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 FOR 1 YEAR NOW - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Bandido - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I have delivered pizzas part-time for 12 years. Out of all the cars that I have had for the job, the Rio is the best. I am at 13,000 miles now and satisfied. This is the best car purchase I have made. The stereo is GREAT, the car is as fast as a Civic, and is affordable for whatever you want to do with it. I wish I could modify the body roll with stabilizer bars though.

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  Love It - 2016 Kia Sportage
  By Ed Xiques - May 19 - 10:59 pm

  The only negative I have found is that when it is damp, initially the brakes are a little grabby. But after you use them a bit, they are fine.

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  Love it !!! - 2009 Kia Sorento
  By Corey - May 19 - 2:40 am

  Okay I will be writing back in about 6 months with an update.. Only having it for a few days I love it..

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  What Youd Not Expect - 2006 Kia Rio
  By carlovermda - May 18 - 2:03 pm

  When purchasing the car, I read that the newly redesigned Rio would utilize Hyundai technology, being a vast improvement over the old model which was based on the old Ford Aspire platform. Though a little loud at hard starts, the engine is very smooth and not hard to get off the line. The seats are VERY comfortable which is a feature that some upmarket models still have not fully embraced yet. Overall NOW this car is a formidable candidate for anyone looking for an affordable car of high value and good quality.

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  Happy what a deal - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Red57 - May 15 - 7:13 am

  Wow me and my wife love this unit very comfortable, quiet, awesome stereo, touch screen nav, cargo room heated leather, easy to reach controls on dash oh yes the smart key is to cool no need to have in hand car senses its close and will let you unlock doors, lift gate at touch of button on handles and start engine with push of button while key stored in purse or pocket. Test drove Chevy nox and the ride was no better no quieter and a lot more $$$ for same package nav, leather. And the mileage on all new cars is poor till they are broken in. Usally 1000 miles then the engine seats in then economy gets rolling get the ex lpk, pk1 package and you will smile when you compare to the competitors and no waiting

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  Solid Mid-Size family car - 2005 Kia Optima
  By cwilloughby4 - May 13 - 4:16 am

  Our 2005 Kia Optmia is a pleasure to drive and a great car for the value. The more you drive it the more you like it. Its proving to be a car for our young family. It gives us a nice highway ride on long trips although the steering is alittle vague.

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  Good bye gas , welcome clean air. - 2016 Kia Soul EV
  By Jt - May 13 - 1:22 am

  I wanted an electric car for a while but they are pricey and also some look weird unlike normal car. Then we got the amazing Tesla , yes its fast , nice and expensive. After driving a gas Kia Soul I love the way the car handle so I look into the electric options. When they have the rebate up to $13500 ( Msrp $32-$39k) I immediately jump in. Bought the ev plus fully loaded. Love it. The panorama sunroom , heated and air seat, heated steering wheels, stereo and yes a lot more than other ev offer. Fully charge it show 105 if you turn on the ac , it show 100 miles. So just assume the ac will cost you roughly 5 extra miles charged. So far driven 300 miles and love every min of it. Havent gone to a gas station for a while. I do have another car which I take long distant. THis Kia is superb in handling, no blind spot, backup camera not the best but still clear, ac is cold enough, quiet and easy to drive. Trust me is the best for that price range.

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  BMW to a KIA - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By side_show_tom - May 10 - 1:17 am

  I recently made the decision to get a moore spacious vehicle. My girlfriend recently purchased a RAV4, and we both found that vehicle outstanding. I wanted a little more room, and I also didnt want 2 of the same cars. I have been driving a BMW 5 Series Wagon for the past few years, and driving is a passion for me. I also have a Corvette. Researched and test drove several SUVs, some larger than the Sorento. The KIA was the overall winner, hands down. Definately go with the V6, the milage is almost identical, and the performance is a big step up. The size is just right, larger than most SUV crossovers, but not a tank.

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  Awesome comfortable luxury car great gas - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Daniel Ake - May 6 - 5:31 pm

  I drive Uber and all my riders are surprise by the comfort of the car they say it feels like a Lexus or a Mercedes comfort. I took guys 64 in the back and they were very comfortable with good space. I went from Houston to San Antonio appx 200milines with half a tank. And my two kids love my car i have alot of fun driving it

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  Best for your money - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Summmeyphd - May 5 - 10:00 am

  I am 51. Bought with all options. Great car for the money! The competion does not come close (after looking seriously for 3 months.) Rank with entry level Jag or mercedes at half the cost. Bought after owning a BMW, Jag and 3 Cadillacs. Well kept secret!