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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  Lexus Wannabe - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By nutin2it - February 25 - 2:00 am

  We just purchased our 2004 Kia EX and love it so far. The fit and finish inside and out are on par with other more costly SUVs - and even better in some cases. The fat Michelin tires are a plus. The styling is right on. Kudos to Kia on their first attempt at directly competing with other SUVs in this ever changing market. Unfortunately, the less than great gas mileage (although on par with the Ford Explorer) and louder than expected engine noise are its only drawbacks thus far. Excellent service department at the dealership.

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  Wow - Look out Honda and Toyota - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Dan J - February 24 - 3:00 pm

  Kia took a major leap forward with the 06 Sedona. We were only considering the Odyssey and Sienna when, on a whim ($1000 cash back, 3.9%, 60 month finance), we decided to check out Kia. Glad we did. The Sedona is packed with features at a very competitive price. Its fun to drive and they took into account rear collision safety (for front passengers). Its now in the same class as the top dogs in a very competitive market.

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  Former Kia Salesman gives rating - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Whatever - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I happened to own one while selling them to make a living. Periodically the CD/Cassette player gives an error indicating unable to locate last track played on the CD. We are going to have paint problems. Have you noticed the trunk, door, hood, door handle wells need another coat of the same metalic exterior pant? I dislike the wasted jet beams that spike straight up at about a 75-degree angle from horizontal. Look up at tall evergreens after dark while driving some night especially in the fog! "NO REAR CABIN LIGHTES"? Why should I have to feeeellll my way around the rear seats and rear floors in a 21st century automobile? This is Un-American.

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  First VAN - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Tarak - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I got this van in unreliable price with lots option. This is my first van. I had FL trip. No problems found. Running smooth & fuel average is 21 miles on highway. Dont miss to buy this van with low price & more option. dont spend more money towards other van.

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  Warning! Under investigation for faulty engine - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By Kris - February 23 - 9:12 pm

  Car had 88 k miles. Defective part under investigation with national highway traffic safety. Auto lube to timing chain faulty causing chain to break and completely destroy engine. Engine replacement not available due to investigation. Kia corp wants u to bring to their shop to "investigate" at your cost. Do not go. They will cover up defect. Instead file complaint with dept above. 20 have filed complaints so far all at 90k or below miles. 100k warranty not valid because Kia trys to Blaim on owner for lack of oil changes even though u submit proof. Also warranty not valid for 2nd owner over 60k miles. Car also has several dangerous recalls. Beautiful car but made out of tin and duct tape it seems. I will never buy a Kia again.

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  man are we peeps stupid - 2005 Kia Optima
  By J.E - February 22 - 5:23 pm

  well let me start by saying i bought this car for my daughter.but 2 months ago my wife got a new car. infinity g 35. test drove mercedes c230 and slk 350, bmw m series. and we owned 2 hondas.This optima is best riding and value car on the market. it just blows me away how people can over look this car.just do a test drive any car the optima will be a better ride .

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  Love our sedona - 2009 Kia Sedona
  By Karen - February 22 - 1:10 pm

  We purchased this van in late May (2010). We wanted something comparable to our pick-up as far as hauling items around. We are very happy with the purchase. I love the smooth ride, and comfort from this van. We bought the lx model 2009 in 2010. Got a great trade-in deal and love the way it handles on the road. Pure comfort for the driver and the passenger. Wish they would have had the option Dual Climate control in the lx, comes only in the ex. Weve had this van for only 2 months and I cant wait to take a trip with it.

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  So Far So Good - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By johnnykia - February 22 - 3:46 am

  We traded a Honda CRV (excellent car) in for a new Kia Sorento SX AWD V6, largely because we needed more power to pull a small trailer. So far, we are pleased with the Sorento, which seems luxurious compared to the Honda. It is much quieter (less road noise) and the V6 engine has great acceleration. Still getting used to all the bells and whistles. Some of the controls are not inuitive. Many adjustments, like the mirrors, cannot be made unless the car is in Park. We do not need 3rd row seating, and would have rather had a bit more storage back there, but it was not an option on our model. Have not pulled the trailer yet. So far we get about 20 MPG for city/commuting and about 25 highway.

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  Good car but not best in class - 2010 Kia Forte
  By gonavy1072 - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought a KIA Forte as a replacement for my Ford Focus. If I had it to do over, Id get another Focus with SYNC. Automatic transmission shifts VERY early to the point that at times you think it is going to stall. This is by design for fuel efficiency. Good exterior look and good fuel economy; about 30 MPG highway. The bluetooth interface is strange; you cant turn it on and off only using the radio controls. You have to use radio control AND voice command. Inconvenient when more than one person is in the car. iPod interface also drains the iPod battery if left plugged in. This is a known issue. Not a bad car for the money but it could be a GREAT car!

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  Needs Retro-Fit Shocks - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By yeohumpf - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Great car in all respects except that when driven on choppy Northern roads, it rides much too hard and choppy. Kia knows this and is putting Dual flow damper shocks on all newly built 2011 Sorentos to cure the problem. They need to provide access to those or other shocks/dampers that can be installed on 2011s already on the road that have the original inadequate shocks.