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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  UPDATE: review 2012 Kia Optima SX - 2012 Kia Optima
  By cdh906 - September 8 - 5:10 pm

  This is an update to my past review. I have 67,000 (2.5 yrs old) miles on my car- and I want to get rid of it now. Im very disappointed in this car now. (I previously gave it 4 stars) but reliability trumps here. This car has now left me stranded in a parking lot twice because it wouldnt start. Stuck on the side of the freeway due to a failed fuel pump which is apparently common, but Kia wont pay for the replacement. Without a working turbo more than a few times. The leather is not real - and has started cracking despite meticulous care. Battery died at 2.25 yrs and this is also "the norm" for this car. Having to tow my new car to the dealership on a flatbed was less than fun.

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  Lovin this car so far! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By JAG14004 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I found this to be the best new car deal in its class at the present time. This car rides smooth, and is roomy enough for 4 people to ride in comfortably. The shifting is smooth, as is the braking. Handles curves really well. Minor vibration felt while ideling. Good sound system.

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  im satisfied so far - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By mike40 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Sedona 4 days now, i know thats not enough time to really critique it, but i really like it!!, plenty of storage inside, ( i especially like the lock box under the passenger seat!). And the very peppy engine is a shocker to me, no wimpy 4cylinder here!!!,but the real kicker is the warranty!!! Ford, Chevy, Dodge,and host of others cant even come close!!!!!. Its good to know that when i make my last payment on my van there will be warranty left on it!!!!!!!

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  Lots of luxury features in mainstream prices - 2018 Kia Sorento
  By Ashgreen - September 7 - 9:28 am

  We shopped around for Mid size/compact SUV. After trying CRV, CX-5, Tiguan, Pilot, Highlander we settled down on Kia Sorento. The size is just right with lots of room for front and mid row passengers. The third row is good to have. The V6 engine is perfect for the weight of the vehicle to accelerate. The car handling is very nice with active safety features. The warranty is just great, gives peace of mind for 5 years bumper to bumper and 10yrs/100K on transmission. We have owned Toyotas and Lexus cars before and change to Kia brand was a big decision, we are glad we did make that right.

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  Great Value - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Kevin Bartosz - September 7 - 8:53 am

  I am a 40 years old male 6 ft 200 lbs. that drives 55 miles each way to work daily in western NY. Historically a V6 sedan man but the 4 cyl engine is more than adequate especially with the timing chain vs belt. The miles that I put on that the chain saves a $400 preventative maintenance every 2 years (60,000 K). Suspension and ride is good and headlights at night as well. Taller ground clearance 6.3 inches will help in the winter. I have only 1200 miles on it so the MPG is low 27 the first tank and 29 the second. After break in I expect 34-35. With the long warranty, big time incentives and KIA having a few ears under their belt, it is the best valued import if you are buying.

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  Great car BUT......... - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Chris Bell - September 6 - 2:36 pm

  I bought an 04 Kia Optima EX 4 cyl. from a used car dealer in August of last year. This a GREAT car! Ive been told it looks like from far away a Jag so I call it my Kia-Jag. Interior is great, power everything,leather, fog lights, wood grain, 6 speaker Infinity Sound system with a sunroof but I dont like the gas mileage. For a Kia I was thinking it was gonna be better but I should have done more research. 17/ city 23/highway was not what I was looking for, but hey you get what you pay for. Hope this was helpful

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  Windstar No More - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By robleyw - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Traded our 99 Windstar. Love the Sedona! 2002 Sedona EX: Sun roof, HomeLink, Emerald Green / Silver two-tone with dark gray cloth interior. All for less than $20,500! About 1200 miles on it now and it just keeps getting better and better. EPA mileage ratings way low (15/20) - we see 17.5 to 18 in the city. This van is better than the Windstar in every respect. And the warranty: Wow!

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  The Sorrento EX is a steal at 24K - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Al Rava - September 6 - 2:00 am

  A luxury SUV for half the price of the usual luxury SUVs

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  best purchase ever - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By stan miller - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had the kia about three weeks and so far it apears to be the best auto purchase my wife and I have ever made. We love everything about the sorento.

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  Still loving it 3 1/2 years later - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Weezul - September 6 - 1:06 am

  Ive had this car for three and a half years, and Im still glad I made the purchase. At a little over 50,000 miles, I havent had a single thing to complain about yet. I ran it through the gauntlet on a road trip down the east coast to Florida and back from Delaware at 80mph without a hitch. Due to a relatives illness I put over 20,000 miles running around in it for the past year, and its still running very smoothly, no problems whatsoever.