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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  Good Value - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Al2 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  We have about 7500 miles on the 2003 which was purchased in October. There were a few things needing attention after delivery but the Dealer has been good about servicing. Its a six, fully loaded with the exception of ABS. We bought because of the warranty and low pricing.

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  Nice Ride - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Silverado - July 3 - 8:33 pm

  Bought this 2004 in April of 05. They were trying to get rid of the last of their 04s, so we got $4500 off MSRP. Got the car fully loaded, sunroof and all out the door for $12,600. What a great deal. Car drives very nicely, and is very quiet. Good power, smooth shifting manual.

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  Wont buy another Kia - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Leslie - July 3 - 3:20 pm

  I purchased this brand new, traded in an 06 Acura TL because the Sorento was safer for my 3 kids with the 5 Star safety rating and the insurance was MUCH cheaper. It was a great vehicle for the first year or so, then the brake lights stayed illuminated and had to take to the dealership for repair. It has leaked oil non-stop for the last 2 years, and the dealer wont fix it. The brakes squeal like an old Pontiac, dealer says "brake dust" but no matter what I do I cant get it to stop. Two recalls in the last year...brake light switch and passenger airbag sensor. Would LOVE to trade it in, but the trade in value is zip. I owe 23K after 3 years, trade in value, less than 10. Never again!

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  We put A LOT of miles on this van! - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By rockscryout - July 2 - 5:39 am

  Over 180,000 miles on this van and still going. I keep changing the oil and it keeps going! Ive had to replace the water pump twice and the coil packs went out so we replaced those. Air conditioner worked well up til last summer. The suspension doesnt seem to be that great and I havent sprung to replace the struts although the van needs it-- but really, how many more miles am I going to be able to put on it? Im really happy with it over all.

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  IM THE FUNKIEST DRIVER IN CLIFTON PARK! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Casey - July 1 - 9:03 pm

  I just purchased my alien green Kia Soul ! and LOVE IT! Everyone at my complex loves the looks and equipment too. Its a smooth drive, plenty roomy, many fun options (especially those mood lights!) Visibility is great. I dont know what some of the reviews mean by excessive road noise over 60 mph - I dont notice anything significant and neither does anyone who has ridden with me. Good handling, quick to respond and excellent brakes! My dog, Abe, has plenty of room to stretch out and relax too - who would have thought when I adopted him that one day my dog would have a Soul? (Ha.) Id recommend this car to anyone!

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  2013 Forte SX - 2013 Kia Forte
  By justin53955 - July 1 - 12:26 pm

  Ive had my Forte since Sept of 12 and thus far I have to say my major gripes are the crappier than expected fuel mileage... a tire that buldged out on me that they wouldnt cover under the warranty "because I must have hit something to make it break", and the leather on the steering wheel is so soft that if you happen to get out of your car with your keys in your hand, it tends to scrape the leather on the wheel as you grab it to get out and tear it... so within the first month of having it, they had to totally replace my steering wheel. Ride gets a tad stiff after a couple hours of driving for a long ways but awesome style and love the features

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  Make Lemonade? - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By A. Kittrell - July 1 - 5:56 am

  "Have I told you how much I love my car today?" I would ask my husband as I gazed dreamily out of the kitchen window at my lipstick colored little car, 7 yrs. ago... Today Im laughing myself to tears reading the other 40 reviews on this site...most so similar to mine its eery. Bad cup holders,ashtrays, visors, gaskets, fan, starter, seat belt latch, seat clips, dry rotting trim, trim clips break and trim falls off, gas mileage so/so, belts whistle, radio(s) replaced, oxidizing bumper, on and on...I needed the warranty way after it expired. In the shop being fixed now, my son wrecked it for me so I wouldnt have to. Now Im driving my husbands work truck, and missing my little red lemon

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  Different but Nice - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By John - June 30 - 3:50 am

  I have a Chrysler Voyager Minivan, and this Rondo is the preferred vehicle of the household. Great storage space, and roomy front and back seats, even with a car seat. I love all the extras they give you with this Ex model. This has more standard features than the Voyager had, and is much more fun to drive.

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  Clicking noise - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By estid - June 30 - 1:56 am

  I had my sorento LX since May 2011, I love everything about it except the clicking noise it make everytime I press on the brakes. The noise comes out from the gear box. 3 time I taken the car to the service department and every single time Im told that Its suppose to be that way. If I wanted a car with a noise I would have walk in to the used car lot. I also want to comment on the service It is horrible, evreytime I take my car for service they take 5 minutes and tell me that there is nothing wrong with my car. I also spoke with Kia Custumer Assitance and they say there is nothing they could do. Is anyone else have the same problem?

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  Solid Dependable and Great Deal - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Douglas - June 29 - 11:30 am

  The Optima is a wonderful experience. The car drives real smooth in town and is very quiet on the interstate. It drives very solid and it is a great buy.