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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  Over 200k! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By nobother - April 2 - 8:00 am

  I purchased mine used 6 years ago to get me through the snowy mountains of Virginia, and it has never let me down. I drive it about 3500 miles per month and so far these are the only repairs: brakes, tires, 02 sensor (at 150k miles), batteries (gone through several of these), power window switch. Cloth seats feel cheap, but otherwise the interior is well planned and accessories are convenient. Exterior, for me, is pretty rough--it sort of looks like a beefy go-cart. I would recommend one for a new driver who will have to deal with inclement weather conditions. Easy to maneuver in snow/rain, easy to park, and there is plenty of glass all the way around so drivers can see surroundings

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  Surprised by a KIA but wishing for more - 2006 Kia Optima
  By chadyboy - April 1 - 3:33 pm

  I was pleased with the overall feel of this vehicle and appearance from the day I began test driving Optimas. This car gave the most bang for the buck of everything I had driven. The engine is very responsive and the ride is very smooth. This seems to be the perfect vehicle for anyone who does not maintain the vehicle as needed. Whenever I have done simple maintenance, it reacts adversely. I constantly drive the same Highway to work and back and after cleaning the fuel injectors my gas mileage dropped from an average of 32 to 26 without any change in driving pattern. I also wish I had looked for one that did not smell smokey. I thought it could be taken out easier.

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  Fun To Drive - 2011 Kia Soul
  By hendogmx - March 29 - 9:41 pm

  Ive had the car for just a week now and i love it. The handling in town is great and freeway ride isnt too bad. Has a slight nervous feeling in wind but nothing scary. This little car has plenty of zip when needed and kinda makes you want to drive easier and challenge yourself to get the most MPG when you have ECO mode on. Watching the estimated MPG figure climb is such a relief when these gas prices are so high. The car feels very well made and im very impressed so far

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  My Kia - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By jenpal88 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle for the price. After driving it off the lot, I realized the horn didnt work. I took it back the next day and they fixed it. The check engine light comes on constantly. I take it to the dealership and correct the problem, only to have it turn on again later.

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  good stuff - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Tominator - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Kia dealers were great, no hassle, right to the point. Service is fast, and done properly. Treated the way most buyers dream of being treated after making such a major purchase.

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  Overall Best Buy In Its Class - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Natab - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought this SUV after reviewing it online for 3 months. I give it pretty good marks for for its head turning looks. Superior rating for its endless list of standard features esp the EX model that I bought. Best of all, I couldnt have done much better at $24000 at 0% financing for 6 years. Definitely a lot of bang for the bucks. Believe me, I test drove the Highlander, the Tribute and the Jeep Liberty. They come nowhere close to the Sorento in build and features.

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  Great car until now.. - 2007 Kia Optima
  By wolfenbuttel - March 24 - 5:25 am

  Bought the car Used from Enterprise car sales with 43,000 miles on it. Gas mileage was below expected averaging around 20-24 instead of the 28-32 like the sticker said. Absolutely love the look and design of the car but, have had numerous problems with the transmission not shifting smoothly. The headlights and tail light bulbs blowing every 6 months, but fixed that issue with an HID conversion kit on the car. The trunk randomly pops open on its own, and It has had the worst electrical issue with the AC randomly shutting off and on, Dealership tried to tell me it was the blower motor but that was a lie. I had it replaced and it does the same thing.

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  Hoped for more - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By helkins - March 23 - 6:11 pm

  I bought mine used last year a 2011. Had a few problems in the beginning but they fixed it. It seems it was electrical and needed a software update and something about a brake switch. Other than that it has been running good. The battery does wear down quickly. The engine runs louder than what I think a new car should. Coming up on 30K service so will have it checked. Also the gas mileage is terrible. Not sure how some people are getting 22-23 in city on a V6 AWD. I get 15mpg but I am probably avg speed 35 and a lot of stop and go. Maybe that has something to do with it. But also on highway I havent gotten more than 21mpg. Considering trading it in but wondering, cont below...

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By wonka - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Gotta say Im shocked at some people complaining about their Rondo. My 2007 Rondo LX is the best car Ive ever owned -- better than my Pontiac Vibe, Acura Integra, 99 Rav4, Chevy Prizm or many Corollas. Car is the most versatile thing on the road, comfortable, good balance of power and decent gas mileage. Have had no problems whatsoever after 3 years 40k miles. LOADS of safety features (6 airbags, antilock brakes, skid control). Cant beat this car w/out spending $10,000 more. Only thing I dont love about it is of the 4 doors plus hatchback, there is only ONE keyhole. Annoying because if someone opens the other doors from the inside alarm goes off & ignition is killed until you "beep" in

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  love it even with the problems - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By danielle - March 18 - 9:33 am

  I love the van but it had a vibration from new. Many parts later at 56,000 km Im getting a new transmission, which is what my husband had said it was from the day we drove it home. Ive been paying $590 per month for a vibrating tranny klunker. Other than that its comfortable with tons of room for my 4 kids.