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:

• 

  Amazing car for the price - 2012 Kia Forte
  By marco34 - August 18 - 1:14 am

  I purchased the Kia Forte Hatchback (really a wagon) with 16,000 miles for $12,400. I drive short distances to work and weekly long highway trips to family. Recently got 43.7 mpg on a flat highway for a 100 mile drive. Normally average 25 mpg in the city. Easy to hit 36 mpg on the highway at 70-75 mph. Absolutely no problems at current miles of 27K miles on the odometer-only oil changes so far.

• 

  Optima SX 14,000 - 2013 Kia Optima
  By dlehnhoff - August 16 - 2:55 pm

  For me the car is fun to drive and Ive had a lot of high end German cars along with their high end service and many repair costs. With the SX,enjoy the horsepower and all the amenities inside. Get 23-24 mpg in city, 28 to 31 at 70 mph on freeway. My only complaint is the passenger seat not able to raise. Had a seat heater on front passenger go kaput took awhile to get a new one. Dwight Lehnhoff

• 

  Good car - 2004 Kia Rio
  By isaac - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Funny the guy that posted the review about the engine seizing up at 81,000 miles. thats normal-you failed to change the timing belt. the timing belt MUST be changed by 65,000 miles on Rios, or the engine blow. Period. its a 100% fail rate. Anyway, I live in Phoenix and the air conditioner only works when youre driving. soon as you pause at a light or brake, your air is gone. that said, its otherwise a perfect car. i love it for its size, so much easier to maneuver i watch macho suv-drivers struggling with their Boats and laugh LOL LMAO

• 

  Not Happy - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Not happy - August 15 - 10:00 am

  When I first got the car I was very excited. It was my first luxury car and every thing was great until after the first week. The radio stopped working and I tried to get it fixed but the dealership I got it from was not very helpful. I had to go to someone else to get anything done. The radio has been fine until the past month when the speakers started to go again and I never listen to my music loud. Other electronics are malfunctioning too, like my side mirrors and my seat. Every time I get in my car I have to readjust them because the just move on them own. The power steering also goes when it rains and the mechanic couldnt tel me why. Cant believe a 2005 has so many issues!

• 

  PLEASANT! - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By RON - August 15 - 1:16 am

  My overall driving experience with this car has been wonderful! My only disappointment has been my break wear. I think my breaks gave out on me earlier than they should have. I actually went thru a set of pads and rotors and wheel bearings I feel way to early for a brand new vehicle. Wheel bearings were under warranty but rotors and pads were not and I was not a happy camper! I bought this car as a result of renting one on vaction and really enjoyed how it handled.It rides smooth handles superbly and accelerates well. I have been on several trips with my KIA and luv how it handles on the open road. I also luv the complements I get of it being a SEXY SUV!

• 

  Transmission Failure - 2010 Kia Soul
  By twolf - August 14 - 9:53 am

  Vehicle would be fine if it wasnt always in the shop being fixed. I had a transmission failure at 9,000 miles. The wont warranty wont cover it because the vehicle leaked its transmission fluid. Which is also the fault of the dealership. The vehicles are being sent with low fluids, and dealerships arent checking them. The vehicle has minimal power even with larger engine. Best part of the vehicle is the looks.

• 

  Cant beat it - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By ramer1 - August 14 - 8:40 am

  Purchased the car used in a pinch. The car had 40,000 miles on it and now has 180,000 miles on it. Only paid $3000 for it when it was 2 years old and said that I would drive it till it dropped. Still going!! Right after it was purchased, the car was driven for 40,000 miles without an oil change... still no problems. You cant beat the price, the gas mileage or the insurance, although parts are sometimes hard to find. Nothing but general maintenance since purchased. I now have a new truck, but will probably buy another Sephia after this one dies to have another 35 mpg road car.

• 

  Surprised - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By milesap - August 10 - 11:10 pm

  Let me just say this car was purchased for my wife who is a small person with severe arthritis in the knees. The Rondo was the only car that she could easily get in and out of. Unlike SUVs and sedans where you either have to climb up and in or climb out of. Not this car slide in slide out and the six inch wider space for its class clinched the purchase. Now I have owned this car for 18 months and four trips to Fl 20 hours each way and can safely say this baby is a sound and reliable puppy not a glitch. I have degenerative disc disease in the lower back and I have no problem of or discomfort when the boss lady lets me drive the car.

• 

  I must have got a bad one. Fully loaded SX - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Asia - August 8 - 2:25 am

  It is now 2015 I Bought this brand new and it is still giving me problems. 2011 Sorento SX Burgundy, Pan moon roof, nav ....the top model for the year. First day got home wouldnt start. Has had so many recalls and issues such as. Backup camera blacked out. Power died when driving. The suspension was off. The moon roof creaked badly. The alternator died. And even now the latest issue is when I get out and close the doors the sensors say that the doors are not closed. And that somehow makes the car go dead. I have to unhook the battery to get car to start. Im not even mention all the issues. I have been trying to live with this purchase until the best time to move on. The Best thing is that the dealer ship has been easy to work with. But I will not buy a Kia again, afraid of being lured by the amenities and being burned later, by a unreliable car. And my car still has the new car smell!

• 

  Mostly Lovin It - 2010 Kia Soul
  By 1st time new car buy - August 8 - 2:00 am

  As soon as I saw this car, I wanted it. I love driving it. but interior is strange. Cant be cleaned. I opened the door in the rain and it stained the inside of the door. Ive tried several products to clean it, but it comes back. Dont know what else to use. Interior also scratches really easy. At first, fuel was really good - about 320 miles to a full tank. But recently, its gone down to about 250 miles or so to a full tank. This is not stop and go traffic either.At lower speeds, about 15-20 mph, car lurches when given gas. Does not like going slowly. Brakes are super sensitive. Bumps are hard. People say bluetooth is not clear. But I still love it!