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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  Kia Optima SXL 2.0 Turbo Blown Engine - 2013 Kia Optima
  By Colton Pack - November 18 - 1:14 am

  At 80,00 miles I had to replace the engine. In total I spent $5,500 for the engine replacement at the Kia Dealership. They said the cause of it was "metal to metal rod bearings". According to kia I was to blame for not using a KIA GENUINE oil filter. Because I did not use their oil filter somehow metal got in my oil and ruined the engine. Thats a bunch of BS. I read multiple peoples accounts of the same experience with their KIA optima. I saw on the news where Hyundai recalled the same engine this car has. Clearly they need to investigate the optima engine as well. KIA doesnt care about their customers.

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  Extend warranty - 2010 Kia Forte
  By VICTOR - November 17 - 10:43 am

  I bought the sx sedan few days ago, Kia trying to sell me on the extended 10 yr warranty for around $32 mo for 60 mo. Sounded like the 1st 5 yrs are the same as Kia warranty. Also, I got car for $17,800 otd everything except leather, not sure yet if I like the sunroof

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  Great Little Car - 2013 Kia Rio
  By Dan Ferguson - November 17 - 1:50 am

  I love this car. My wife and I bought it about 1 year ago used and it has not given us any trouble. Had 21000 K miles on it when we bought it and weve now got 37000 K miles now. Will be giving this to our daughter, though as she just finished med school and needs a reliable little car where she lives. Shipping it to her today. Got the LX package and it didnt have a few items that I added. For one thing, it had no cruise control, but theres an OEM change that you can do through your steering wheel to add it. Works like a charm. Would not hesitate to buy again.

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  Come on performance parts! - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By azsnow - November 16 - 1:00 am

  I purchased this car for better mpg, and received a whole lot more! I have only had it for a year and have had 29,000 trouble free miles. It doesnt hold its resale value very well, but when you compare it to other cars in its class, you get way more for a lot less.

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  My Review - 2013 Kia Soul
  By Bill Bartlett - November 15 - 7:36 pm

  I love this auto. So very roomy inside it really surprised me. So comfortable to get inside and out. I owned a 1960 Austin Healey 3000. I always compare this autos steering to that car. It handles beautifully. My friends are always very surprised at the comfort. The large engine is really zippy. I just have no complaints against this auto.

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  Best Midsize Car for 2011 Update #3 - 2011 Kia Optima
  By dankocke - November 14 - 9:54 pm

  Left Pull Issue 90% eliminated by getting new tires. I was very hesistent about going this route as Kia would not offer to do this for me. Ive read the discussions on Kia forums and people who changed tires had success. Luckily I was one of them. I went with Yokahama Avid Envigors about $100 each and the fun factor has returned to this car 100 fold. These new tires handle much better, are better in the rain and provide good road feel with a much better pronounced on-center feel. Otherwise, my Optima is performing well. With the sweltering heat my mileage has been between 27 and 29mpg commuting to work and back.

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  My first Kia - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By C.Knill - November 14 - 7:03 pm

  I wanted a 4x4 bought it used then it cost me $1800 to get the front wheels to work properly.Serviced at the dealship and was treated like royalty. I LOVE the fact its full frame and not a unibody!!! ABS and brake warning light come on stay on till shut down and restart for no reason. Low power but hey 4cyl and 4x4 dont mix LOL. Made its way through 4 feet of snow last winter and numerous flooded streets this spring!!Rugged little beasty...Im happy with it.

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  WHAT THE BLEEP HAPPEND TO THE MPG ?!!?! - 2012 Kia Sedona
  By amfrost - November 13 - 5:46 pm

  The sticker states that this minivan get 18 city and 25 hwy, which I expected after purchasing the vehicle. After 2 months and over 1200 miles the best Ive been able to get out of it is 16.5 MPG. For a 21.1 size gallon tank, I become extremely aggravated when I cant even drive 300 miles before Im in need of a fill up. I felt that this was a rock solid value when I purchased it. Everything else about the van meets or exceeds my expectations. But if I wanted such horrendous gas mileage performance I should have just purchased an SUV!

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  Great Buy! - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Cjacks - November 13 - 10:23 am

  I did my research before purchasing the KIA; you have always here how KIA is cheap. I find nothing about my Sportage cheap, compared with the Escape, Sorento, and Tribute. The sleek design, great price, and KIA warranty sold me on the Sportage. I have enjoyed how it handles and the room in a small SUV. Gas mileage around town; I am getting around 19mpg. On a trip we get 25mpg. Not bad for SUV.

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  I love driving this car - 2010 Kia Soul
  By 1Linda - November 13 - 4:13 am

  I love driving this car. I love the room and not visiting the gas station as often anymore. I do recommend this car. It is small on the outside but big on the inside.