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 Kia - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By KayJac - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Great mini van! Low price with high perks and a great warrenty.

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  Rondo is a keeper - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Bryan - October 21 - 12:10 am

  Ive owned my Rondo now since new a little over 2 years. Completely satisfied. Not a rattle,engine is quiet and no mechanical issues. What more can you expect from the cheapest 7 seater? Mind you, it wont turn anybodys eye though. :)

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  Not bad - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Roger2 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  It is a pretty good car for its price.

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  FROM A NIGHTMARE TO AN OPTIMA - 2011 Kia Optima
  By d2dv - October 17 - 9:52 am

  I had a Land Rover Discovery that was a constant pain that wouldnt go away. Now I have an OPTIMA and I couldnt be happier. I test drove the Accord, Camry, Focus, Cruze, and others... OPTIMA is hands down the best out of any of these. Tons of features are included in even the base model. I got the extended 100K bumper to bumper warranty just for added piece of mind and I still paid under $25K out the door. Already have 2000 miles and I am averaging 29 mpg!! Less than the stated mpg but much better than the 11mpg I was getting on the Rover. Im probably getting the KIA Sportage when our minivan finally gives up.

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  Driving my Soul! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Dean - October 16 - 4:56 am

  I am enjoying driving my new Soul. It handles well and has a lot more room and features than most people can imagine. I originally had a Prius and no one thought I would ever switch to a Kia Soul. At this point I have no complaints.

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  Decent Cheap Car - 2004 Kia Optima
  By 2004 Kia Optima LX - October 15 - 1:26 am

  I bought this car with 40k miles on it. It now has almost 105k and I havent had any major problems with it. I have kept up on my maintenance so that probably helps. I just had to have my alignment fixed because my tires kept popping, but that was only $50. If you keep up with the maintenance this car should last you!

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  Soul Man - 2010 Kia Soul
  By MSCLCAR - October 14 - 11:13 am

  Ill just say this. We have a 1969 Mustang that we take to car shows around Phoenix. This car is no slouch (high 10s in the quarter mile). We also have a Denim Soul. It just happened that both cars wound up at the same show. Parked next to each other. We received more comments and questions about the Soul then we ever received on the Mustang! We also own an Optima and Spectra 5. Kia,Thats it!

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  Non smoking Campers view 2008 sportage. - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By 4wheels2move - October 12 - 10:13 pm

  This review do to recal on the 2007 sportage Going home from the dealership my check engine light went on. I read the manual. I checked for recalls on the web. I found one recall for brake sensor and took the 2008 kia back . I told them of the recall. Kia checked the computer and told me they had never had five sensors bad , reset my computer and sent me home. Light came on just down the street. I told them I thought it was the brake sensor. The computer said steering. They replaced it. Almost home check engine light again.I told them brake sensor gives false codes. They replaced pitch,yhaw, finaly the last the sensor a brake sensor done. When cruise control stopped working. Problem fixed

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  So far so good - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By ks_az - October 11 - 4:25 pm

  I have had my Sorento for almost a month now. I was trading in a 2004 Mitsu galant (v6), i was looking for a little bit more comfort, reliability, and functionality. I test drove many other models from both foreign and domestic makers. I am 61" and not a little guy so comfort and room were essential. I have taken a road trip that required about 6 hours of time behind the wheel and did not have an issue with the comfort. There is an odd rattle/grind when i start the v6 cold, after visiting the dealership having them inspect it the service technician told me it was normal and not to worry. The only issue is my grandparents recently bought a ford crossover, now they want trade cars.

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  Poor MPG - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Judy - October 6 - 10:20 pm

  I have no problem with the car other than the MPG is really poor. I get around 16 in the City and around 21 on the Highway. With todays gas prices that hurts. It is comfortable, but wish there was more adjustment options in the driver and passenger front seats.