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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  Worth checking out - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By dstockdale - April 7 - 10:37 pm

  Bought my 2006 Sorento in 2009 with only 15,000 miles on it. If youd have asked me 5 years ago if Id buy a Kia, Id have told you no. This one had all the bells and whistles I wanted (heated leather seats, moon roof, etc). Being the 2nd owner, I still had 45K miles left on the bumper to bumper warranty when I purchased it and, here I am at 57,000+ miles and still thrilled. Is it a BMW? No, but I knew that going in. After 2 years of ZERO issues, Im pretty happy. Oh, it does tend to need headlight and tail lights changed frequently but whatever.... even me, a girl, was able to do that myself and for cheap. Would I recommend, yes, definitely.

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  Poor gas mileage. - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Rhonda G. - April 7 - 6:50 am

  I bought this car because my husband really liked it. I have to admit it I think it is a real cute vehicle. The only complaint I really have is I get extremely poor gas mileage. I have the LX four cylinder and get only about 12-15 mpg in the city and about 20-22 mpg on the highway. With the gas prices today I am going to have to sell it.

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  Nothing but problems - 2011 Kia Optima
  By kjanney - April 6 - 5:42 pm

  I was so excited when I puchased my Kia Optima last June. However, that quickly changed. Two weeks after purchase, the turbo blew out while we were on vaction. It took forever to be fixed because parts on a new car were not readily avaiable. Once we got it back, the Turbo blew out AGAIN in less than a month. Not to mention that the alignment has been out since I bought the car. The Turbo hasnt blown out since the 2nd failure, but the alignment continues to be out, even after multiple attempts to fix it. Im tired of fighting the steering wheel to stay on the road. The car looks slick, and has cool features, but I cant keep this one. Looking for another car.

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  Not a bad car - 2006 Kia Rio
  By xntexan - April 6 - 5:30 am

  Pretty good car for the money. Auto transmission very sluggish, but the manual has decent performance. Comfortable ride but excessive road noise. Great fuel economy and spacious for small car. The interior panels are a bit cheap, scratch easily. Plenty of safety features. Overall I highly recommend for an economy car.

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  Optima - 2009 Kia Optima
  By gojo - April 5 - 6:03 pm

  I was originaly looking to replace my 2000 Hyundai Accent with a new one, when I came accross the 2009 optima for $500 more. I honestly only drove the Sonata and Optima. The Sonata has a nicer interior, but seems to float down the road more than the Optima and was $2000 more than the New Accent I was originaly looking at. Being strickly a lowest cost for the best milage type of guy I settled on the Optima for $15500. Acording to Edmunds specifications page, this car seems to be right in the hunt with other midsize sedans when it comes to safety, quality and room. Being owned by Hyundai , I felt secure in buying this car, since my last car from them cost $500 for repairs in 100,000 miles.

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  Poor Sevice Department - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By tgh1357 - April 5 - 8:10 am

  Bought new. 1 week later found out sunroof leaked due to poor manufacturing. Fought with dealership to fix (said we probably walked on the roof!) Finally fixed, but had paint overspray all over vehicle. Passenger air bag didnt work. Kia service told me to sit with legs tightly squeezed and it would work! Finally agreed to fix it. Sent seat out for repair. Scratched door jams really bad and gave me touch up paint to fix a new vehicle myself! Too many headlight changes to mention. Dome light motor replaced, electric seat motor replaced. Paint very, very thin and dents easily. Dealing with below surface rust on the tailgate now. Rims have corroded beyond belief and look terrible.

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  Oops, I lost in the used car game - 2004 Kia Optima
  By nbafreak2007 - April 4 - 2:00 pm

  I bought this car in the summer of 09 with 63k miles. I had i checked out and all was well. That was the only thing that has gone right with the car. It is a money pit, I have had to replace the Clutch, flywheel, pressure plate etc along with the timing belt and water pump, and now the drivers side door will not unlock itself. This may be the worst car I have ever purchased I have invested more than 2500 in a car worth only 3000. I will never by a Kia or a Hyundai again and would recommend that no one else buy one either.

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  Just keeps running without problems - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Harry - April 4 - 4:00 am

  We bought this for the stated mileage. Our 1999 Suburban averages 11-12 mpg. The Rondo was supposed to get 29 mpg. Weve never come close. We use it primarily for getting around town (avg = 20 mpg) and an occasional trip (avg = 24 mpg). For a 4 cylinder automatic and Id hope for higher gas mileage because its such a LITTLE car compared to our Suburban. Were in our sixties and drive conservatively. Thats our only disappointment. No squeaks or rattles in 11,000 miles. We change the oil regularly. It is a VERY dependable car. Cant compare the ride with a Suburban (even ours with 200K miles). Trip distances over 100 miles are uncomfortable.

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  Kia - some problems - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By roadrunner - April 3 - 7:13 pm

  The Rondo is roomy, excellent for elderly parents to get in and out of, okay on gas, looks great and handles well. However, I am taking it back for repairs for the third time for the gear shift locking, the ESC light coming on and off, the brake does not disengage the cruise control (very scary) and now the cover on the steering wheel that covers the air bag has come loose and rattles. But, still would recommend the car for other features. Hopefully the dealership can fix these problems for good this time. Did I get the only lemon? After having the 2004 Optima, I was very impressed with Kia and its warranty program.

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  my experience - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Laila - April 3 - 10:00 am

  it is a good car have took it all around