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:

• 

  good vehical - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By gachase21 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  good car, would recomend buying it, like the quality and inside the most

• 

  Great SUV Value for Your Buck - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By KathyS - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I did a lot of research when I decided to buy an SUV. I wanted a moderate price, a good warranty, and a lot of luxury in a great looking car. Sounds like a lot to ask for, right? But the Sorento has exceeded my expectations so far. I get compliments on the looks of the car. The warranty is the best in the business. The luxurious interior and great features with the luxury package leave me wanting for nothing. Who needs navigation anyway with Mapquest?!?

• 

  MY KIA SORENTO EX - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By EFREN HERNANDEZ - April 3 - 2:00 am

  AT FIRST I SAID KIA? THEN I WENT ON A TEST DRIVE AND I LOVED IT. THE PRICE AND OPTIONS ON THE SUV ARE MORE THAN WHAT EXPECTED FROM THIS KOREAN SUV I LOOKED AT MANY SUV IN SAME PRICE RANGE AND GOT LESS OPTIONS,STRIP DOWN SUVS THAT WERE NOT FUN TO DRIVE WITH BASIC EQUIPMENT.

• 

  05 SPORTAGE LX-6CYL, - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By jr - April 2 - 6:33 pm

  The new Kia Sportage is very roomy on the inside, and there is lots of room for backseat passengers. When I first saw the Sportage, I couldnt believe it! The size of this new compact suv, it sure has nothing in common with previous models. The ride is carlike and smooth, quiet, and comfortable. The stereo and ac controls are easily in reach. The steering wheel tilts to adjust to the driver, and the seats have lumbar adjustments. When comparing the Sportage to other suvs, the standard safety equipment which includes 6 airbags, ABS, traction control and the awesome 100,000 miles warranty made the choice an easy one. I highly suggest you test drive this vehicle, youll be happy you did!!

• 

  update on my previous review - 2012 Kia Optima
  By arubin - April 2 - 2:25 am

  I am now at 4300 miles on my Kia optima ex turbo and it still a great trill to drive it as it was during my first few weeks of driving the Kia.Furthermore once this car really breaks in and you totally know what to expect on your driving experience, I feel even more confidence when driving at higher speeds.Still very solid and a ride without any rattles no matter how bad the road surface might be.I could not be happier with this car and hope this experience continues.

• 

  The best economy car there is. - 2017 Kia Forte
  By Charles S - April 1 - 9:30 pm

  I have owned this car since brand new, today marks one year of me having it. My MPG is at least 15% higher than the mileage shown on the sticker, I get at least 40 on the highway when Im not even trying to be conservative. The car has 25k miles, and I have not had a single issue. I drove cross country with my Forte, and it excelled above any rental Ive ever driven in comfort , efficiency, and acceleration on the highway. I would highly, highly recommended the Forte. Plus, Kia gave me 3 years free routine maintenance, awesome customer service, they care that you come back.

• 

  Big Car with Big MPG! - 2006 Kia Optima
  By philipthompson51 - March 31 - 3:50 am

  We tried both the v6 and the 4 cylinder, and found that the performance was almost identical due to the lighter curb weight of the 4 cylinder and only about 20 hp difference. I measured a zero to 60 time of 9 seconds, which is almost the same as the v6, but the 4 is good for a rated highway mpg of 34, and on a trip I got a full 35 mpg, and have averaged over 25 mpg average with lots of city driving.Why buy a tiny car when you can get a larger car that does equally well in mpg? I love the appearance package and the black perforated leather interior, and am glad that for 2007 they have added a couple of options that were not available on mine. This is my third Kia, and all have been great.

• 

  Kia Amanti - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By MarMel - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Too new to know real mileage yet. Smoothest, softest ride. Pleasure to drive. Seems to have every convenience possible. LOVE IT1!!!

• 

  A CAR AND A HALF - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By GUMTEM - March 29 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is beautiful wild raging animal under control just rearing to go. It surges and turns on a dime upon command and yet, with all that horse power under the hood, purrs like a domestic kitten. For me, definately the best buy for an SUV on todays market.

• 

  Amazing value in a midsize sport sedan - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Rick Sandstrom - March 28 - 1:33 pm

  I test drove Fusions, Camrys, Accords, Sonatas and this is the one that impressed me the most. It just felt good. I liked the way it handles and the interior design, materials and layout is incredible. Most room of any in its class. I have the appearance package with the great 6 CD + MP3 player. I can get 60 albums in MP3 format on 6 CDs. The performance Michelins are every thing their advertised to be and definitely add to the already great handling. If they put a larger 6 cyl in this thing it would be a monster!