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:

• 

  WAY impressed with this car! - 2013 Kia Optima
  By c1carroll - August 23 - 1:28 am

  Went shopping for a used Optima the minute I realized it was car time. Found a used 2013 with 44K on it, and almost dismissed it out of hand for high miles, until I drove it, then ...WOW! Like it just rolled off factory floor. Loaded EX with ALL the bells and whistles. Have had it for 7 months and another 6K, and I cant find the slightest flaw. Getting about 24 MPG around town, and up to 38MPG on hwy, so I do NOT understand the MPG complaints Ive read here. Car drives like its on rails, and very quiet. My wife has the 2011 Sonata Limited so were always comparing cars, and shell admit, the Optima is the better of the 2. For the price, you cant beat it

• 

  So Far So Good! - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By MJ DeYoung - August 21 - 7:06 pm

  Bought this car brand new last August, so this is its first winter. So far so good! Honestly, no complaints (-:

• 

  Sportage Rocks! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Jeff - August 21 - 3:33 pm

  Electronic Stability Progam, ABS and traction control are standard! Great stereo 6 cd changer, "Sportmatic" slap stick is storty.

• 

  retired navy did the buy 1 get 1 free - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By robert savage - August 21 - 10:00 am

  TEST DROVE EVERY VAN UNDER 25,000 NEW I COULD FIND, NOTHING BEAT THE KIA!!!

• 

  love my kia - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By jose garcia - August 21 - 10:00 am

  l did a lot of reseach before l brought this kia and for the price you cant get a better deal. l drove it in the snow and the four wheel drive was great. if you dont mind the name kia on your truck then this is the truck for you.

• 

  justins sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By jrrocque - August 21 - 10:00 am

  IT is a very comfortable automobile. It has plenty of power to get out into traffic. The price was excellent. I also like the 10 year 100000 mile warranty.

• 

  Excellent Choice - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Mike - August 19 - 12:40 am

  After seeing a commercial for the Forte, I went to a dealership to check it out. I checked it out, drove it, and did some research online. I bought one about a month later. I couldnt be happier. Ive always driven trucks and SUVs, but I needed a more fuel-efficient car because of my daily commute. The Forte SX is fun, looks great, decent gas mileage, and a ton of standard features. I never thought Id drive a small foreign car, but I love this car. I could afford more expensive cars, but I think this one had the most bang for the buck. For me personally, I wasnt interested in the LX or EX, the SX was the only option.

• 

  Incredible Value ! - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By awf48 - August 18 - 1:26 pm

  I was looking for a SUV to replace my Saturn Vue--the 2012 Sorento is more than I expected I have the LX- V6--performance is great and gas mileage with 6 speed auto gives overall 27.5/28 miles per gallon combined--whos complaining not me! The Sorento has a great warranty and was also more coverage than expected. I liked the FACT that it was made in Georgia, Go USA! Drive out on the 2012 was $25,500 includes TT&L and $2000 down--No trade in.

• 

  How can you go wrong? - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Best combination - August 17 - 11:26 am

  As part of my 3 month research process, I drove about 5 different vehicles, ranging from the Scion xB to the Mazda Tribute to the Kias twin, the Tucson. I was looking for a vehicle with good gas mileage, storage compartments and cubbyholes, rear legroom, traction control, side airbags and a good stance/appearance. The Tucson was nice, but the handling was different (not as tight) and the interior felt cheap. I liked the xB a lot (great mpg and unique styling), but the storage behind the back seat just wasnt enough. The Sportage had everything I wanted. The 4 cylinder performs well and I am getting 22 mpg combined. I didnt need a hot rod, I needed functionality and value.

• 

  A Great SUV - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Roy Frick - August 17 - 5:36 am

  I change vehicles every three years I have gone from a 1999 Lexus RX300 to the 2002 Toyota Highlander to a 2004 Kia Sorrento LX. The LX is more fun to drive than the Highlander and better looking very comfortable the negative is the fuel economy is not good. However when you consider the price differential in the cost of the vehicles I can live with that. I love the vehicle.