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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  Unique - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By jojo - December 17 - 2:00 am

  We have driven our LX v6 Sorento for 2 months now. It averages about 19 mpg in regular driving and 21 on the highway, lower than expected. The car is well thought out and has great style. The front suspension is louder than my old drum set when going over even the smallest bumps, this needs to be recalled for this reason.Kia knows it is a problem since the new SX uses a different suspension system. Kia think of us and offer a fix to the LX suspension. Other than that a nice SUV.

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  Happy so far! - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By sahill1380 - December 14 - 9:20 pm

  I purchased my Sorento in January and have had no issues. I get 25mpg around town and 29mpg on the highway, much better than my Sedona. Many family trips and its delivered on all the promises.

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  Kia Spectra is Great! - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By wa_wabbit - December 14 - 2:00 am

  While my Kia is small, it is big on style, mileage, handling, safety, and fun-ability! The buying experience was first-class, and the warranty is unbeatable! The only thing I can find wrong with my Spectra, is that the front seat safety belts are tight on the hips. Other than that, I have absolutely no complaints for this entry- level car! Its an extremely user- friendly auto!

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  My New Kia Optima - 2004 Kia Optima
  By DrFate - December 14 - 2:00 am

  My new car is extremly comfortable and it drives like a dream. I have purchased the Optima ES with the V6 and Leather trim. The interior is absolutly beautiful and filled with the ammentities of a much more expensive vehicle. For the money I could not find a better car with any better usable power or warranty. My only concern is that as of yet the mileage that is quoted I have yet to see I am only getting about 17 on the highway. But the engine is real strong and pulls away from a dead stop with ease. Thanks for letting me speak.

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  Perfect So Far - 2012 Kia Forte
  By mustrockon - December 13 - 8:13 am

  Ive owned this car for 3 weeks and absolutely love it. I traded in my 2010 Nissan Sentra SR. I have a dog that is close to 100lbs and he fits in the hatch area no problem. It came with leather, a sunroof, bluetooth, all cargo accessories, heated seats, great radio, and Ipod plugin. It has some serious getup and go even transferring from Nissans CVT which I wasnt sure about. My nissan was fully loaded, but didnt have all the features of this Kia for the same drive out price 21K. I have gone on 3 long distance trips already getting 29+ mpg hwy/city without even being broken in. If you live in Houston area go to the dealership in Conroe, theyll treat you right. Couldnt be more pleased.

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  money pit - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By disappointed - December 13 - 7:16 am

  I bought this car with 38,000 miles on it. The check engine light came on as soon as the 3 month warranty was up. Ive replaced the transmission and the check engine light was still on as it was after the 3 times I changed the catalytic converter. Doesnt accelerate going uphill and slow merging into traffic. The inside is cheap plastic.

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  Dont waste your money - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By billg - December 12 - 9:20 pm

  This is the 2nd Sorento we purchased. The first had a thumping in the drive shaft, after three replacements and a redesigned one and many other leaks and issues Kia bought it back. Mistakenly, I though it could be one bad SUV in a field of good ones. The second has leaky seals, a broken oil pressure sensor and now the rear differential went out in it, all at less than 15,000 miles. We take excellent care of our vehicles, my other truck has over 200K miles. Yes, the warranty is good, but what is the point if vehicle is always in the shop. Please do not waste your money on this SUV.

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  You got to buy this car - 2002 Kia Optima
  By ifront - December 12 - 10:00 am

  The best overall value you can find.

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  Great for the money - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Btnfly30 - December 12 - 9:50 am

  For the money I could not do better. Comfortable, reliable and stylish for 12,000 dollars.

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  Hard to say enough good things about this vehicle! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Ken - December 12 - 6:14 am

  I test drove RAV4, Forester, CX-5, and Rogue. Hadnt driven the Sportage even two blocks before I knew it was better than all the others. Kia really "nailed it" with this vehicle. Quiet, excellent ride, great handling, decent power. Passenger space and comfort is awesome. We just love the vehicle. Great work, Kia.