5 Star Reviews for Kia

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.33/5 Average
7,338 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 3011 through 3020 of 7,338.00
  • Kia - 2003 Kia Sorento
    By -

    I really wasnt going to buy this car, but when I took it for a test drive I really likes it. It is quiet, has lots of room and storage. My sons loves riding in this car because it is high up. The gas mileage is alright but I did not expect it to be great as it is a truck.

  • Superb, excellent, yesssss! - 2005 Kia Sorento
    By -

    I cant believe the cars performance, Im driving it from Connecticut to New Jersey every weekend and I love how it handles the road, it outmaneuvered the 2006 RAV-4 and all those pricey SUVs. We had a road trip to Virginia and everyones turning their heads - it seems theyre saying "WOW".

  • Excellent Car - 2012 Kia Optima
    By -

    Bought a 2012 EX in October 2011; 10,500 miles on it now. I was looking for a car that had good visual design inside and out, better gas mileage and more power than my previous car [2006 Mazda 3S 2.3L]. Fell in love with the interior and exterior styling, love the driver-centric interior, I like how everything is angled towards me. Was very impressed with the quiet cabin, smooth ride, and nice seats. The Optima, however, doesnt handle like my Mazda did, but I would say thats the only thing the Mazda comes out on top in. The car feels very refined, engine is plenty fast and Ive been enjoying 28-34mpg on mixed driving [Im not a lead foot and its flat in FL]. I also like the ECO button.

  • Wonderful Car - 2010 Kia Forte
    By -

    I traded a 1996 Accord for this car. It rides great, has plenty of pep and the warranty is the best.

  • total enjoyment - 2005 Kia Sorento
    By -

    My wife and i thoroughly enjoy driving the Sorento. We havent found a situation yet that the vehicle cant handle...kids, terrain, weather, traffic, etc. I would definitely encourage anyone in the market for an SUV to consider the Sorento.

  • Great First Car - 2009 Kia Rio
    By -

    Many reviewers complain this car isnt powerful enough, or sporty enough and the tires are too small-the list goes on; I disagree. I have never had a problem accelerating into interstate traffic or maneuvering. The interior is surprisingly spacious (huge trunk) and quite attractive with the SX enhancements. The mileage is excellent. Yes, this is no luxury vehicle and it doesnt have impressive horsepower, but if youre shopping in the subcompact market youre not likely concerned with these factors. The drive is almost sporty and the tire size hasnt been an issue. Youre not dishing out extra $ for bells and whistles and you really wont miss them. I love my new KIA for drives great and small!

  • Try it you will fall in love with it too - 2003 Kia Sorento
    By -

    I did shop around before purchasing the Sorento; it was not a hard decision once I drove this SUV. My last vehicle was a Toyota 4Runner and I never thought I would by anything but a Toyota, it was a great vehicle. Once I took the KIA Sorento on the road it quickly changed my mind. With all the options that are offered with the Sorento, the 4Runner price did not even come close to my fully loaded Sorento. This is the best purchase ever, by far. IÂ’m so glad KIA has finally made it to Des Moines Iowa.

  • Sporty Sportage Rocks - 2006 Kia Sportage
    By -

    Compared the Jeep Liberty, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V, BOUGHT the Kia Sportage, Best value, nicest looking, handles like a dream, better equipped, best warranty and fully loaded it was the lowest in price! GREAT SUV. Highly recommend.

  • Get around cute - 2011 Kia Sorento
    By -

  • 2nd Sorrento, well worth the money - 2016 Kia Sorento
    By -

    We purchased a 2012 Sorento LX a few years ago and loved it. The wife used it for work and traveling back and forth from Houston to New Orleans several times a year. One tank got there straight through. It has held up quite well. No engine trouble due to regular maintenance. We just traded that 2012 in for a 2016 Sorento SX because when you take in every thing, they just give you so much for your money. Very spacious because we have boys with long legs, interior feels like a luxury car, they have cool alloy rims, panoramic sun roof, big screen Infinity radio with Navigation and a sub woofer. Leather seats, separate climate control, 19 " tires and full size spare. The funny thing is , I own a 2013 Sportage and my son a 2015 Forte. We bought them from the same dealership because of the great service, and when go to get our oil change there as well. Even side by side against other SUVs , it stands out and stays very stylish and most of all reliable.

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