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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  So far so good - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By mack - January 14 - 4:56 pm

  2011 sorento after 4 months has performed flawlessly. Mileage has avg 26 mpg on country roads. 4 cyl has ad power and acceleration. No problems in 4000 miles. Very happy with it.

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  KIA OPTIMA POOR - 2009 Kia Optima
  By rtoothman - January 14 - 3:17 pm

  Car codes every spring return to dealership they clear code[multiple misfires] runs fine after several restarts, and say they cant find whats wrong with engine 2.7 V6 which they no longer offer in Optima.The vehicle has had this issue since 10,000 miles and only has 49,000 as of 2013.Dealership or KIA problem?????Rhormans of FT Wayne In.

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  Great Van at a Great Price - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Brandt1971 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  We purchased our van a few wmonths ago and this is a wonderful van at a great price. we have the LX model and this comes with excellent features. Rear air/heat six speaker stereo, dual sliding doors and excellent capacity to store and carry everything from passengers to equiptment. Great pick up with the 195HP engine and a quite smooth ride. the only negative would be the gas usage. For this price and all the options. I would recommend this van to all families on a budget looking for a great deal!

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  My First SUV - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By tandymae - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Was driving a Ford Escort and wanted something with power and attitude when driving rush hour on highway. Got both with a lot of fun to boot! Now I just nod my head as Im passin the other big boys. I was surprised at comfort in the back and space it gave my passengers and family. The front has plenty of leg space without taking any from the back from what I can see. Overall, I love it and drive every chance I get.

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  Fast and furious - 2011 Kia Forte
  By Paula - January 13 - 5:51 pm

  Love driving the car. Steering is super easy and smooth, hugs the corners, glides right down the high-way and the power is there when you need it. I love the look of it... got mine in white, very girly. Cutest car in the universe. I find it extremely comfortable and so does my 120 LB Labradane. Hes got plenty of room to stretch out in the back seat and is perfectly fine hopping in and out. Overall I love the car and look forward to driving it daily. Technology... Okay so maybe I am spoiled because I came from a 2015 automobile with all of the cool techie features. I mean the XM is good but options and sound quality is awful. Speakers are awful. Could have spent a little more for the navigation and back up camera. Since I got such a good deal on this car I have asked the dealer to upgrade the radio/system/speakers. Problem fixed.

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  My first car - 2004 Kia Optima
  By ameagle177 - January 13 - 2:17 pm

  I bought this car two years ago as my first car, i got it for 400 bucks all smashed up. i fixed it at 75k miles and ive had no problems at all except crank sensor and belt squeak. I drive it pretty rough, but i perform all needed routine maintenance. it now has 86k miles and has served me well.

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  Love Kia - 2008 Kia Sedona
  By maryhelpful - January 13 - 10:26 am

  My recent Sedona is my second one. I love the Kia. It takes care of my family of five and beyond normal servicing, I rarely have taken it to the dealership.

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  A used 4000 mi. Optima LX at $119 a mo. - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Dangelus - January 13 - 4:46 am

  Very quite and comfortable ride, the suspension is comparable to a german ride. The stock audio CD cassette combo is far better that japanise competition. The trunk is Cadillac size! I could no possibly ask more for what I paid.

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  Not a Borrego....but close - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Dan - January 12 - 6:01 pm

  The new Sorrento has a more grown up feel....bigger and more of a presence.....like the Borrego of 2009. That SUV is now one of the most sought after used SUVs in the market. I love my Borrego and wish Kia would have continued the large SUV format. At least this version of the Sorento is larger and has a substantial road presence. I was torn between the new Pilot and this version but the warranty and past Kia performance convinced me to continue my Kia loyalty. I hope the Teleride is released soon.....it looks like the awesome full SUV that Kia needs.

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  Not working out like I had hoped - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By jbc6 - January 12 - 5:45 pm

  Love the car, enjoying it then just had to have the transmission totally replaced at 14,750. The warranty covered this. My beef is with Kia Roadside- the rep was clueless, I waited forever for a tow (not a flatbed) and the tow truck driver was not careful (to say the least).