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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  just rating - 2004 Kia Optima
  By plains001 - July 4 - 10:00 am

  a good all around car

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  7 months / 14,000 miles - 2011 Kia Optima
  By we_will_see - July 4 - 9:10 am

  Have had my Optima EX turbo/loaded for 7 mo. now and have driven over 14,000 miles. Still like this care very much, I live in NE Ohio and it drives great in the snow. Had to drive through a snow storm in Indiana on my way home from Chicago and it handled great on the highway. Love the heated seats and steering wheel, great on those cold mornings. Defrost works fast & well, as does the rear defrost/mirror heaters. Handling & performance are excellent, very sure footed. Transmission is great also. Love the nav/blue tooth/voice activation etc. Every thing is really easy to use. My only complaint would be the stiff seat but heard they fixed in 2012 models. Overall great car!

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  Good Buy Overall - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By James - July 3 - 10:53 pm

  I bought this vehicle as a family vehicle for my daughter and I. It has met all of our needs. Interior is comfortable. Exterior is an attractive, sleek design. Turning radius is not the greatest. Factory headlights are not as bright as the headlights in my Ranger were. The back glass rattles. I agree with the post indicating that the water from teh wiper blades blows right inside when the window is down. Never had that happen before in any other vehicle. Lower gas mileage than I was told at teh dealership. But those are teh only negatives. Everything else about the vehicle is a positive. Most reliable vehicle I have ever had.

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  I love my Sorento! - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Stacey - July 3 - 9:40 pm

  I dont know what the "Professionals" are talking about when they review this vehicle. Before I bought mine, I read all of the magazines out there that talked about how, "Unstable, awkward and hard to control," the Kia Sorento was. But obviously, these "Professionals" never owned one. I LOVE MY SORENTO! It is perfect. It is easy and fun to drive; handles great, easy for people of ALL sizes to get in and out of...plus, it really does not do too bad on gas mileage. (I am getting about 17-18 mpg around town). All I can say is if you are thinking about purchasing a midsize SUV, drive one of these Sorentos, first. Then base your opinion on your own experience, not what the "magazines" say.

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  This Is An SUV Worth Your Money - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By zippadeedudah - July 3 - 2:13 pm

  Acceleration and performance are good. Handling is excellent. Price is excellent for the quality received. One can tell that a great deal of craftsmanship has gone into the assembly of this vehicle.

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  I Love my Car! - 2008 Kia Rio
  By Misty - July 3 - 11:03 am

  I got my Rio at the first of March. I love it while all my friends drive big SUVs and complain about the gas prices, my family of 5 fits in my car just fine and were able to take a vacation this summer while my friends stayed at home. I get 38 miles a gallon! Thank you KIA

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  Love Love Love - 2012 Kia Optima
  By uwololli - July 3 - 4:16 am

  Ive had this car (used) for nearly 3 months and Im having a love affair! I drive almost 70 miles round trip a day and I average 36-38 hwy mpg (32 mpg overall). Anyone who says they get lower milage needs to press their "Eco" button and set their cruise control. My neighbor bought an Accord about the same time and while he gets a few more mpg, no one turns their head when he pulls into the parking lot at work. Speaking of work, we get 4 adults into my Optima when we go to lunch and no one complains about room (also cant be said for his Accord).

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  Would buy it again - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Tom - July 2 - 3:46 am

  I really enjoy the cars spacious trunk and interior. It drives very well for a car of this class and feels safe. I trust my lead-footed teenager with it. My only regret is that after four years it gives me no reason to trade it on a new Forte or Soul. My wife drives an 06 Kia Sedona and these are both reliable, satisfying autos. I hate taking it in for the annual inspection and having to walk through the showroom past the new models.

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  Kia=Value - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Saab_and_Benz - July 2 - 2:00 am

  I recently bought this Kia to use strictly to drive to and from work. With an approximate distance of 140 miles a day roundtrip, the gas milage, warranty and features really caused the purchase. After owning, I love the smooth ride, and extraordinary build quality. This car also has half-decent leg room up front, a real advantage over the others. And so far, it seems that Kia has fixed all of their problems and quality issues!

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  OUTSTANDING VERY IMPRESSIVE - 2002 Kia Optima
  By ctopher - July 2 - 2:00 am

  BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY FIANCE AND SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVES IT. I LOOKED @ ACCORDS, CIVICS, ALTIMAS, CAMRYS, AND A FEW OTHERS. HANDS DOWN THE OPTIMA WON IN EVERY ASPECT. IT COSTS THE SAME AS A 2-3 YEAR OLD HIGHER MILE VEHICLES, AND YOU DONT GET THE GREAT WARRANTY KIA HAS. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND KIA TO ANYONE!!!