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 Sportage is SeXy! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Ryan Zilker - June 24 - 2:27 am

  I have had my 2017 Sportage SX (FWD) for 4 weeks, and 1500 miles. I love it. I had a 2015 Honda CR-V[ibrate]. The Sportage feels like such an upgrade with all of the luxury and technology features, the turbo engine, the quiet interior, the better sound system, the improved handling. Honda is supposed to be the reliability king - I had problems and dealers unwilling to figure out the causes. As a loyal Honda customer (Ive had 5), I was nervous about moving to Kia. So far, so good. Im really happy that I made the move. Kia engineers seem to be really trying to put out a quality vehicle, and so far with the Sportage, they have. Comfortable seats, engaging driving dymamic. Honestly, it feels a little like a grown-up version of my 2010 VW GTI. Friends have been giving me sh!t about moving to a Kia...until they ride in it, and drive it. Theyre surprised. My only complaints thus far are the fuel efficiency (or lack thereof) and the numb steering.

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  I love my Sportage! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Tammi - June 21 - 9:39 am

  I have mobility issues, getting in and out is no problem. Im getting better all around gas mileage, I live in a rural area with lots of large hills, S curves, etc., and Im averaging 27.4 mpg. The drivers seat is the most comfortable Ive seen, the lumbar support is fantastic. Im so pleased with my Sportage!

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  KIA REALY IS THE POWER TO SURPRISE - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Juilo Porven - June 19 - 6:13 pm

  I bought this vehicle before I moved out from Florida to North Carolina. I have made several road trips with this car and it has never giving me a problem. I maintain it at the dealership and have done every required service when it is due. The service I get is better than some Lexus or Mercedes dealerships. I also own a 06 Rio Sedan and have been very happy with it also. Like most folk I did the researsh on this vehicle and compared it to the Hondas and Toyotas. But when you look at the warranty and the value for your dollar the KIA Sportage wins hands down. I would recommend this vehicle to any one that wants a good SUV at a great price.

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  the gas miser - 2005 Kia Optima
  By kia of greer - June 19 - 4:26 pm

  This is a tight handling car; handles curves with ease; good on gas; has plenty of power on mountains -- in other words a great car.

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  Kia in GM Town - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Med - June 15 - 10:33 pm

  Looked at buying the Cadillac CTS but with a price difference of $15K here in Canada couldnt justify the Caddy especially after trying the KIA. No options available here in Canada, fully loaded and extremely well built. Rides like a dream with terrific sound system. Have told my father-in-law who drives a DeVille and he will switch as the KIA has as much room and as good a ride for $30K less. Havent hesitated telling my friends and co-workers what a wonderful car the Amanti is. Take a look and test drive, you wont be dissapointed!

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  2012 Kia Optima Amazing Value for the Money - 2012 Kia Optima
  By botoboto - June 15 - 1:52 pm

  I purchased a 2012 Optima last year. I love this car! There is no need, I feel, for spending $$$ on a luxury sedan. The car is very comfortable, sporty, fun to drive, and the Gas Mileage is what the sticker says. Actually I can get 37 on highway trips. I even used the Progressive drive module for a month and had a poor rating because of my acceleration habits. Now there are some things I do not like. The side mirrors are NOT connected to the seat memory. If I had known this, I wouldnt have purchased the car. My last 3 cars had this feature and I am very used to it. Also the passenger seat will not raise and my wife says its like sitting in a hole. Road noise is louder than I like.

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  It may of saved our lives! - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By Mgoble - June 15 - 10:13 am

  On April 14, 2008 we were hit by van, and our Kia was totaled. Although all the damage was to our car, we walked away with a few minor bumps and bruises! It sayed upright and did not flip/roll. It was a wonderful car and we would buy one again.

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  Spectra 2003 LS - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Jack Napeles - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car about a month ago. I have had no problems with it. Power is sufficient and ride is comfortable. The car has easy to use controls and I think the looks are great. If you review cars for a living apparently this is not the one for you. To those of us who dont I think this is an excellent choice.

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  Sedona - Nice Ride - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By philberto - June 15 - 7:03 am

  We were looking for an economical replacement for our ten year old Dodge Caravan. We looked at all of the contenders out there and felt that many of them were overpriced for some of the most basic of features. Playing the “option package” game can add thousands to the sticker price just to get one or two features of interest. We also found it frustrating to get the color options we wanted. Build quality and design left a lot to be desired when we looked at the choices. Then we looked at the Sedona. One look was all it took. All the basic features we were looking for were there. The price was great! It’s built like a tank. It is very comfortable and drives real smooth and quiet. It has power!

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  Almost perfect except MPG came up well short - 2012 Kia Rio
  By jjsteil - June 12 - 12:07 pm

  This is my 3rd KIA. 1st was a 2003 Sorrento then 2010 Soul ! which the RIO replaced. I have logged 1500 miles in the 1st month. Build quality is excellent. Interior fit and finish is excellent and the features you get for 20k cannot be matched by the competition. The car handles and drives much better than my soul with the 6 sp. trans. - pretty smooth although the 1.6L really works hard at 65 mph and up; always downshifting on slight inclines. The GDI engine is not living up to the 30/40 MPG on the window sticker. I divide miles driven by gallons pumped when I fill up; Im getting 25 city and 30-31 hwy. Big disappointment! With the except of the low MPG the car does not disappoint