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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  Premium Car for Undervalued Price!!! - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Scott - March 4 - 2:40 pm

  This car is Amazing! Coming from a Detroit Union raised native (typically purchases GM, Ford & Chrysler vehicles) I decided to take a look at one for the warranty of 10YR/or/100K Miles, whichever comes first. Nice driving give me 30 mpg hwy and the automatic stick shift allows me to have optimal usage in passing slow cars. Plenty of get up and go in the 4 cylinder...technology is incredible as 2009 KIAs may introduce MSFT software in them!!! Drives incredible and has hard hitting stock sound system (from Detroit Rock City). Be sure to go to your dealer and take one for a spin.

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  DO NOT BUY - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By hwoodward - March 2 - 1:36 pm

  I bought my Sorento in March of 2010 and started having problems with it in May. I have had it in the shop 41 days and counting since then. It will stall going 55-70mph and lose power until you stomp the gas again. Kia has been horrible to us and now they have the vehicle and are not providing us a car to drive because and I quote "this is only a nuissance not a safety issue!" I am a mother of a little boy and they may not care but I do care if something happens with my child in the car. We have turned the case over to BBB and am praying for the best. Do not buy if you want reliablity and service after the sell.

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  Good quality for price - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By tac2k - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Kia has come a long way. We were very skeptical of buying a Kia, let alone a brand new model with no track record. By the features offered at the price, and the warranty provided convinced us to take the chance. It was definately worth it. We speak very high of Kia to all our friends, and Im giving Kia very strong consideration for my next commuter car!

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  The Blue Streak - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By WickedMobile - March 1 - 7:06 am

  I love my "5". I bought this vehicle based on MPG, price, storage capacity, safety, and comfort for the two of us. Its very devious in how small it looks outside, but how big on room it is inside. My fiancé is 63", 300lbs and isnt cramped. Knee room good. Passengers in the back have great room too. There are a lot of places to put stuff. Strong A/C. Handling is great for this compact car (dry). I went from a V6 to this 4 cylinder, and the only difference I see is that one needs a lot more oomph to accelerate rather quickly (It does use more gas in hillier areas.) Use the cruise! It took me a week to get used to no ABS. Sound system plays better with CDs than on AM/FM.

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  Meh...just a basic car - 2004 Kia Optima
  By shannonm1 - March 1 - 4:01 am

  This car is very reliable, but no fun. The style is very bland inside and out, there is no power behind acceleration, the V6 guzzles gas like an SUV or truck would. I owned a little 4 cylinder Hyundai Elantra before this car, and I really miss it. I went from filling the gas tank every 2 weeks to filling it every week now. This car is like a tank, heavy, safe, reliable, I would take it anywhere, but have no fun getting there. I just dont like the way it handles. I got this car with 75,000 miles on it, so Im probably stuck with it for awhile. It hasnt broken down on me yet.

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  A Jewel - 2015 Kia Sorento
  By researcher21 - February 29 - 10:11 pm

  Our family is thrilled with our 2015 KIA Sorento Ex. It is an absolute pleasure to drive. The extra row of seats in back is a wonderful addition. Surprisingly roomy in 2nd row. The responsiveness of voice program and sound system along with other techno gadgets are great! Incredible Steering..will turn as sharp as a motorcycle!!! First week went on a trip, drove it a thousand miles through interstate and city traffic in Orlando and it got a hard to believe average of 26 mpg..Yes this is a keeper!!!!! To top it off the rear view camera makes handling the SUV easy as pie. WOW I could say more. ..this was thoughtfully made --a great deal! Thanks KIA! We are sooo happy!

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  New Soreno - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Mrs. Billy Hawkins - February 29 - 7:46 am

  I recently bought a Kia Sorento because I was having problems with my Dodge Dakota that was not covered by warranty. I prefer manual transmissions, so when I saw how nice the interior was, and the performance of the Sorento, I told my husband this is what I want. I saved myself $40.00 a month in payments, and I love how this vehicle gets around. It has a wonderful warranty, and has plenty of room with comfort. The only thing I might have done differently if I did it over would be to get leather for the interior, because I dress up a lot, and it is hard to keep my clothes straight on velour seating, but it feels great. The gas mileage is not great, but neither was my Dakota.

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  Excellent gas sipper - 2008 Kia Rio
  By Glenn - February 28 - 3:16 am

  If youre looking for an inexpensive ride thats great on gas, the Kia Rio is all you need! I bought the 4 door base to use as my "run around" car and I am getting 39 MPG based on about a 60% stop-and-go and 40% highway driving ratio. Its the best no frills car out there, easily the best bang for the buck. I never thought Id buy a Kia/Hyundai, but with gas prices being what they are and just needing some basic wheels, this car hits the target dead on!

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  Unhappy owner, Warranty too costly - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By unhappy owner - February 28 - 1:33 am

  I am very unhappy now that I find out how much the "warranty" is going to cost ME. As dealer stated..Required to do at 30K; plugs, AC system flush, Coolant system flush, LOF...cost of over $700 at dealer. At 60K it will need a timing belt, etc. that is over $700 too. All need to be done at a KIA dealer, nobody else can do. This stuff never mentioned when they wanted to make the sale! The 100K warranty is a joke, any car will last if you do all that stuff. I have had 3 sets of brakes on it, front struts, tires wearing off, replaced twice. Check engine light comes on all the time, Alarm goes off for no known reason, The resale is worse than terrible. Have just 30K on it, hate it.

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  Nice Commute - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Consultant from Heck - February 27 - 9:00 pm

  While it wont do 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds, it will get you to and from work in excellent comfort and style. The seats are well designed and the front and side airbags assure safety on the road.