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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  Mountain Happy - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Mountain Happy - August 6 - 7:02 pm

  I researched the Kia Sorento along with other vehicles with 3rd row seating. I wanted a 6 cyl, awd vehicle and luv, luv, luv this vehicle. Its smooth ride, feels like your riding on a cloud. My son hooked up my phone to the vehicle s Bluetooth--so nice to answer and have your phone contacts at your finger tips. Its got tons of leg room both front and back. I havent had it long enough to know everything about it but finding something new everytime I get in it. and you can set your mode to regular, economy, or sport when driving and it tells you how many miles per gallon your getting as you drive. and how many miles you have on the tank of gas which I find very helpful. I keep it on the economy setting and this rig has get up and go when you need to move. Such a smooth running vehicle. Absolutely love this rig. The price you pay for this rig versus the other rigs I looked at are not even in the ball park for what you get for the money. And I found out KIAs are made in the USA in Georgia. I wanted a rig that wasnt going to cost me an arm and a leg that would house my grandchildren (8) this rig has 3rd row seating and sits up to 7. I bought a used 2017.

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  Satisfied Owner - 2007 Kia Optima
  By JK - August 3 - 2:53 am

  Build quality inside and out is first rate. Has good pickup and ride is quiet. Looks like a much more expensive car than it is. A great value and fully loaded with extras you would pay extra for in other cars. Tight responsive steering and good road feel...very European ride (which means youre not floating over bumps).

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  Have owned 2 Kia Sorentos - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Robin - August 2 - 8:40 am

  I have owned 2 Sorentos,EX is loaded,I love it all, gas mileage is good when comparing to other SUVs, Kia is built better and tougher than most, Great price range, sometimes you get what you pay for , but with Kia you get more than you pay for, Great job Kia!

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  Love It! - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By Love It. - July 31 - 4:56 pm

  We had done some research on the Kia Rondo. Love how in handles! Its a great bang for your buck. LOVE driving it! Very rugged. Great features. Like others have posted, not absolutely crazy about the exterior design. Looks more van like than crossover as Kia likes to call it.

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  Kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By fabric - July 28 - 12:00 pm

  Very well built. Great warranty. Has a good solid drive. The ride could be better on rough roads.

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  I would buy if it wasnt front wheel drive - 2012 Kia Optima
  By atx4life - July 28 - 2:48 am

  Kia has done an exceptional job with the 2012 Optima. I had a chance to test drive one and it was very surprising. I did enjoy driving it, however, all that horsepower is wasted b/c its no fun driving a front wheel drive car. You cant drift and there is under-steer if you get on the gas too hard. Being front wheel drive is a major deal breaker for me. If they get smart and make a rear wheel drive or even an all-wheel drive model, I will buy one.

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  Lots of bang for the buck! - 2005 Kia Rio
  By chegge - July 26 - 8:50 am

  This little car is a surprisingly great deal. This time you can get something for nothing. It runs great, drives great, is comfortable and is roomier than it looks. We have a car seat, a high back booster, and a low back booster in the back! My 63" husband LOVES driving this car. Weve got a good family history with this company as well. My parents have an 89 Festiva that is still running fantastic (made by the same company) and a Kia Sephia that theyve had for at least 6 years now that still runs perfect. We also have a friend thats had his Kia Rio for a year now and still loves it.

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  The Power to Surprise. This is a Kia?! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By dratsu - July 25 - 11:09 pm

  with Premium Package. I wasnt this excited about my wifes 07 Infiniti G35x, an incredible car. I expected that to be great. The 7 midsize sedans I tested now should be solid, affordable family cars. I got so much more. 4700 miles, 4 months. First impressions are lasting; still loving it. Unequaled luxury & value - the style, features, and attention to detail are unmatched at this price point. Some cars costing $10K more lack this level of sophistication. How many cars light up for you as you approach, inviting you back? With this amazing car, Kia hasnt just arrived to the midsize sedan competition, its taken the category by storm. The Power to Surprise, indeed.

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  The Optima ROCKS! - 2011 Kia Optima
  By lovemyoptima - July 25 - 9:00 pm

  My Optima is 1 year old - 22,000 miles - mostly interstate/highway.Im still in love with this car! Im confused by other posts about the poor gas mileage?I just took a trip from Boulder CO through the mountains (Hwy 285) down to northern NM and got an average of 32.5 MPG and just under 600 miles to the tank. Coming back, I got 550 miles to the tank or 29 mpg (had to climb more coming back).In town Im getting 24.5-27 MPG.Until I took the plunge and bought a KIA I was a Toyota gal (Camry and Corolla owner and I loved them)...I will never go back to Toyota...they are totally boring to the core.The 2011 Kia is a quality car. It might not be a BMW or Audi but its the closest Im going to get!

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  great car for a great price! - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By nedyarb - July 25 - 6:16 pm

  If youre looking for a great car with excellent fuel economy, this is the one for you. I recently purchased my Spectra and so far Im very satisfied with it. The only thing that caught my attention so far with it would be that it has a high rev in 1st gear before it shifts. Other than that it has been fun to drive, and for the price its hard to pass up!