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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  My 2nd Kia sorento - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By darda71 - January 23 - 9:53 am

  I just purchased my 2nd Kia Sorento, I had a 2011 LX with the 4-cy and my lease was up and I upgraded to the SX V6.. I looked at many different SUVs and almost purchased the Jeep Grand Cherokee but after driving the SX I stayed with Kia. My Only complaint on the 2011 was the Ride was stiff and power in the 4-cy, so The SX took care of both issues.. I love the Sorentos, cant beat the value they are the perfect size suv. I have the 2-tone leather, dual roofs, nav, keyless start, lighting package, chrome wheels.. Drive one and you will be impressed.

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  MPG Sticker Lies drastically - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By anubis2012 - January 23 - 5:35 am

  I liked this SUV but the window sticker MPG is way off! I am a conservitave driver. On paved roads getting 17-22 best, but mostly worse. This AWD is a mountain goat as far as the AWD goes. I only got stuck going up one mining road in NV and it was not able to continue climbing the gravel road without slipping backward and sideways. It was a scary drive backward down a narrow road with a canyon on one side and embankment on the other. It was great in the sandy soil of my NW NV property but didnt quite clear the middle of the pasture roads. I sold it with only 5K because of the MPG being so misrepresented. Sorry to see it go but too much difference in MPG way below sticker. Not nice!

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  Premium and Value - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Acclaimed - January 22 - 7:19 pm

  I currently own a fully loaded 2012 Kia Optima EX Turbo and it has been "smooth sailing" with minimal problems since my ownership back in April 2016. My car had exactly 60k miles on it at time of purchase which was slightly high miles, but I was too thrilled about getting rid of my old 2004 Chrysler Sebring that was moderately reliable with the exception of significantly ignition coil and repeated oil leaks issues. Back to the Optima, after one week of ownership, my car kept dying and come to find out it had a dead battery cell and I had to replace it, alongside with my proximity key fobs that were dead after purchasing my vehicle. Several months later, my fog lamps have stopped working and I think it has something to do with the wires and now I need a coil spring to enhance my cruise control and steering wheel features to become accessible again. Most importantly, last December Kia had to replace a coupling part to stop my vehicle from clicking at every left and right turn. With that said, the value and luxury and performance of my car have been great. I love the panoramic moonroofs on hot summer days, and speaking of hot summer days, the climate control seats work wonders not to mention the rear heated seats for the winter months, along with the heated steering wheel. Oh -- I cant forget about the 2.0L Turbo that has V-6 power with 4-cylinder fuel economy with 274-horsepower and 269 lbs. ft. of torque with a modest to none torque steer.

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  Love it - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Markus - January 21 - 9:36 pm

  An Avalon for the price of a base Camry! Ride is comparable to a Buick or Toyota; a bit flat but extremely cushy. Luxury abound!

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  service has been poor - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By Linda Leary - January 21 - 2:30 pm

  I have had front end problems since I bought this car. The transmission is going. The tires on my car are poor quality. The car needs some TLC. This could be a great car if the Kia people would take an interest in this car. It has a great body with good mileage. They need to fix the little things that give you an upset stomach. The car is new it should act that way.

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  Have to hand it to Kia - 2010 Kia Forte
  By guyonastage - January 20 - 3:19 am

  The sport tuned suspension really makes this car fun to drive. Its no sports car by any means, but it is a beautiful blend of fun and practicality. Theres a half inch dead spot in the throttle which makes first gear a royal pain, but its a very simple fix for someone with a little know-how. Even with the mod, the gas pedal is REALLY light and sensitive. It takes a little getting used to. Blue tooth isnt great, but its there. Back seats have an impressive amount of space for a coupe. Drivers seat sits high and and only raises from the back. Steering wheel controls are great, audio sounds good, interior controls have a comfortable and logical layout. Well done, Kia.

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  Test drive review - 2011 Kia Optima
  By canreda6 - January 20 - 12:54 am

  I have been test driving the 2011 Sonata and Optima. Optima looks like an Infiniti or Audi and offers features the Sonata doesnt like hill start assist and dual exhaust on all trims. I am leaning towards the Optima and I really want to buy a manual trans, but Kia decided, in a truly bizarre move, to not allow you to get cruise control with the manual trans. Otherwise the car is excellent. Very good acceleration and you cant hear the valve train noise like you can on the Sonata which is nice. Also seems like the suspension is more upscale than the Sonata. No options allowed or a turbo with a manual trans?? Change the packaging and they would steal sales from BMW/Audi and others...

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  Great Little Truck for $21K - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By RobR - January 19 - 6:40 pm

  We bought this car 2 months ago, and just put in the first oil change. I get 17/22 mpg. Its been great so far, really has exceeded our expectations. The only thing Ive noticed I didnt know before is the road noise seems a bit loud. The power outlet up front was mis-wired, but the dealer fixed it quickly. The auto tranny could be better, but is adequate. sport shifter is hokey. Offroad, I learned very quickly to turn off the Electronic Stability Program to make it. Reviewers say otherwise, but I say this is a great off-road vehicle. I drive it up primitive access roads to mountaintops on the job, and it has been just great - sans ESP-, even in 8 inches of snow on really poor, steep roads.

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  Great car with some funkiness to it! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Slamm215 - January 19 - 5:33 am

  I bought the base Soul with the 1.6L engine and 15" wheels. I added my own custom 17" wheels to it and Im very happy with the result. The engine isnt going to win you any races but its more than adequate with the 5- speed manual. Looks are very sharp and the interior is above average for this price point. Ive only had the car for a couple weeks but Im very please so far. Would definitely recommend for anyone on a budget who wants something with style instead of the usual bland offerings.

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  I love my car - 2003 Kia Rio
  By girl - January 19 - 2:00 am

  I love how smooth this car drives. It is very comfortable and quiet. they also made great colors for the cars this year. I think this is a great family car.