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:

• 

  Almost perfect except MPG came up well short - 2012 Kia Rio
  By jjsteil - June 12 - 12:07 pm

  This is my 3rd KIA. 1st was a 2003 Sorrento then 2010 Soul ! which the RIO replaced. I have logged 1500 miles in the 1st month. Build quality is excellent. Interior fit and finish is excellent and the features you get for 20k cannot be matched by the competition. The car handles and drives much better than my soul with the 6 sp. trans. - pretty smooth although the 1.6L really works hard at 65 mph and up; always downshifting on slight inclines. The GDI engine is not living up to the 30/40 MPG on the window sticker. I divide miles driven by gallons pumped when I fill up; Im getting 25 city and 30-31 hwy. Big disappointment! With the except of the low MPG the car does not disappoint

• 

  Really awesome ride - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Ricardos Ride - June 12 - 7:50 am

  I really did not trust Kia.. but let me tell you. They did a fantastic job with the Spectra5. It looks GREAT outside and the engine is totally reliable. I have not had any problem at all with the car and the way that it has been engineered ... great for college students or parents. This car is fast, secure (6 air bags, rear, front and side air bags), spacious, reliable, good looking and affordable. Totally recommended.

• 

  "Killed In Action!" - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By K8 - June 11 - 11:33 am

  I hate to think i spent all that money on a car i worry about more than my physical health after a roll over that almost took my life at age 27. Kia on the west side of Olympia have been more of a problem then the car. Check engine light (they cleared without fixing), wheel bearing x2 in the shop yesterday & its my fault at 60k, pulls, shakes, squeaks, break light countless times has been replaced, how it rides scares me to death. I worry about a new problem more then the price of gas. I promise I will tell 1,000 if not more people that this car is the "biggest waste of time & money ever spent." I hate this car! My lifted 04 Rubicon is safer, even after it rolled x5 at 70 mph!

• 

  Why I Love The KIA Optima... - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Anthony - June 10 - 9:03 pm

  Well first of all, please do not think that I just JUMPED into an Optima without knowing the car first. Working for Enterprise, I get to test out and drive pretty much every midrange vehicle on the market, from the Toyota Camry to the VW Passat. And given that the Camry, Accord and Passat are all very reliable cars and well respected, DO NOT count out the KIA Optima! From the FIRST day I sat behind the wheel of the Optima, I fell in love with it, despite my first love was the Mazda 3 & 6! The fact is that the Optima is fun yet practical and YES, VERY reliable. it makes an AWESOME purchase! If youre in the market to purchase a new car, please consider the Optima!

• 

  I Own One, I Like It! - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Manny Diez - June 10 - 5:26 am

  This car was designed to impress the passengers more than the pedestrians. While the design will not win any awards, I like it because it has a stately look to it. Tall greenhouse, aggressive front end, impressive stance. Its a pleasure to drive as long as you dont expect to beat the Chrysler 300C next to you at the stop light. I traded a Caddy Seville in on this car. I like the ride and features in the Amanti better.

• 

  great car - 2002 Kia Optima
  By 1874 - June 9 - 11:43 pm

  Have had this car for almost 2 years and only put new front brake pads on. Fun to drive, fast and great mileage. I am so happy I did not buy a Camry or Accord for almost double the price. This car is solid and does not feel like it will blow off the road like the Camry and Accord.

• 

  Great "Around Town" Car - 2012 Kia Soul
  By jra8 - June 9 - 8:30 pm

  Definately a fun car to drive. Bought as companion to Chrysler Van, whose capacity I need about 20% of the time. The Soul is perfect fo the 80% of the time it is 1 or 2 people, and a brief case or gym bag. I am getting 31-33 MPG around town (1.6lengine,automatic). I use ECO mode about half the time. Love how quick and agile it is. Interesting that highway mileage has been well below estimates. At 70 MPH, RPMs are 2800. Need to be at about 55 to get advertised MPG. Overall, very happy after 1000 miles.

• 

  2011 sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Ronald Perez - June 9 - 2:04 pm

• 

  We love our 2014 Kia Sorento LX - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By roadturtle59 - June 9 - 6:31 am

  We have bought new one Tuscon in the 90s, and four Hyundai Santa Fes, 2008, 2009, 2011, and a 2012. This is our first Kia Sorento. the Pros; Strong motor, easier steering, a lot better suspension, better handling, better gas mileage 24.9 average, smooth automatic 6 speed transmission, easy to get in and out off, great visibility, awesome warranty. In all the years I have owned Hyundais, and now Kia. I only had one minor repair under warranty years ago. Cons; none so far. We have 1350 miles on our new Sorento so far. I strongly recommend Kia Sorento.

• 

  Honda? No Way! This is a great Van! - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By value - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Runs great looks great the family loves it and so does my wallet. Unbeatable warranty. The only thing I would change is the gas mileage.