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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  Front, Back, Side-to-Side - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Im a Soul Man - December 8 - 9:40 am

  My gf and I drive the Soul Igntion Edition which is so attention grabbing. I gotta say I have a smile every time I drive it. We drove down to Philly last week and really got to see how great of a car is. We had no issues parking, the cruise control is so easy, gas mileage was superb, sound system is so crisp regardless if your listening to satellite or your Zune. Love the seats and the height. The throttle is so responsive although the brakes are a bit of a learning curve but will stop on a dime in no time. The bluetooth is so cool, it automatically connects you when you enter the car and it downloads all your numbers so all you have to do is press the bluetooth button and say the name!

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  So far so good! - 2010 Kia Optima
  By CCC - December 8 - 6:36 am

  Of course Ive only had my 2010 Optima a few weeks but i really have enjoyed it thus far! I looked at the new 2011 Optimas and Sonatas but i really dont like their new "race car" style ( maybe because Im 54?!) But i find the more classic sedan style appeals to me a lot more. Ive been told it has the look of a much more expensive car. My 2010 has a really comfortable ride too. Real smooth and plenty of power for my kind of driving ( around town suburbia with a fair amount of highway ). Love the built in Satellite radio and the standard 6 speakers has sufficient oomph for my R&R-ing. Alloy wheels was a must so i went for the conv. pkg. which also incl.s power seats. Also added sun roof.

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  terrible road noise - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By toretiredron - December 7 - 10:11 pm

  I own a 6 year old Kia Amanti and a new Kia Cadenza with the optional “Luxury Package”. I have enjoyed driving my Amanti long distances. It is quiet and a pleasure to drive. The Cadenza is Kia’s new luxury car since the Amanti was discontinued. Instead of a quiet ride, the Cadenza has horrible road noise. It sounds as if a window is always partly opened. I called Kia Customer Service (Kelly) to complain that a car branded as a luxury car should be first and foremost a quiet ride. I was told that essentially the car is the way it is supposed to be, that the road noise is my opinion and have a nice day.

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  Shes My Work Horse - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By yankeegirl89 - December 7 - 10:03 am

  This Van Currently has 123,000+ miles on it and counting, weve used it to haul all my kids to their games and meets, move their stuff to their college dorms and apartments. We have moved furniture, appliances, taken trips, been all over in it, shes been old reliable. Havent had any problems with this van, I would buy another one were it not for the fact that in another year I wont need to be moving anymore kids and I can downsize again finally.

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  Luxury at a bargain price - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By David R. Harris - December 6 - 3:49 am

  Great vehicle! Make a deal and drive away!

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  Frustrated Kia owner!!! - 2014 Kia Forte
  By Pennie - December 5 - 7:53 am

  This car starts out cute, had it 2 yrs. now. Just found that there has been water running into the vehicle by way of trunk or back windshield. Its rains for a day and a half. I put something in my trunk and spotted a soaked trunk. I thought well Ill put in in the back seat , opened the door and put my bag on the back seat only to find that the back seat and floor were completed enfolded in water. Took the car to the dealer, there response was, well your warranty is out. The car is having electrical problems back windows wont open , apparently the water ruined them. The car has mold. They say , oh yes we are fixing there manufactures defect, not mine because its out of warranty. WTF, this should be a recall due to defect! Wont stop this fight!!! This could cost more for repairs than the car is worth. Looking for help!!! Frustrated in North Carolina

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  Great car! - 2013 Kia Optima
  By hoagie5 - December 4 - 11:40 am

  Just traded in a 2011 Optima EX that we thoroughly enjoyed. It was comfortable, great looking, economical, and dependable. We upgraded to an SXL with the turbo and a few more bells and whistles. So far its everything the first one was plus! After owning a long line of GM products, I cant see ever going back....my experience with these cars is just that good.

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  Bad MPGs!!! - 2015 Kia Sorento
  By jesse4964 - December 4 - 3:47 am

  Purchased a 2015 for my wife and after 1400 miles we are still only getting 14 to 18 mpg. Kia says it has a break in period and that we should be getting 20 to 27 mpg after 3000 miles. We only purchased this car because of the mpgs we thought we were going to get, should have just kept our 07 Honda CRV. After a few years we will be getting rid of this vehicle and wont look at Kia again.

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  I will never buy another Kia! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By jmc7982 - December 3 - 5:13 am

  I have 3 children and buying a minivan seemed like the right idea. If i had only known that buying a Kia would put me in debt i would have never ever done it! Everything on the car is pretty much plastic. I have broke several door handles that are far from cheep to replace. Everything in the van squeeks. I have had to replace the compressor and the shocks in the back that lift the back door! I have sank way too much money in this vehicle to enjoy it.

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  Kia Optima - 2006 Kia Optima
  By a. guffey - December 2 - 1:23 pm

  Very good car with great warranty. Since I have only owned the car for two days, it is hard to make a very detailed review. However, in the short time it has been in my possession, it has been a delight to drive.