed by kia since a little to loud for a brand new suv. down hill assist works good on a steep steep hill. the 4x4 lock in option is great but yet left in just standard awd works well that way also. Head lights are a little to dim for me and my wife at night. So I hope that Kia does some TSP,s on the items that I have suggested, would help me to buy Kia again, we will see and keep you posted

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  I have to admit, I like this car - 2011 Kia Soul
  By kaz411 - July 22 - 11:14 am

  This is my first Kia, kind of bought it on a whim and had some buyers remorse initially but it has worn off. Miles were very low, and the car still runs and looks new. I drive for UBER on the weekends and live in AZ, so this car has had some wear and tear on it and has done very well so far. My passengers like the car, they say a lot its roomier than it looks and it is a fairly comfortable ride, even at higher freeway speeds. I do agree the shocks and struts should be a little stronger but most passengers say its a smooth ride. Ice cold a/c, large console area and glove box to keep my goodies in, pockets behind seats hold water, etc.

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  "Made" in USA - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Mark Tulip - July 22 - 6:48 am

  Assembled here with US engine and US transmission. Best warranty in the market that I have seen. Rides and handles well. Slightly underpowered accelerating onto highway smoothly with 4 cylinder standard engine. Smallish rear window.

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  Great value! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Smarty - July 21 - 2:50 pm

  Outstanding value. This car has the Convenience Package and is loaded. The quality and feel of the leather seats and interior materials are outstanding. I love to drive this car. I think my friends and family are tired of me telling them how much I enjoy my Kia. Comfortable and smooth ride. Loaded with all the convenience features at an outstanding price with a great warranty. Fun to drive with good power when needed. 4 Cyl is great on gas mileage and ECO mode helps you save even more gas. In cold climate heated mirrors and seats are nice to have. I am a new Kia fan.

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  One Fine Machine - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Charlie - July 21 - 10:20 am

  One fine little Machine Averaging 33 miles to gallon. Handling and Performance is excellent. Finally bought something that doesnt look like everything else on the highway. As for the Kia Soul I dont think I could have bought anything out there that satisfies myself and my wife more then Kia Soul

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  Great for a minivan - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By acs938 - July 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Sedona because we needed the practical family vehicle. It came fully loaded with leather seats for under $23,000. It fits the five us nicely, but is lacking in the trunk space dept. like all other minivans. It has a very smooth ride and I like the pickup and handling. Sleek style too! Used it to go on a road trip, and logged in 1200 miles within the first week, nice and comfortable.

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  Kia Sedona - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Keith Philipps - July 21 - 10:00 am

  After visiting all the other Minivan dealers and looking at what they were offering compared to the Kia Sedona, their was no doubt in mine and my wifes mind that the Sedona was our first choice.

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  Happy Owner - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Vipe - July 21 - 9:30 am

  Really like the car! Very stylish and quality looking interior and exterior. Powerful engine goes up hills easily. Has never broken since I have owned it. I bought it used 10 months ago with 23,000 miles and now it has 44,000 miles. Warranty is great if you ever need to use it(so far I have not needed it). This is my second Kia, my first was a 2002 Optima V6. It also was very reliable and I drove it to 78,000 miles before selling it to one of my relatives. There are now 4 Kia owners in my family now. This car is one of the best kept secrets in my opinion.

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  Much better than I ever expected - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By typer_801 - July 19 - 7:53 pm

  Saw all the great press from the car mags, consumer reports, IIHS, etc. and then saw the massive incentives and really incredible prices at the end of the year... they seemed too good to pass up. We wanted an Odyssey, but, even at invoice it was $6-7K more than the Sedona. That pushed me over the edge and we decided to give Kia a chance. So far its far exceeded my expectations. While not perfect, for what we paid, we have no complaints.