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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  Dont Love My Kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Dont love my Kia - December 25 - 10:20 am

  I bought my Kia new because it gave me so much for such a great price, and I love the look. However, I have had it in the shop for repairs at least 8 times in three years. If they cant replicate the issue they dont acknowledge it. I even created the terrible noise for the representative, but because the service manager couldnt do it, they changed nothing. There are many rattles, I have had to replace the windshield washer twice, the battery had to be replaced, the suspension has had multiple problems. Several lights have been replaced. Nothing huge but all very annoying - Im looking to get rid of it before something else goes!

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  If youre not loving driving Kia U R just driving - 2017 Kia Forte
  By Blair - December 25 - 2:26 am

  I originally bought a pre-owned 2013 Kia Forte LX with 70 thousand miles. Really liked that car alot. GREAT automobile. Today I bought a brand new Kia Forte LX with 22 miles on it. Got tremendous customer service from car salesperson David Beasley. Had no trade in yet got a stupendous deal equal to what I was paying on the other car that I had a high interest rate on. Got a great interest rate on this new one, more or less the same payment I had AND got 3500 dollars off during the resent Kia sale and 45 days until my first payment. Insurance only went up12.00 and a bit of change. By the time I drive home 157 mile and pulled in my driveway I was absolutely in love with an automobile. Ive named him Devin.

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  Big Mistake !!! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Chad - December 24 - 6:00 am

  As soon as I got home, the trunk release button on the door already quit working. The headlights never worked but the high beam headlights. Took it back to the dealer the next day, they couldnt tell why or what is causing the problems. I was told to bring it back next week and leave it for someone else to diagnose the problems. If you or someone you know is looking for a car, please take my advice and stay away from a Kia dealership.

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  05 Sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Jim T - December 24 - 3:06 am

  Overall, I give it a B-. Lets face it, its no Lexus. That being said, my criticism is this. I am 6 foot tall and 195 lbs. The emergency brake handle is a nuisance, being constantly buried in my right leg. Also, the intermittent wiper switch is noisy and the wiper on the upstroke stops dead center of drivers vision. Paint finish also a little suspect, easily chips. Gas mileage average, 16.5 mpg combined. Nothing has gone wrong mechanically to date, no complaints.

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  I am happy! - 2002 Kia Rio
  By DesertBum - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Hi Desert Kia in Victorville is great. Ask for Linda, she sold us this car. They do deal, so...be ready :) We love it. Its a small dealership, but their customer service makes up for it. I would buy again. It gets 31city/36highway DesertBum 2002KIA Rio/Automatic/4-door

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  You Get What You Pay For - 2002 Kia Rio
  By RaiderGirl - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Very well-priced for a single mom, but Im making up for it at the fuel pump; the Kia Rio Cinco is surprisingly UNeconomical in gas use. I can barely squeeze nine gallons into a nearly twelve gallon tank, and then I only get 200 miles on a tankful in the city. Also, it could accelerate MUCH better than it does. Other than that, its pretty reliable and very cool-looking. The interior is very roomy - I can fit my large dog in the back with the rear seat in the upright position with no problem. Overall rating: 6

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  LOVE MY SPORTAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Bob Hoskins - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR, ITS FUN, SPORTY AND EVERYTHING I EXPECTED...ALSO SAVED OVER 3000 FROM THE RAV4

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  why are you not told the truth - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By melvin - December 24 - 2:00 am

  when i first got my kia sportage everything was good, except a loose brake line. now my trans wont shift into overdrive because of the cold weather. they said it was normal, why was i not told this when i first got it. or was this a way to sell me one. they may get it back yet.

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  Best Buy - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By amy564 - December 22 - 10:00 am

  I did my homework and test drove quite a few SUVs, but this one took best overall in my opinion. If you want an SUV that can maneuver and accelerate well with great reliability this is the one. I would compare it to a sports car/SUV. I am very happy with it to say the least. I also like that it can tow my 17 Searay with ease. I highly recomend this SUV to anyone in the market for greated priced and well equiped SUV.

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  My second worst car - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By Joe - December 21 - 9:53 am

  I bought the car new for $11000. The first thing that went wrong was the passenger side air scoop liner fell out on the road somewhere, Then the radio quit working. The warranty is practically useless unless you follow directions explicitly. Replaced the engine with a used one at 63,000. O2 sensors replaced three times, throttle body sensor went bad,ignition coils replaced twice. Shifter skirt fell down. Rear brakes hang up. Check engine light comes on unexpectedly, then goes out. Have spent $4300 in repairs in the past three years. Gas mileage 25 mpg winter, 31 summer, doesnt compare with my old 91 Mercury Tracer of 36 mpg. Conclusion: I will not buy another Kia.