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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  Simple Test - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By ka ka ka KIA! - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Drive the rest, then go drive the "Sorento" (a coastal city in Italy) with the exception of gas mileage (because of the gear ratio) there is no question which vehicle looks best inside & out! It is fun to drive, but I cannot rate reliability for its too new, but based on the quality I see and feel, I gave it a "9", plus its got 10yr/100000 warranty to the original owner, 60000 if you transfer warranty to a second owner. Hope this helps!

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  Absolutely no problems in 2.5 years - 2007 Kia Optima
  By grizjack - July 30 - 10:30 pm

  Why all the ones in the block of previous reviews? Looks suspicious to me. In my case theres been absolutely NOTHING negative in 2.5 years of ownership. Rock solid-- just like Consumer Reports says.

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  3 Kias in the Family! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By 3 Kias in the Family - July 30 - 9:40 pm

  If we didnt believe in the manufacturer we would have never purchased 3; one for myself, Kia Sorento, one for my husband, (Optima EX), and daughter, (Spectra EX). We should do a commercial for Kia!

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  Love my car - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Maureen OKeefe - July 30 - 10:53 am

  A KIA had not been on my radar screen, but I was very impressed with the Sorentos look, feel, and handling. Additionally, I liked the 10 year warranty. I only have 650 miles on the car, but I have enjoyed the ride and enjoy the added features this car comes with.

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  My 1st car - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Mac Daddy - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This is my 1st car AND I love it. I would expect less from a car at such a low price,but it was worth every penny.I love its style,better than the Echo or Accent.

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  Good Value - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Mark B - July 30 - 10:00 am

  The car runs great I havent had any problems yet. The warranty is killer. I use the car as a second vehicle. I would recommend this car tomy friends and family.

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  2011 Kia Soul "hamstar" special edition.. - 2011 Kia Soul
  By nashvilleandi - July 28 - 3:21 pm

  we love the Kia Soul - we traded in our Kia Sportage.. thought wed miss the room but the kia soul is rather Roomy considering its a small car. Gas Mileage is Excellent.. we avereage 29-31 mpg.. costs less to fill up and more miles between fills than our Sportage was. We loved the sportage, but we never had the leather and upgrades we have in the Soul. Our Soul has leather, sunroof, blue tooth, satellite - we love the extras for the cost you cant beat the upgrades.. only gripe is we hated, the FACTORY DECALS.. tacky. Were in our 40s and the Decals "Hamstar" were tacky.. too many . We removed the Decals from hood and back. looks much better . decals made it look too young

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  Love this Car! - 2009 Kia Rondo
  By Sara - July 27 - 11:23 pm

  I LOVE this car. Ive had it for three months. Ive taken many highway trips and have had no problems. I even folded down the backseats and fit perfectly in the back for a nap while on the road! It is roomy and comfortable. It is slightly soccer mom-ish for someone young and single like me. Everyone else I see driving a Rondo is a bit older or has kids. But regardless - I love it. Great price, great car.

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  Wise mans Lexus - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Silverfox - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Get over your feelings about Kia. They have put a lot of thought into this vehicle. For once a car company has not equated luxury touches and classy design with an inflated price tag. The feeling you get when you drive this vehicle is not "cheap". I researched and looked at vehicles for six months and this is far and away the most bang for your buck. About the gas mileage..I just came from an auto show and for some reason the overall gas mileage on all vehicles has gone down and most suvs in this class were rated similar. The price we pay for cleaner air.

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  Cool SUV - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By touche214 - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Cool SUV, looks better than the rest, and cost thousands less.