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:

• 

  Excellent Choice - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Mike - August 19 - 12:40 am

  After seeing a commercial for the Forte, I went to a dealership to check it out. I checked it out, drove it, and did some research online. I bought one about a month later. I couldnt be happier. Ive always driven trucks and SUVs, but I needed a more fuel-efficient car because of my daily commute. The Forte SX is fun, looks great, decent gas mileage, and a ton of standard features. I never thought Id drive a small foreign car, but I love this car. I could afford more expensive cars, but I think this one had the most bang for the buck. For me personally, I wasnt interested in the LX or EX, the SX was the only option.

• 

  Incredible Value ! - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By awf48 - August 18 - 1:26 pm

  I was looking for a SUV to replace my Saturn Vue--the 2012 Sorento is more than I expected I have the LX- V6--performance is great and gas mileage with 6 speed auto gives overall 27.5/28 miles per gallon combined--whos complaining not me! The Sorento has a great warranty and was also more coverage than expected. I liked the FACT that it was made in Georgia, Go USA! Drive out on the 2012 was $25,500 includes TT&L and $2000 down--No trade in.

• 

  How can you go wrong? - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Best combination - August 17 - 11:26 am

  As part of my 3 month research process, I drove about 5 different vehicles, ranging from the Scion xB to the Mazda Tribute to the Kias twin, the Tucson. I was looking for a vehicle with good gas mileage, storage compartments and cubbyholes, rear legroom, traction control, side airbags and a good stance/appearance. The Tucson was nice, but the handling was different (not as tight) and the interior felt cheap. I liked the xB a lot (great mpg and unique styling), but the storage behind the back seat just wasnt enough. The Sportage had everything I wanted. The 4 cylinder performs well and I am getting 22 mpg combined. I didnt need a hot rod, I needed functionality and value.

• 

  impressed but didnt buy - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By lexthor - August 17 - 10:00 am

  If ur even thinking about a mid-size SUV, do not buy another w/o at least looking at this one first. 2 blocks n2 a test drive, I was saying “wow”. As everyone says, it has all the features, comfort & style of SUV’s costing $15K more. Yet I bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee instead. Tho it stickered just under $40K after rebates & 5 min of haggling, I got the price down to $28K matching the KIA. In the end, for the same money I couldn’t get over my prejudice about Kia’s past bad rep, the Jeep has a V8 with 30% more hp & my pos exp w/ past Jeeps. If the dif in the bottom line had been greater, wouldve bought the KIA. I think the KIA ride is smoother.

• 

  A Great SUV - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Roy Frick - August 17 - 5:36 am

  I change vehicles every three years I have gone from a 1999 Lexus RX300 to the 2002 Toyota Highlander to a 2004 Kia Sorrento LX. The LX is more fun to drive than the Highlander and better looking very comfortable the negative is the fuel economy is not good. However when you consider the price differential in the cost of the vehicles I can live with that. I love the vehicle.

• 

  we actually got a 2014 Soul ! - 2012 Kia Soul
  By Suzanne Matousek - August 17 - 12:02 am

  We bought it used from Heritage Hyundai. The salesperson was great Mr. Hamm. We will go there again to purchase our next vehicle.

• 

  steer clear from Kia, Silver Spring Kia and the King automotive group - 2011 Kia Forte
  By planedoc42 - August 15 - 5:29 pm

  In April 2011 I bought Kia Forte. since i drove off the dealers lot the car seemed sluggish like theres a brake or gear is stuck on. Within two weeks after i bought the car i asked the Kia service station to look at the car and thats when a employee at Kia service stated that the catalytic converter could be clogged or not functioning properly. (I think Kia hide him because I never saw him again). Since than my check engine light which i actually thought wouldnt even come on if came on as I was on the beltway coming from my office at Andrews going 60 mph it did come on and the engine automatically slowed down which concerned me because this could have caused an accident during rush hour. A day after the check engine light came on i brought it into the Kia service station and Kia said we reset the light and we do know it was a misfire code but we dont know why or if it will happen again. For a new car this scares me. 6 days later i started my car and began to drive and AGAIN i noticed the check engine light stayed on but went off in 47 seconds Again for a new car this scares me and represents a safety issue and for Kia to disregard safety complaints from customers is disgraceful. The dealer Silver Spring Kia was great UNTIL i bought the car I actually brought the car back 3 days later and told the sales Mgr Laura Jerlet the i had a problem with the car and what i can do now to get trade it or get a refund (again this was after 3 three days) she said "once you buy a Kia your screwed" the dealership GM Betty ann Mendelsohn Aschenbach a the part of the KING AUTO group should be steered away from at all costs, the customer service after you buy the car is awful. So far I spent at least $1000.00 on this car due to something wrong with the engine operation that can be causing the bad fuel economy and the check engine light to come on and slow down in beltway traffic. (it happened 3 times since i bought the car 9 Mounts) Under the Md State Lemon Law I Asked Kia to Re-purchase or at least help me get into a car that doesnt have issues. The BBB arbitrator actually stated at the arbitration hearing before the hearing started "Kia doesnt want to do anything to assist you anyway." I did explain the issues to the Arbertrater (Harold Cohen) and the person from Kia Ted Renfrow explain his side (he lied and covered up issues about the vacuum system and the safety issues i explained To be safe Customers that are looking to buy a new or used car must stay away from Silver Spring Kia. and Kia all together. Kia is a very poorly made very cheaply built car and at highway speeds the car is very unsafe and the Kia corporation that covers up safety issues and lies to customers are best just kept away from.

• 

  Kia Forte Koup SC - 2010 Kia Forte
  By fortekoup - August 15 - 12:46 am

  Originally went to the dealership looking at the Kia Soul, but my wife didnt like the look and feel. There was a Forte Koup SX waiting, outside it seemed to be wanting us to drive it. So drive we did and it was a blast on the short test drive. The 2.4L engine has good pull. The transmission reacts quickly. The suspension is firm without being too firm. We got the car in the Copperhead Orange, and its a stunning car to look at. The interior is just as nice, with supportive seats and lots of room inside. The Bluetooth works better than systems in more expensive cars. The standard radio in the SX has good power and sound.

• 

  2007 KIA Rondo - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Dakota29803 - August 13 - 7:50 am

  I bought my Rondo in November, 2007. I had been looking at compact SUVs, wagons, etc. I had not found any vehicle that I liked the looks, storage space and price until I saw the Rondo. I fell in love immediately and bought it. No regrets. It is more comfortable, more economical and better driving than my 2004 Jeep Liberty.

• 

  I love my Kia truck - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By tiffany - August 13 - 5:43 am

  I purchased my Kia this year with 67,000 miles. Car fax came back clean. My truck drives good. It Burns a lot of gas but I dont mind because I enjoy driving it. Looking forward to buying another one in a couple of years. Never thought I would a Kia cause I was told they were cheap vehicles. Thats why you shouldnt knock it until you try it!