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:

• 

  EXCELLENT CAR - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By PAUL - October 24 - 2:33 pm

  Love this car. Plenty of power with the V6 engine. Drove to Pittsburgh from New York and then to upstate Saratoga NY. Averaged 25 mpg on the highway with the air conditioner on full blast. A real fun and easy car to drive. No real complaints to date.

• 

  Kias are GREAT - 2004 Kia Optima
  By dbstory - October 23 - 6:03 pm

  I traded in a brand new Nissan Sentra to get this car. The dealer went out of their way to put me in this beautiful silver V6 with power everything. So far my only problem is the battery is dead in my key FOB already. I can live with that -- the car came with two FOBS.

• 

  Cruised in comfort - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Bucmell - October 22 - 3:50 am

  I Love it, every where I go people ask me about it ... even other car dealers! I live in the Philly area and drove to the Pittsburgh area 287 miles one way. The comfort, control, power when I needed it, and handling was unparalleled. Sort of like professional athletes talking about being in "the zone" where everything is happening at a high level of performance, yet it doesnt seem to affect you while handling all the obstacles that come your way on some hard (Pennsylvania) highway miles. And the factory premium CD sound system is more than satisfying with whatever type of music you enjoy listening to. Happy trails to you!

• 

  we love it ! - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By boatingmania - October 20 - 12:53 pm

  its a pleasure to drive.rides well,the seats are confortables.feel solid and very reliable.bought it in july 2004,12000 miles and nothing wrong with it.we love it...

• 

  A Class Leader - 2011 Kia Optima
  By cpurick - October 19 - 12:52 pm

  Ive had several Audis and VWs. I was immediately taken by the Optimas styling, inside and out. It was only later that I learned it was designed by a former Audi chief designer. The Optima is a European styled version of the Hyundai Sonata, with which it shares many parts. The formula is similar to Acuras TSX, which is sold in Europe as the Honda Accord. Fit and finish are very good to excellent. Styled like an Audi, but built like an Accord. Much nicer inside than a Camry. The 200hp 4-cylinder is more than enough for a 3300lb car. Despite head-turning lines, this is not an Autobahn cruiser -- its a conventional midsize sedan, albeit a very pleasant one to spend time in.

• 

  So many pluses! - 2014 Kia Soul
  By SkinnyLinny - October 18 - 5:49 pm

  I had two Honda Elements, but as everyone knows, the Element is no longer made (huge mistake, Honda). Well the Kia Soul took the place of the Element. IT doesnt have the amount of room that the Element had, but its better looking, better mileage, Quieter, handles better, turning radius is unreal, parking a breeze. The steering wheel is about the same size as our Lexus CT200H, fits like a glove. The doors open very wide and the visibility out the front window is great. Most vehicles have a small front window, not the Soul. Love the fact that I dont have to take the headrests off to have the rear seats fold. Its really nice having a 4 door hatchback (wagon). I bought the bare bones Soul with the 6 speed manual shift. It shifts very, very smooth. Clutch feels Great and the mileage is really great.

• 

  I LOVE MY KIA SOUL - 2010 Kia Soul
  By marcgeorge - October 16 - 8:16 pm

  I never thought I would break away from the domestic / Ford models. WOW I didnt realize what I was missing !! KIA is amazing. Their build quality and craftsmanship is much better and the warranty is far better. On top of that, what a GREAT value for the price. The SOUL is a blast to drive. It is a great looking car, very comfortable, I am 64 and I have plenty of room. The power is good and the gas mileage is very good. I have never been so excited to have a new car that I REALLY love. KIA has sold me--I will be watching for what they bring out next---if its like the SOUL,they will have another winner and a customer for life. I am a very proud new KIA owner

• 

  Completely Satisfied - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Satisfied - October 15 - 3:46 am

  The vehicle is awesome to drive and a pleasure to own. I couldnt have asked for a better deal as well as incentives for a purchase of a new vehicle. Yes. Interior is cheap but for the price I cannot complain. Extremely satisfied in my purchase and will use kia again in the future!

• 

  Just put 21,000 miles on my Kia Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By trawets20 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Sorento right about a year and have now put 21,ooo miles on it.It has had no problems at all and has been a real pleasure to drive.I too was skeptical of the Kia badge ,but did alot of research before I purchased.Its turned out to be a real good vehicle so far,and for the features you get its a great choice.

• 

  My new SX turbo rocks! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Ken - October 13 - 12:11 pm

  This has everything I was looking for (SUV, size, power, styling, tech, etc.). I like German makes, but for for this level of equipment youll be spending north of $45,000. I like that this trim includes everything, no nickel and diming for options. Mine is Pacific Blue with the beige interior. I think the cool grey interior would be nice as well. Kia reliability is up there with the best in the latest surveys. Looking forward to a long ownership. Update: zero defects in the first year. Ride is a little stiff but last night I rode in a RAV4 and it was worse. Steering is nicely weighed and responsive. Transmission is excellent, always seems to be in the right gear. Love the low rpm torque pull in second and third gear. Al the tech stuff works great. Mileage could be better and the gas tank is small (15 gallons). Overall totally satisfied with my purchase.