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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  I dont think you can do better f - 2009 Kia Rondo
  By Sloppy - November 23 - 1:26 am

  Bought it new,now has 20k km. this is an 09 EX 5 seater 2.4l. No other car offers ABS, ESC,traction control and 4 wheel discs, heated seats, mirrors and a WIPER de-icer! in this class or for the money. The four cylinder engine is smooth and you can barely hear it at idle. I dont understand people complaining about a lack of power. Top of second gear is over 60 mph, how much freeway merging power do you need? Build quality is second to none in my opinion. Quiet inside, very roomy, standard 6 speaker stereo is excellent, with Bluetooth and a USB port as well. Steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls. Nicely weighted steering. Very smooth to drive. There is very little not too like

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  Under-rated car, 5speed GSX is KING!! - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By natedawg - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Very fun, economical, practical and sporty car. I really am pleased with the car. The hatchback GSX allows me to throw whatever I need in there. Ive had a few electrical problems with the cruise control and dash lights but both are fixed now. The car warms up quick in the winter, very economical to drive (40+mpg) driving it nice. No transimisson problems with the 5 speed!

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  Buying the unknown - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Ron Martin - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I like the Amanti’s quirky exterior style, it is different. The transmission shifts effortlessly. The leather seats are soft and comfortable and the seat warmers provide fast and uniform heat to the bottom and backs of the seats. The standard 17" alloy wheels look stylish. The interior is very spacious with ample head and legroom. The interior is elegant with pseudo wood grain accents throughout the entire passenger compartment. The car engine warms up quickly and is ready to provide heat, via independent dual and rear climate controls. Really, the only down is the low mileage.

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  Great vehicle - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Bravo - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I love my Kia. I get alot of complaments from people I know and dont know. The ride is smooth and it is an affordable suv with luxury options. It looks like a lexus, feels like one, has all the options for half the price. Overall this is a great vehicle. My next vehicle will be a newer model of the Sorento.

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  Great Deal for the Money! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Tara - November 20 - 4:10 pm

  Ive had my Kia for a year and I absolutely love it! I had to take it in for a recall for the passenger airbag sensor and also for a broken clip on the seatbelt and in the overhead console. Outside of these minor issues, I have nothing negative to report. The car provides an excellent ride and is comparable to other SUVs in regards to gas consumption. I only have to fill up once a month under local driving conditions. Auto reviews that I have read provide a really accurate description in all aspects. The only negative that I have found, which is exactly what has been reported in reviews I have read, is that you definitely feel the potholes and bumps that you hit. Great deal for the money!

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  Best SUV for the money - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Carlover - November 20 - 11:22 am

  Leased this SUV for 3 years this past week. I choose the snow white pearl with merlot leather interior. I traded 2 other vehicles in for this one as my wife and I didnt need 2 since we are retired. I have leased over 20 vehicles in the past 20 years including BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Lexus. The Sorento is one of the best vehicles I have ever leased. I have the SX with Advanced Technology package which includes Lane Departure Warning, Advanced smart cruise control, Forward Collision Warning Autonomous Emergency Warning and Electronic Parking Brake. I added remote start and Home link rear view mirror. The build quality is exceptional, doors close with a solid thud like the German cars, and interior quality is as good or better than Lexus RX350. Interior noise levels are exceptionally low with no tire hiss being heard in the rain which makes listening to the very good 10 speaker Infinity sound system even better. Heated and ventilated front seats are great along with the heated steering wheel. The 3rd row isnt that roomy but I will probably not use it that much but cargo room behind the second row is very good. If you will use the 3rd row often this may not be your best choice. Reliability isnt known yet since I only have 650 miles on the SUV. I hope this helps anyone looking to purchase an suv.

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  Love my optima - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Patricia - November 19 - 9:21 pm

  I bought the car 2012, new. Drives nice, good mpg, a little noisy, trouble shutting trunk. Drivers seat starting to feel springs 4 yrs out. Maintenance, knowing your manual is key to keeping engine &transmission in good shape. 74000 miles to date..no repairs, just maintenance.

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  I Lied - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Mike n Barb - November 19 - 10:00 am

  After owning Kia Sportage & finding out the depreciation I said "I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA". 3 yrs old, 60K miles and worth only $3.5K to $4K on trade at 6 dealers. I found this out after falling for the SEDONA. Tax, tag, title, out the door for $14,500 & my 1999 Sportage. May have done better with more time (had to leave for daughters wedding in 1 hr). 1,800 miles since purchase 11 days ago. We Love It. Highway 75-85mph 19.75mpg and climbing. 1st tank 16.3mpg.

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  A Solid Bullseye... - 2012 Kia Optima
  By kitchendzyn - November 19 - 3:41 am

  This car far exceeded my expectations. I traded in my 09 Audi A4 for this car and have zero buyers remorse. It handles better on turns, takes the bumps better and accelerates as well or better than the Audi. But the most noticeable difference is the controls function easily without digging thru menus. I have owned 3 Lexus and 1 Audi before this car and if you looking for style, function and fun to drive, this Optima SX handily beats them. Koreans are a proud people and are over achievers. They have designed and built a very good automobile. Some of my friends would never buy a Kia, not enough of a status symbol for them. They dont know what they are missing.

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  It is cool, not expensive and.....it is a hybrid!!!!!!!! - 2011 Kia Optima
  By luisguido - November 18 - 2:40 pm

  I am a Hybrid guy (previously owned a Prius, then a Camry, the a Fusion and finally an Insight (I average 28000 miles per year). I bought my Optima Hybrid three weeks ago and I already drove 2,765 miles. Guys with this car you can have all of the above: the Camry comfort, the Fusion solidity, the Insight low price, and if you drive your Optima Hybrid by placing an egg between you foot and the accelerator, you can get 32/38/43 miles per gallon - trust me, I get that all the time.