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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  Decent for the price - 2009 Kia Sorento
  By gato6464 - August 23 - 6:44 am

  We got a 2009 Kia sorento used. It really is a nice running car. It drives very well for only a 6cylinder. Plenty of get up and go power. The interior is kinda cheap. We have had no problems other than the rear differential going bad. Luckily for us it was under warranty. I suggest keeping a head up on the maintenance or else they may not cover parts that go bad.

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  Concerned about the reviews here - 2007 Kia Optima
  By starsky - August 19 - 12:03 pm

  Transmission and engine problems abound in some of these reviews. My wife drives the car most of the time and has had a transmission flush done because she though the transmission was "funny". No more tranny complaints. I drive 80+ miles to work each way and got 35+ MPG maintaining 55 to 62 MPH. No problems other than a rattle in the overhead reading lamps which the dealer took care of promptly. Car now has 42000 miles and runs even better. First 5000 miles or so the car seemed to struggle in cruise control as the engine raced to maintain speed. However, car no longer misses a beat except for the steepest inclines.

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  Kia Sedona - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By cbaldwin - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Excellent minivan for the money. Drives great and has adequate room for our family of 4.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Levi - August 10 - 10:00 am

  This has been a great car for the dollar. It has alot of the bells and whistles of the competition that you would be paying $20k or more for. The engine is surprisingly powerful. My car was in an accident and did well protecting me.

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  The Car that will surprise you - 2002 Kia Optima
  By Aaron - August 8 - 9:40 pm

  Just a note to those thinking of buying this car. I owned my KIA Optima for 4 years. I recently was rear ended by a full size truck traveling 40+ miles per hour, totaling my KIA. I was amazed at how it reacted. The rear completely crumpled leaving the passenger compartment intact. Even the police officer was shocked at how well it handled and that I was able to walk away. This car has been the safest, lowest cost of ownership, and most fun sedan I have owned. I never had any problems with my car, I put on 96,000 miles on it, and tearfully will have to say goodbye to it. I recommend this car to anyone looking. I am going to purchase the new KIA Optima this week. Enjoy!

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  Dump your SUVs and minivans....... - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By Mainardlaw - August 8 - 1:13 am

  For most people, their practical needs in a vehicle are gas consumption, space, highway performance, handling in city driving, and price. Ive had this car since February, and even though Id never even heard of this car until 9 days before I bought it, it is by far the best vehicle Ive ever driven on all of the practical counts above. You can use it like a cargo van with all seats down, you can carry 7 passengers, its deceptively fast on the highway (cruises at triple digit speeds while quiet as a luxury sedan inside), and comfortable in ways youd never thought of before (best seat entry ever), the ABS and ESC make handling smooth. Not for drag racing, but who really does that anyway?

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  Mistake - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By kia girl - August 7 - 11:06 am

  I had a 2006 Sorento just loved it! Then Nov 4 2008 my dealership called w a great deal. I went for it the car had all I wanted in the 2006. The very next day had to take the car back it stumbled and then I had now RPMs. Turned it off then restart then off I go. They replaced the throttle sensor. Weeks later take it back for the same thing the clean a rodent nest they sold me, out of the air intake. lets just say have had this dang car in every week since ownership. Its going back in the AM its done it again and I have had it back for 6 days. I just paid my second payment I am sorry for making this trade.

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  its a great vehicle except the shock absorber - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By tazirose - July 31 - 7:13 am

  we just purchased a 2013 kia sorento and we thought since we have the SX it will be great. only to find out that it gets really bumpy on the road. we had a 2008 toyota rav4 and compare to the shock, the ride is smooth. if i could just switch the shock absorber from my rav4 to the sorento and my car will be PERFECT!!

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  Like My Husband Its Looks Good, Performs Well but Has Some Kinks - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By rebe99 - July 29 - 9:10 pm

  I purchased my 2011 Kia Sorento in March 2010. It served my purpose. I wanted an SUV with third row seating, high miles per gallon and didnt drain my bank account. After lots of research and shopping I chose the 2011 Sorento. I liked it from the driving a lot. I especially enjoyed the free satellite radio for 6 months, the rear camera/back-up sensor, bluetooth mobile phone feature and the eco-fuel feature. I continue to really enjoy driving my vehicle to this day eventhough there have been some annoying small things that have happened like the turning signal, dashboard lights and now the drivers window have malfunctioned. Overall, it has served its purpose and we feel satisfied and safe.

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  Surprised at the Value - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Suprised Kia Guy - July 28 - 8:33 pm

  Had been looking around at new cars. Ford A/Z plan eligible. Drove a Fusion and an Optima. Even with A plan pricing Optima beat out Ford with Features, Pricing (rebate + discount), and gas mileage. The 5* crash rating was the clincher. With Rebate + discount, paid $14,500 for a well equipped Optima LX. Would have liked to buy a Toyota but with the discount, warranty, and features feel like I got a steal. Had it for 3 weeks now and rides great. Getting 25 - 27 mpg mixed driving. Love the steering wheel controls for radio. Only regret is buying white which looks great, but it going to be work to keep clean. Recommend Kia to anyone looking at a Honda or Toyota to save some $$.