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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  Mixed bag - 2002 Kia Rio
  By treacherousdad - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I love my little Kia... except that this year has many problems. You either get one that will last forever, or you get an utter lemon. My luck has given me the latter. These things have a nasty habit of bad grounds, blowing head gaskets, and having sensors go out... all at a premium cost if you can even find the parts. If the car were more reliable, I would recommend it to anyone. What I love is the handling. The car is fun to toss around in S-turns and roundabouts. I like the interior and it is comfortable. RPM spin a little high on the freeway, but then the motor is tiny, so what do you expect.

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  Great car for Kia - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By gopajo - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I’ve had the car for a couple of months now and I just love to drive it. Gas mileage a little lower than I had hoped for when I drove it up north with it last week. Averaged a little more MPG than our old “06” Mazda van. My wife loves the car also especially the heated seats and back up camera.

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  Lovin every minute of it - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By misfit - May 8 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Kia. We are a big Chevy family, and I was a little hesitant on the Kias. Wanted a relatively loaded vehicle with low financing and low price tag. Was sold on the Sportage the minute I drove it. Very comfortable (I have a bad back). Has a lot of features for a stick shift car. Recently took it on a 6 hour drive to another state. Couldnt have been happier--very comfortable, and 27 mpg.

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  Update of 9-24-2010 Review - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By sarge - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Like any 1st year new model, things go wrong. Took in to dealer to check on "soft brake pedal". If I pumped it (which should not be done to ABS system) it would be firmer. Well, it turns out needs new master cylinder! Never heard of one going bad on a new car! Dealer has to order. The sun roof chatters going back. Had grease put on at last service. Still does it. May need new rails! Headlight beams set too low. Needs adjustment. Steering wheel seems not level. Car drifts to the right with hands off wheel. Hope 4 wheel adjustment fixes it. Kia customer service has been great! Wheel adjustment normally is not under warranty. But I wont be charged. See my 9-24-2010 comments about our rating.

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  Decent value for a second vehicle. - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Dan O - May 7 - 10:03 pm

  Looked around for an inexpensive second vehicle for the wife. Considered sedans(e.g cobalt, g5, focus & corolla), but eventually I stumble upon a fully loaded kia sportage. It was exactly what she needed to get around town, it had 4x4, lots of room and 4 doors. Sure it was a little underpowered, but around the city she really didnt really need to be a speed demon. The 4x4 works great in snowy conditions, the storage capacity in the back is functional (Fit a dresser in the kia, even with the back seats not able to lye flush with the back). The aluminum rims can be a pain, especially with air pressure loss. This vehicle is fun, practical, and for us has been a valued purchase.

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  Every ride make me smile! - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Geowizard - May 7 - 7:41 pm

  Hands down, the most comfortable, quiet, refined ride of any car I have ever driven. The styling is great, the car just sounds solid when closing the doors, and the thought Kia put into the design shows throughout. We went with the top model and the extras that brings makes long trips really enjoyable. I have driven Sorentos as rental cars over the past 7-8 years but vowed Id never own one due the the fairly harsh ride. But the 2016 is a true game changer!! Its the first time my wife has ever said "I love this car"! Me too!

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  A great little run about and a real value - 2011 Kia Soul
  By landric - May 7 - 6:49 pm

  My wife & I traded our 2004 Dodge Caravan SE on a base model Soul. We bought the Caravan used in 2009 when we discovered the day before our twin sons were born that a rear facing car seat did not fit behind the drivers seat of our 2006 Matrix and still allow me enough room to drive. Last year we purchased a new 2009 Kia Sedona on clearance for a great price as our primary family vehicle. Because of our great experience with the Sedona, we decided to look at the Soul for an around town run about, primarily for my wife. We went with the base 1.6/5-Speed to maximize economy and value. With the owner loyalty rebate we paid less than $13,000, this little car is a fantastic value & fun!

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  Here we go again - 2011 Kia Optima
  By rockinrn - May 7 - 2:42 am

  I am rewriting the review of my 2011 Optima EX because my original review and many other drivers reviews have disappeared. I have owned the car for 5 months now and I can say that it is a very good value. The interior and exterior styling are very modern and eye-catching. The quality of the materials is above average and the car has many standard features such as Bluetooth, leather-trimmed interior and a 6-speed automatic transmission. However there is bad with the good. The seats are hard and acceleration is unimpressive. AND boy is this car noisy on the freeway. Tire roar/wind noise is so LOUD that it is impossible to carry on a conversation with out practically yelling.

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  2017 Kia Sportage - Beautiful but with Problems - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Renee Jones - May 6 - 1:52 am

  I purchased my 2017 Kia Sportage with 34 miles on it on September 6th. 9 days later it has 347 miles on it, and I am having some problems. The past three mornings the car turns over a few times before starting. This morning after it started, it acted like it wanted to cut off. The car does a lot of transmission shifting when driving in slower traffic, and sometimes it doesnt accelerate unless you press the gas pedal pretty hard. When stopped at red lights, its starting to have noise and vibration.

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  Luxury Value and Good MPG - 2007 Kia Amanti
  By Chuck - May 5 - 11:03 pm

  I purchased my Amanti because I wanted a comfortable car with all the options without a high price tag. I have owned Mercedes, Lincoln and Cadillac and find this car very satisfying. As others have said, it doesnt have the "road handling" of a Euro car, but it amazingly fast and solid feeling. My trip computer consistently records 27.5 MPG on the highway at 70 miles per hour. I couldnt believe it myself. This is my second KIA and I will buy a third.