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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  I love my car - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By cubbie17 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Sephia new and have had it almost two years and I love it. I havent had any problems with it. I will never buy a used car again.

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  You gotta drive it - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Packer - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Im 57, car nut..owned everything there is..practically. In December, I was looking to replace my 1998 Expedition..told my wife I wanted to downsize a little.I brought the Sorento home and she was kind of blown away. "Are you serious?" 8000 miles on the odo and its as smooth as can be. Got the EX loaded. Quiet, plenty of power, gets about 15-16 in town with a fairly light foot..steady 20 mpg @ 80 on the highway. Check it out. Dont be scared by the "Old" Kias. This one is beating the Japanese at their own game..sorry Steve for stealing your line. Phil

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  We LOVE this car!! - 2012 Kia Soul
  By chevegan - May 13 - 2:59 pm

  This car is a dream. Weve owned (all new) Honda: accord, civic, Pilot, Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, PT cruiser (loser), as well as an 08 Kia spectra, and currently a family owned since new 97 mbz e420. Of ALL those cars, Barring maybe the 09 legacy this car trumps them all in being an all around beauty and performer. With the seats down its a workhorse, with a car seat 2 adults can fit in the back seat. The back with optional tray is exceptionally organized and has plenty of room for your day to day runs. I have severe nerve damage to back and leg and this thing pulls off an outstandingly comfortable ride, note the exclaim model has better ride comfort

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  Almost a year now...... - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By kipp61 - May 12 - 6:27 am

  Well, its been almost a year now (and about 27,000 miles), so here is my homest take on the 11 Sorento EX 4 cyl AWD.... MPG - From all the posts Ive read it seems that I am not alone in reporting sub-advertised MPG. My 40-mile daily commute results in no better than 21 mpg on a consistant basis. This was a major selling point to me. Even an all-highway trip to/from Florida from Ohio only saw 24 mpg at best. Suspension - having been a service writer for a Ford dealership, I know suspension issues when I hear them. I hear them with this car. Apparently, I am the only one who hears them. Service department cannot confirm the loosness in the front end. Hmmmm. More soon....

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  Definitely a Soulman - 2013 Kia Soul
  By Soulman44 - May 10 - 4:26 pm

  The Kia Soul is the best of the econoboxes, and its not really that close. I took a very hard look at the Scion XB, as Im a fan of most things Toyota (particularly the original MR2), but it was an odd combination of too quirky yet too heavy and grown up. The Honda Element is all of the same traits amplified, but with worse still gas mileage. The Nissan Cube is quirky too, but very light and efficient with great gas mileage. However, its not large enough for passengers, at least not in comparison to the Soul. The Cube also has poor visibility out and an uncomfortable seating position, IMO. Then comes the Kia Soul, which simply does everything right while looking great and driving sweetly. One can opt for the 2.0 liter with a manual for a healthy dose of sport, but I prefer the better mpg of the 1.6. It still accelerates strongly due to its low weight, but keep it out of the revs and you can return 31 mpg in Suburbia-type traffic with lots of stop and go. This is my first manual with 6+ forward gears, and the Soul really makes the most of them. I havent done any 60 mph highway drives, but I would fully expect this to get 40 mpg in true highway driving. What else? The stereo with Aux in, USB for charging (or a billion songs on a thumb drive), bluetooth for phone audio or calls, great ergonomics, a huge glovebox, great visibility all around, and a very comfortable drive. I also do my own maintenance and repairs, and was blown away the first time I popped the hood. Room! Room galore for hands and wrenches. The only criticism I can imagine is that there is some road noise, but no more than my wifes very comfortable Odyssey. Some of that is likely tire noise, but you can tell that they left off some noise dampening to keep the weight and price down. Its not bad by any means, but its the only thing I can think of that is less than ideal with the Soul, even with the base. Ebay has sheets of sound deadening material for sale, and Im doing that next. This car is highly recommended. Ill be shocked if I dont have at least one Soul in our driveway 10 years from now.

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  You Chose - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By kimelyn - May 10 - 3:36 pm

  I bought my car new with only 35 miles on it Sept. 2007. It is a great little car. The makers need to work on the electrical problems. I have had three electrical problems in the past 6 months. I didnt have to pay for the first one but did on the others. The first was wiring harness burnt out, second was break lights and thrid was front lights on dim. It gets great gas mileage compared to what i did drive. Wish the seats were darker easy to see stains.

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  Did my homework and it paid off! - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By skippy0817 - May 10 - 2:32 pm

  I bought my used 2007 Kia Rondo LX a month ago after doing alot of on line research. I drove new cars and other used cars but the moment I got in the Rondo I fell in love. I have not had a new/newer car for many years and I certainly made the right choice. The exterior is fun looking, the interior is roomier and nicer than anything I thought I could afford. It runs and drives like a dream. I love the way it handles, I love the pick-up and especially the gas mileage! Im getting 29 mpg and I live in an area where my daily drive is climbing up and going down hills. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  Love my car! - 2015 Kia Optima
  By adrip - May 9 - 3:08 pm

  Ive owned this car for about 6 months and couldnt be more please with the performance, design and gas mileage. We recently took a road trip and averaged 41 miles to the gallon. It is extremely comfortable and fun to drive. I traded a 2005 BMX X5 and was worried my Optima might be a disappointment. It was certainly not disappointment. In fact, since my purchase, my daughter as well as my parents have purchase a new Kia.

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  Takes a lickin and Keeps Tickin - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By bdienes - May 9 - 10:00 am

  We got into an accident the day of purchase. The Sorento took the rear end hit well. The passengers were not harmed by a vehicle traveling 50+. Very impressed at the strength of the vehicle.

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  The real "smart" car! - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By drjjjj - May 9 - 7:36 am

  Have over 150k on my 07 Rondo with no mechanical issues ever! Been a flawless car, functional, comfortable, safe and reliable! If youre into funtion/practicality-this is the used car to choice! The 2.4 has the no maintenance timing chain, bullet proof 4 cylinder and simple 4 speed! 70% high strength steel/3300 lbs-about as light as you want to go! Can see 30 mpg on Highway! This year and newer is when the Koreans made the turn to world class quality folks!