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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  Home run! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Elmo - July 8 - 10:00 pm

  All I can say is Kia has come a long way in a short time. I bought an sx and a comparably equipped camry or honda was about 11,000 more. I am very happy and plus have the best warranty in the business.

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  surprisingly fun and responsive - 2011 Kia Soul
  By ricks52 - July 7 - 4:37 am

  Ive only had the Soul for a couple of weeks but already love this vehicle. It is much more than I expected in performance, comfort and fun-factor. The minute I see it, a smile creeps across my face and Im in a better mood.

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  Five years later! - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By lovemykia! - July 6 - 6:00 am

  I bought this car new in 2003 and I still love it! One review said it doesnt have child locks, but it does! Only a couple repairs and this car has been driven to death with very little maintenance. Had to take it to the dealer early on, forget what it was for but they fixed it at no charge. At 100K mi I just replaced the belt. Its needed five or six new headlights, brake pads at 60-70K, a new battery earlier this year, and only fully replaced tires once for wear. And my sun visor is broken. The car sucks up gas with the AC on high, even on the highway. Other than that, no trouble whatsoever and I give it a dependable rating of "10"

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  Kia makes quality stuff - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By KA KIA - July 6 - 1:03 am

  Kia now makes a quality mid sized SUV. True it is truck based and rides over hops a bit unsteady, but all SUVs built on a truck chassis do. On the beach or the trails this SUV shines. It truly handles light trails like a Jeep, albeit more refined in cabin and appearance to boot. Gas mileage is better than advertised with 26 highway and 20 around town. After I get sick of this vehicle I will use it to tow stuff with, the engine is awesome.

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  Functionalilty and Price - Cant Beat It! - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By ash_1021 - July 5 - 11:00 pm

  I am in the midwest and have driven American cars for several years now. I feel we in midwest have a special bias towards the big 3, just because of our proximity to Detroit. I have to admit I was really scared to try Kia for the first time. I have found Kia Rondo to be an exceptionally functional car with a lot of cool features, Excellent mileage for all that space and fabulous price. I was thinking of considering Toyota or Honda but could not find anything close in the price range and/or mileage that Rondo has offered me. Also, I feel the warranty scheme is just something that speaks for itself!! I am a very proud first time KIA owner now!!

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  got to try this car - 2009 Kia Optima
  By wvlivin - July 5 - 12:43 pm

  I went to the dealership with all intentions of buying a chevy or a ford but fell in love with the kia optima. the interior is comfortable and easy on the eyes and the value is unbeatable. The 2.4 engine is the perfect power and fuel economy that averages 27mpg. Drives great and has plenty of room for my family of 4 and is surprisingly stylish. Im sold on this car dont pass up a test drive you will be shocked I was.

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  Kia Amanti Rocks - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By pwax - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Our Amanti is a very comfortable car that has very quiet interior and contrary to other reviews, all the acceleration we need in a car. We have received numerous compliments and "looks" every time we stop for gas.

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  just rating - 2004 Kia Optima
  By plains001 - July 4 - 10:00 am

  a good all around car

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  7 months / 14,000 miles - 2011 Kia Optima
  By we_will_see - July 4 - 9:10 am

  Have had my Optima EX turbo/loaded for 7 mo. now and have driven over 14,000 miles. Still like this care very much, I live in NE Ohio and it drives great in the snow. Had to drive through a snow storm in Indiana on my way home from Chicago and it handled great on the highway. Love the heated seats and steering wheel, great on those cold mornings. Defrost works fast & well, as does the rear defrost/mirror heaters. Handling & performance are excellent, very sure footed. Transmission is great also. Love the nav/blue tooth/voice activation etc. Every thing is really easy to use. My only complaint would be the stiff seat but heard they fixed in 2012 models. Overall great car!

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  I love my Sorento! - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Stacey - July 3 - 9:40 pm

  I dont know what the "Professionals" are talking about when they review this vehicle. Before I bought mine, I read all of the magazines out there that talked about how, "Unstable, awkward and hard to control," the Kia Sorento was. But obviously, these "Professionals" never owned one. I LOVE MY SORENTO! It is perfect. It is easy and fun to drive; handles great, easy for people of ALL sizes to get in and out of...plus, it really does not do too bad on gas mileage. (I am getting about 17-18 mpg around town). All I can say is if you are thinking about purchasing a midsize SUV, drive one of these Sorentos, first. Then base your opinion on your own experience, not what the "magazines" say.