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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  GREAT CAR - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Peggy - June 21 - 1:50 pm

  I have been a Toyota driver for many years. My last car was a Corolla, which I drove to its dying day. However, during my research while buying a new car the warranty on a KIA was 100,000 miles/10 years. Once I went to the dealership and test drove one I couldnt believe how it felt. It is great. It drives like the Corolla, and looks kinda like it. For the price I couldnt go wrong. The standard equipment on this car is great. I keep my cars until they die and I know this one will be with me for many years.

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  The Perfect Car - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Happy Owner - June 21 - 4:13 am

  Wonderful car. Nothing but reliable. The only thing that could be better would be gas mileage, but this car is wonderful. Very reliable. Gets good mileage on highway. Absolutely love it. Only real problem is the trunk is super heavy to open. Worse in winter. Sleek beautiful. This car has the exact same interior and exterior as Toyota Avalon and the competing Honda. I dont know why Kia isnt outselling Toyota. You will not regret buying this car.

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  Right choice for us! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Patience - June 21 - 3:40 am

  We were owners of a Kia Sportage. We loved it, but really needed something bigger. We simply LOVE this car. It is very classy looking and reliable. It is a great value for what you get! We never had any problems with warranty work on the Sportage, and the same has been true for the Sorento. We are very happy Kia owners! When we first bought the Sportage in 99... everyone wanted to know what it was! Nobody had even heard of Kia at the time! :-) My only regret is the lack of third row seats.

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  Sorento - Great Buy - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Allan - June 19 - 2:00 am

  We love this vehicle. The value for the money is extraordinary when compared to ANY similar make. We looked at numerous other 4x4 SUVs - nothing came close to Sorento for the money. The next best vehicle (with almost identical options) was priced almost $2,500 above the Sorento. Kias quality has certainly improved and the fit and finish is nothing short of excellent. As far as "real" off road capability, only the Jeep models and the Kia Sorento are listed by a major off road magazine as having this "real" capability. I would highly recommend the Kia Sorento to anyone who wants the best car for the least money.

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  Love it! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Chris - June 18 - 10:03 am

  I traded in my Chrysler 300C (yes, the Hemi) for my Sportage because I wanted to pay less money and needed a car that conquers Clevelands snowy winters. I knew I would be tacking on some negative equity but received minimal with the Kia. Almost bought a new, unsold 2004 4X4 Hyundai Sante FE, but it had this subtle whistling whine at highway speeds. I LOVE my Kia! It drives like a car, the stereo is fantastic, the wind noise is mininmal with the sunroof open and it accelerates quickly and very smooth (apples & oranges comparing acceleration with my Hemi). I cant wait to drive the AWD in the snow with confidence. The rear seats fold flat and the rear legroom is very generous.

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  Gotta Love My Kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By JCerio - June 17 - 7:33 am

  So far, so good. It replaced a Chevy Blazer. This is MUCH better. Im happy with the build quality and engine power. Runs great. I live in the Snowbelt and the 4WD works like a champ. Good fit and finish. Plenty of features and performance for the money. Ive had one problem with this vehicle that was caused by ice buildup - they dont get upstate NY winters in Korea - Kia remedied it right away. The service has been top notch.

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  Awesome Van - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By austincarguy - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Not only is thsi van fun to drive, good looking and powerful - it is one of teh safest minivans made! I am VERY happy having bought this Van, and am having LOTS of fun with it! I iwsh it were a little more fuel efficient, but then I may not be able to tow. LOVE my Kia Sedona!

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  Kia Sportage 2011 - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Deep - June 16 - 7:00 pm

  Its only been 4 days since I bought the vehicle, but this review might help anyone who is looking to buy an entry level SUV. When buying, the brands I considered were RAV4, CR-V, Santa Fe. The good thing about getting a Kia is the ability to negotiate a suitable price. Honda and Toyotas are a little too stubborn to do so. But really, the vehicle has an awesome build quality and drivability. I was surprised by the quality of the vehicle, especially comparing it to the previous Sportage. I highly recommend anyone to take an informed decision, if youre buying a Rav4 or C-RV just test drive the new Sportage! Thats exactly what happened to me!

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  So far so good - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By tol - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Had the Sorento for almost 4 months. Everything has been great so far. It drives very well, handles well and the interior is very well designed. No complaints or problems.

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  Surprising and great - 2016 Kia Optima
  By NapaOpti - June 15 - 8:28 pm

  Like many people I doubted the Kia brand of vehicles just from historical knowledge. However after doing several weeks of research into mid size sedans the Optima kept near the top. I went and test drove Accords, Mazda 6, Audi A4, Fusion, Sonata, and Acura TLX. I own a 2010 Acura TSX commuter car that I like but is getting old. I found that each of these brands has some comfort or convenience issue I couldnt live with. The Kia Optima had the best balance of price, performance, convenience and great technology. Fit and finish are spot on for this class, no problems at all. Every car I have ever purchased I seem to always have to compromise and just get used to. The Optima is enjoyable right from the start and I always look forward to driving it. Sometimes hate to stop! Very glad I expanded my horizons while shopping.