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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  2013 Kia Rio LX - A great value! - 2013 Kia Rio
  By Robert Ricchio - May 25 - 4:18 am

  This car is a great value! We needed a second car. Just purchased so I am not yet sure of the reliability on this model, but it does seem solid! Drives much better than the price. Built in trip computer is great. Supposedly, Cruise can be added by just adding a switch kit under $100. Everything else is already there. Amazing that a shop will try to charge you just under$500 to put it in. (typical). I also own a 2014 Sportage ( great price and value for a Crossover) and gave my son our 2004 Spectra that now has 190,000 miles. My daughter owns a 2015 Soul. No complaints. They are very reliable for the cost.

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  Glad we traded in the Honda - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Tregaskis - May 25 - 2:00 am

  All our friends thought we were crazy when we traded in the 96 Accord for the new Sorento...well the jokes on them. After 10000 miles in 2 months we love the Sorento more than when we bought it. Comfortable is the word and it has not had one thing go wrong yet (more than I can say for the Accord when it was new)..Kia did it right.

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  Try Anything Once! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By E.D.B. - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I find that the accutaments included in this vehicle as standard equipment are far more than what seems to be available in any other offering I have run across. I really cannot comment on the gas milage, except to say that I dont believe it will be as high as the published estimates of 32/33mpg city/highway. Overall, this vehicle seems to be an exceptional value.

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  Good for the price - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Cjreyeshsd - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Has a very powerful engine. The 5 Speed Transmission is Great. In General is Very Responsive. Sound System is decent. Nice Interior distribution. The Fuel economy is the only thing is disappointing, this the heviest minivan of all, but after this vehicle is one of the top ranks in this category. The finishings have great quality

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  Good and cheap to fix if you Know - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Antonio Colon - May 22 - 2:00 am

  We have it since new and i am a drummer and have to travel a lot in PR the only problem that i had with it was the window that broke the power window cable and a small damage on the material of the seats that is weak.but for the rest is ok.

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  Great CUV for the money - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By randen - May 21 - 8:06 pm

  Had a 02 Ranger 4x4 V6 and wanted something able to haul more adults and much better mpg. Looked @ Escape, RAV4 & Mitsubushi Outlander. Impressed with leg and head room and much more cargo room than Escape & Rav4 and much cheaper. Not impressed w/mpg at first but have over 4,500 miles on it now and is living up to EPA rating. It is very quiet for 4cyl and has enough power for us. Is fun to drive and has very good visibility. We opted for the Premium package w/3rd row seat and the quality of interior is much better than the Outlander.

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  Luxury at a not-so-luxury-price - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Bill - May 21 - 7:30 pm

  I switched from an Infiniti to a Lexus. This is without a doubt a quieter and smoother ride. Time will tell about its reliability, since it is a new model, but I feel comfortable with the warranty that comes with it. I got mine loaded, even with ESP, and feel very safe in it.

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  Love this little SUV! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Jaxnurse - May 20 - 7:43 pm

  Bought this only a week ago for my teenage daughter, but have driven it enough to say that I absolutely love it. Its fun to drive, very perky for a 4 cyl. Its a basic model, so had a keyless remote installed for $100, but thats OK. I dont miss the bells and whistles at all, as its got all you need. The stereo is nice, the AC kicks, the steering is tight and it brakes on a dime. I feel this car is save for my daughter, and that says a lot. Im thinking of buying one for myself next year when I get rid of my Nissan!

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  Kia Sorento LX with convenience package and 3rd row seat - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By motorspeed - May 18 - 4:45 pm

  After driving the Sorento for more than 5000 miles I am very satisfied with the car. Ive owned a Nissan (350 Z), Subaru (WRX), and Honda (Si). I consider myself a car guy, and now Im driving an SUV because my family is getting bigger. Recently I did a trip in my Sorento to North Carolina from Fort Lauderdale (780 Miles one way) and was very pleased with the car. Six people plus luggage and the SUV behaved admirably. I really like the steering feel and on center behavior, the solid chassis (car based) and how safe it feels overall in handling. The 2.4 GDI engine feels with enough punch doing the task, and is delivering 23 to 24 miles per gallon. Very good package.

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  Love the Sorento SX AWD - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Michael Tucci - May 18 - 4:40 am

  Great SUV. Beautiful in and out. Excellent quality, performance, design, features, room, comfort, warranty. Great Value Too!