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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  Air Condition Problem - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Sgt Ard - October 28 - 8:00 am

  Dealership let me take it home for a few days to try it on for size, The 2nd day the engine check lite came on while on interstate Hwy. took it to dealership the 3rd day to have someone look at it for me. But service was busy eating lunch was told to come back the next day. Went to GM told him of problem; lunch was over in 30seconds. it took a GM and 5 minutes to cure problem. 4th day A/C had foul odor. 5th day wife took it to work; on the way home A/C went out went back to dealership around 0700hrs/ Kia Rep at dealership could not find problem and it is now 1300hrs. dealership is now freaking out trying to locate me another Sportage EX Lux Pkg very hard to find in the bayou state with hot temps.

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  Who paid the EPA off - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By jlaures - October 27 - 1:32 am

  Got your Attention, I hope so . 2.4 AWD w/ 9000miles convenience package. Here’s the deal, this car runs and drives great. Road noise I place in the top ten for quiet. Handling is very good, I like firm but nibble. The transmission while in the ECO mode hunts more than my golden retriever, I thought my toyota shifted a lot, trying to keep that ECO light on is a trick but doable why I don’t know. The beige interior stains very easily DO NOT drop a french fry. The fuel mileage indicator on the dash says what I thinks its supposed to 18-20city 26-29 on the highway. With a average of 22.5 to24. Life

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  A good buy with a few flaws - 2012 Kia Optima
  By upacrk1 - October 26 - 9:16 pm

  I bought a new 2012 Kia Optima LX in Snow White Pearl back in May 2012. Originally I had an issue with the drivers seat not being very comfortable. (I didnt notice this in the short test drive.) In the 9 months Ive owned it, my butt seems to have gotten used to it. The acceleration is great! So good that if the roads are slick, I have to put it in ECO mode so the tires dont slip. This may also says something about the OEM Nexen tires. I havent been driving much so far- only 4700 miles. (Try to walk/bike as much as I can). MPG per tank is 22-27 with an avg 24.5 . As expected, mileage is lower in the cold winter months. No long trips yet - cant wait to see what Ill get then!

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  no regrets - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By eyez - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE A VOYAGER, I LIKE THE SEDONA ALOT BETTER

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  kia sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By cindy place - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I traded from a Nissan Pathfinder. I love the ride and gas mileage (23mpg) on average. The bluetooth is unreliable for voice recognition. I have yet to be successful with downloading my I-Pod. It says "USB" empty. I had one experience while backing down a hill in reverse, after breaking, the vehicle acted as though it was in park, but would not accelerate. After several attempts at reverse I put it in drive, drove back up the hill, then it would go into reverse. Not sure what this issue is. I plan to contact service tomorrow. I have the 7 passenger vehicle. Overall I am very pleased with this vehicle.

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  Not bad at all - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Chelsea - October 22 - 9:46 am

  Ive recently purchased my kia after my nissan gave out. It drives great for me but I have noticed that when i am stopping, it sometimes feels like rippling. The drive is smooth other than that on. The take off isnt great but for a car that will be used between my old car and when i get a brand new one one day, its great. Great fit for my small family.

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  No Spare Tire!! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By alanbala - October 19 - 2:37 am

  My wife and I had to purchase a new car, after our less than two year old car was totaled. After ruling out several cars, we decided we really liked the 2013 Kia Optima EX with the Premium Package. We got a really good price considering it is a 2013 model, and as we were settling on the sale, we discovered the car comes with NO SPARE TIRE!!. Instead, you get some kind of hinky tire inflation kit good for one use. We bought the car anyway. Now we have to go out and buy a space saver spare, a jack and a lug wrench. The jack and lug wrench are easy to find. Not so the spare. Chevy started this stupid trend. its a shame all the other manufacturers are following suit.

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  Great Little SUV - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By sportage - October 12 - 8:46 pm

  This is the second Sportage that I have purchased and have enjoyed everything about both cars. The first was a 2000 model and was very happily surprised when the 2005 model came out. Purchased in a hurry and have not been disappointed. Would recommend this car to anyone.

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  A key from a man - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Crazylady - October 11 - 10:00 am

  This attractive automobile was a present. It drives smoothly and can handle curves. The seats are comfortable and recline to accomodate everyones needs. This car accomodates single drivers or MOMs with kids. The The stereo system is awesome. The car is very detailed. You must spend hours driving it to experience its full potential. The instruction manual is very long but anyone with basic knowlege can figure it out. Theres lots of extra ammenities that one may never use but its nice to have them if you desire.

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  Went with the KIA hybrid - 2011 Kia Optima
  By gmafb - October 10 - 1:07 pm

  Bought the car and immediately drove to Las Vegas from Phoenix in July. The air conditioned seats were very much appreciated. Gas mileage turned out to be precisely as advertised. Around town mileage is between 35 and 38. Have owned a Prius before and the tranny in the KIA is not CVT, so it handles the power differently. I personally dislike the CVT, so this change is good IMHO. The ride is excellent on the highway and good in town. I chose this car over the Fusion and the Sonata. The Sonatas I drove pulled to the right. The Fusion drove okay, but the ergonomics for the AC controls were downright idiotic and the exterior looks like a streamlined YUGO.