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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  Could not ask for better - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By jnell - June 7 - 12:59 pm

  I bought my Sorento 11 months ago and absolutely love everything about it. The features, the design, the ride, gas mileage, etc. In 11 months, I have put 20,000 miles on it and never had any problems. The only thing it has ever gone to the dealership for is oil and tire rotations. I hit a deer about 5 months after having it. I was worried with it being a new car parts would be different, etc. It runs awesome after being repaired and I cant even tell anything is different about it. I love my vehicle, its everything I want. I wont buy anything but Kia from now on due to the service and awesome warranty. Nothing bad to say after having it 20,000 miles, absolutely love it!!!!!!

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  Transmission - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Beverly - June 7 - 12:23 am

  The car drove good, but at 20,000 miles the Transmission went out. Kia repaired it at no cost. I do not feel that I have a new car any longer. I have asked Kia to give me a new vehicle but they only offer to pay 1 month payment.

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  Not too sure yet - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Alexis - June 6 - 11:16 pm

  Overall I have had no problems with my Optima and have gotten many compliments on it. Im still not sure its the car for me, but it has performed well. The gas mileage in town isnt very exciting but the car rides so smooth and handles very well. Cant beat the fact it came with some free oil changes and a great warranty either. Overall Im pleased with the look of the car, inside and out, and the performance of the car. There are several little things that really annoy me however. 10 in reliability because that remains to be seen.

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  never buy again - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By prettylady - June 6 - 12:12 pm

  I bought a Kia van in 2002 the first one they made it was ok I drove it every day. The 2007 does not add up. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA of any kind. You never see them rated with the best cars to buy. I like the exterior the look of it the paint job last for 2 years, the engine light come on in all of them. I have several friend with kia cars and the engine light can on in every ones car I new. kia will not help you with the complaint you have about there cars.

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  2012 EX Optima - Amazing Value - 2013 Kia Optima
  By jerryk007 - June 6 - 3:46 am

  Now a proud owner for 1 year. Overall average mpg 24.0+. Great ride and I am amazed by the acceleration of this hot 4 cylinder! Interior finish is excellent and the leather is tops. I am still wondering how this KIA is so well priced that anyone would buy a Toyota! Thus far no mechanical or build problems at all. Cons: Only one! The steering wheel is a bit to "slick" to grip.

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  Just so you know - 2004 Kia Rio
  By pixiewannabe - June 4 - 10:00 am

  For the cost, I love this car, it does what I need it to do, get me to and from places.

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  2009 Kia Sorrento - 2009 Kia Sorento
  By Mauer MVP - June 3 - 8:33 pm

  Overall I am very happy with the Kia Sorento. It has a lot of power and rides very smoothly over bumps! The view is great fwd and aft when driving and so far gets good gas mileage 425 miles on a full tank equals 24 MPH highway/local streets!

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  Good Choice - 2009 Kia Optima
  By 1st Time Kia Owner - June 2 - 1:43 pm

  Traded in a gas hogging Ford Windstar. It served us well for 8 yrs. but it started to have electrical problems at 90K miles. I told the wife that I was going to buy her an import this time because everybody knows they are more reliable, last longer, and you generally get a fair trade in value. I took a long time shopping on the internet and this Kia Optima was by far the best value for the money. As others have stated the standard equip. is very generous. But that was not the main reason I purchased this vehicle. It was safety. Heres a quote from the carconnection.com: " When it comes to crash-test ratings, you wont find many better than that of the Kia Optimas. 10/10 crash test."

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  Sop far so good - 2002 Kia Rio
  By OldBear3468 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Twotanks of gas and one freeway trip equals suprising improvement in my 2003 Rio, which , though they have been out two months Edmunds fails to note. P is up to 104 and power windows are available. At 6 and 250 Im comfortable in the cabin at all speeds.

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  WHATS NOT TO LIKE - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By SNOWBOUND - June 2 - 2:00 am

  FOR $4000 MORE THAN A USED HONDA ODDESSY WITH 80,000 MILES, I GOT A LOADED EX, THAT RIDES GOOD, HANDLES GREAT, SMOOTH ENGINE, V GOOD CD/CASSETTE PLAYER, LEATHER SEATS-WHATS NOT TO LIKE. I GET 16 CITY 22 HWY, NOT BAD AND ABOUT THE SAME AS MY OLD MAZDA MPV, BUT MUCH ROOMIER, AND SMOOTHER ENGINE-NICE TRANNNY ALSO