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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  Gotta love it - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By TXKiaOwner - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car 14 months ago and have had no trouble what so ever. I have about 20,000 miles on it and will probably need tires in another 10K or so. (I drive mostly all highway). Gas mileage is about 31-33mpg. (5spd)

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  The BEST purchase EVER! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Megan F. - February 7 - 10:00 am

  Just to sum this up in a nutshell, this was the BEST purchase we ever made! We researched every mini van on the market, and test drove several different makes. The KIA drove the best, and is so comfortable! The best part, the price, unbelievable. We couldnt be happier!

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  Impressed - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Jan - February 7 - 3:53 am

  Honestly I was skeptical about buying a KIA. However, after checking reviews and safety ratings, I thought I would give it a try. Man, am I glad I did. Great power in the V6 and what a comfortable car! Also, the salesman and finance department went out of their way to help me, seeing as I was upside down on my trade. I even ended up with a cheaper payment than I expected. I am impressed with the interior, the sound system and the performance. This will be a keeper for me ... after three non keepers in a row! Fun to drive, love the sport shifter too. Great car for the price. Great warranty. Not a single complaint!

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  Everyone Needs a Titanium Soul (Now & Then) - 2011 Kia Soul
  By cooksley007 - February 6 - 12:59 pm

  I purposefully ordered a 2010 “plus” model with a myriad of options because the criticism of the “exclaim” model for highway noise and rattly ride (due to the larger diameter rims) was proved out in my test drives. I Love this car! I smile every time I see it parked or in my driveway (and not because of the hamster commercials). Although I view it as my mid-life, commuter, anti-sports car, it handles surprisingly well and has plenty of zip when merging onto some of our (Philadelphia area) white-knuckle highways. Interior has plenty of room for a teen, a tween, and a hockey bag !lenty of room for a teen and a tween and a hockey bag.

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  Sorrento...Who knew? - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Paul Ligotino - February 6 - 12:09 pm

  Amazing value. Traded in my BMW for financial reasons and was pleasantly surprised with the quality and overall ownership experience. Absolutely love this vehicle. Rock solid in every way.

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  A great value - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By John H. - February 6 - 11:43 am

  Bought this for half the price of its competitors - Now have 120,000 miles with few problems. Service centers are mostly good ( one big exception & on big ticket items like air conditioning it pays to shop around ! ) Ask Kia sportage drivers you meet & almost all like their cars. Hardly ever see one for sale - people keep them until the cows come home. Recent changes to big & fancy models made the KIA SUV just like all the others.

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  a couple of minor details... - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By mainedriver - February 6 - 9:06 am

  Overall I have been very pleased with this purchase, it is a great looking vehicle with a comfortable ride and good handling. The only problem Ive had is the dashboard clock not keeping time, I have since found out this is a common problem with the 05 model so check that before you leave the dealer. It has taken a while for that part to come in, and although not a big deal in the whole picture, it is an annoyance. Put this vehicle side by side to the Lexus and they look like twins. A good deal for the price.

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  Soul So Far - 2010 Kia Soul
  By kansascity - February 6 - 4:16 am

  I have been looking at cars and researching for almost a year. It was a very tough call between the soul and the cube. Ultimately the cube won (thank god!) mostly because the design (in and out) was so much more appealing, and didnt seem so bland as the cube did. Overall this car has been fantastic with just a few minor (and often mentioned) flaws. But for the price tag, and a brand new vehicle, I couldnt be happier. The night I bought my vehicle I noticed a crack growing from the bottom of my windshield. By the next day it doubled. Luckily the dealership agreed to replace it at no cost to me. And again, the interior door (directly under the side Windows) does scratch easily

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  Love driving it - hate the recent fixes - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Barb - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Original owner. 140,000. Other than the headlight and coolant reservoir issues that ALL 04 Sorentos seem to have, Ive replaced the throttle position sensor. Has been reliable and though mostly highway miles, it has never needed brakes (knowing how to drive a stick has helped with that). Doesnt eat tires, and get about 21 mpg. However, PCV and Catalytic Conv. need replacing now. Will be paid off next month and has NO resale value. Will drive it til the wheels fall off (fun off road), but hope I can get the parts for my mechanic for the current and upcoming fixes. Almost all must be purchased at the dealer.

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  Nightmare - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Lrnosbig - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Loved my Kia Sorento until 20,000 miles. Then the nightmare problems began. Front axle broke in a busy intersection, ripping up the transmission (risked my life). Waited 3 weeks for parts. Took a deep breath and trusted the vehicle again. 2 weeks later the front CV boot failed on the freeway (risked my life again)! Kia headquarters would not buy it back. Kia dealership said "no thank you." They wouldnt even accept it as a trade- in. We ended up taking a huge loss on it as a trade-in with a different car company. Buyer beware. Id like to hear from other folks after they have put 20,000+ miles on theirs. Ill never buy another Kia product again.