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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  Best kept secret - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Mike Muckenfuss - August 29 - 1:46 am

  The Kia Optima is one of the best cars out there if given the chance. My wife has a 2003 LX-V6 and i have a LX 4cyl BEST price, BEST warranty BEST all around car. Look forward to my next Optima purchase.

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  Love this car - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Robin - August 28 - 1:13 pm

  I bought my 2010 Kia new. I love the way it handles. It has a sleek design. It was priced right... in the seven years Ive had it, I have done nothing more than put on a new set of tires, alignment, new battery, and oil/fluid changes. I would have had it seven more years had someone not rear-ended me hard and totaled it. I will now buy another new Forte Koup EX.

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  Fun to drive, good MPG, Inexpensive - 2012 Kia Rio
  By shawnmh - August 24 - 3:02 am

  I bought this car new to replace my 91 Imperial and Im averaging 33 (70%/30% C/H) mpg at the pump and Im loving it. Although the ride isnt the smoothest, its definitely better than many others Ive driven in this class. When you turn the ECO setting off, you get a significant boost in power and throttle response. Handles great in the city, but acts like a small car would on the interstate. I love the SportShift, although not the quickest shifts, it is a blast through curvy roads. The high beams illuminate very well as do the regular lights. Steering has good feel and the car is very nimble up to about 45 when the electric steering starts to show. Design cues from Audi shows.

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  Kia review - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Richard Gilardi - August 23 - 9:40 am

  I am very pleased with the purchase of my new kia sorento. I choose the kia after looking at one that a friend had purchased. I had narrowed it down to three choices,the chrysler pacifica, the nissan murrano, and the kia sorento.The features that the kia offered dollar for dollar was the best value. I liked the nissan murano alot,but was turn off by the fact that it required premiem fuel. The performance is great along with the styling and qulity of workmanship. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great car with comfort and value

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  like it - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By nikki - August 21 - 10:00 am

  We just bought ours a few weeks ago and I am in love with it awesome pick

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  Steel gray Sportage EX - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By lhobbs - August 19 - 2:10 am

  I love this car. I have owned 6 cars in the last 12 years from Ford, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Kia, but the supposed loser of the bunch, my Kia Sportage, is the most solid and fun to drive of them all. It looks good, has decent power from the V6, has an awesome interior with many standard features, plus the best warranty you will find anywhere. Granted, I havent owned it for a long time so reliability is a question mark. One thing that I hate is taking a car in for repairs although honestly my other cars were reliable. I am taking a chance with Kia knowing fully well it could be a bomb. But if you look at the old Kias and compare them with the new ones I believe that is a chance worth taking.

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  Pretty Nice Sedan and the Price is Great - 2003 Kia Optima
  By lh_acer - August 14 - 10:00 am

  It rides smooth and has a great initial acceleration.

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  I love my KIA - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Michele - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Never in a million years would I have believed that I would ever own a KIA, however the Sorento has definately changed my opinion. I LOVE this vehicle! I would definately recommend the Sorento and would purchase again in the future.

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  Great SUV for everyone - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By JustinD - August 13 - 11:43 am

  Have had car for 2 weeks and love it better looking than the crv and rav4 have had people tell me it looks like a acura couldnt be more happier have noticed on uneven road it does tend to pull a little as mentioned in another review. could use a bit more space in the back with the 3rd row up. other than those just a great car to own.

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  Fun Family Ride - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Fabulous - August 13 - 8:43 am

  Love this car...or is it an SUV? Drives like a car, but you are up higher and off the road which is nice. Super versatile, tons of room, my kids have long long legs and they love the extra leg room. I like the visibility from the drivers side and its so cute and fun to drive! My daughter hopes she gets to drive it when she turns 16 in a few more years...Great family runabout vehicle.