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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  Appealing Value, Poor Quality. - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Florian - June 20 - 2:00 am

  2004 Kia Optima LX 4-Cylinder Automatic: Dashboard Rattles along with steering wheel when car is on idle, and this is at only 8230 Miles on the Odometer. Trashy loud Engine, No ABS (even as an option), Vague Steering Feel. One of the poorest re-sale values on the market. Easily purchase the Suzuki Verona over this, its smoother has a comparable warranty and has more features for roughly or the same or even lower price, Korean cars are just not up to Japanese Standards. A Used Camry or Accord would also be smart. Dont let the Warranty fool you, how inconvenient to have the car in the shop.

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  Nice Ride!!!!! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Greg Burton - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my KIA Optima EX less than a week. Love the car, and cant wait to get off work to drive it home. This is my second KIA, first one being a Sephia. I was quite pleased with that vehicle, and had no trouble selling it. I decided to move up. My Optima has excellent features, and I love to look of the car. Doors have a nice solid sound when you shut them. Ride is quiet, and very comfortable. The V-6 is smooth, and quiet. My Optima is very spacious, and easy to get in, and out of. Love the hydraulic lifts on the trunk, and hood. Dont have the old fashioned arms crushing things in the trunk.

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  awsome job kia - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By bigdan - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Kia has hit a home run with this suv. It looks awsome inside and out. you try and find a better deal you wont,you will pay at least 8,000 more for what you get in this. this is the 2nd kia I have bought in 4 months. I bought my wife the Sedona 4 months ago and it is awsome to. The Sorento EX 4by4 is awsome,it drive great on the freeway while being wrap in luxury inside. I feel like I am driving a BMW but am not it is better. It rides just as good looks better and I saved a hole lot of money. Anyone looking to by an SUV STOP do your self a favor by the KIA SORENTO NOW!!!!

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  I concurr w/the positive reviews - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By TC Talbot - June 19 - 7:10 pm

  I read all the reviews B4 I bought mine, and yep, MPG could be better. It has actually gotten better as car was broken in more, and weather warmed up too. I swithched to Mobil 1 and a K&N air filter to improve MPG at first oil change. Ive gotten 20-21 mpg a few times since. Radio could use an MP3 jack. Rough ride on rough roads bcuz of short wheel base and ladder frame chassis. Rides like a dream on the highway. Quiet w/o a lot of wind noise. Great passing ability. GREAT interior ergonomics. Superb fit and finish. I have RWD model, and handled the WI winter well. ESC comes in handy. Built like a tank. Handles well. Seat back is great for my back I never took proper care of...

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  01 Kia Rio - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Nate812 - June 19 - 10:00 am

  For the price - you get what you pay for. No dragging in this car! Ive gotten it up to 110mph but it started feeling light so I backed off. The only real complaint that I have is that the car needs atleast 5 (more like 10) more HP. Getting on the highway is not bad, but acceleration from 45-65 is sluggish in 5th and not recommended that you dowshift to 3rd. On high mountians with sharp climbs the car gives off a "odor" what I think is just the engine working too hard. Pluses!! Lots of trunk room and great gas mileage...

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  Dont By it - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By paqman21 - June 19 - 10:00 am

  I would advise you to stay away from this SUV. It is not worth the money. If you are not in a windy city it might be good for you. I didnt like going from the first lane to the fourth lane in one swift blow.

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  2013 Kia Sportage LX AWD - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By rottensox - June 18 - 6:53 am

  I bought a brand new Sportage a few weeks ago. It had less than 400 miles on it from the dealer driving it from a different state. At 800 miles I noticed the rear differential leaking fluid. I took it back to the dealer and they are currently replacing the differential. I hope this doesnt represent the overall quality of the car as I paid over $20,000 for it.

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  My second turbo Optima, and still love it - 2014 Kia Optima
  By easy123 - June 16 - 5:27 pm

  Leased a 2011 turbo and thought the car was great. I only had a few small nits to pick and it was like the engineers were listening to me since the 2014 model addressed virtually all my issues. Steering wheel lights up brighter, ride is more controlled, sound deadening improved. Economy and performance still top notch. Seats more comfy, and back-up camera very slick. It makes if virtually impossible to seriously find another car with the value for the money. Tried Audi, Fusion. A4 Audi was slick, but if equipped like the Optima, it was over $41K...not a good deal. I highly recommend the Optima.

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  Great Car - Buy one! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Steve - June 15 - 6:50 pm

  I spent a lot of time comparing the RAV4, CRV, Outlander, and others. The price, features, MPG, warranty, and most important question "Do I like this car" led me to buy the Soul. I have put on 7,000 miles since May 09. I drive 60 miles a day and have taken this on 4 trips so far. I can truly say I am VERY happy with the Soul, how it is built, comfort, and MPG. I am 6 tall and there is plenty of room for me to sit. My 67" brother in law can also fit into this car! Front and side visibility is great. Rear visibility is good. Handling is great I saved $5 - 6,000 over a RAV4 (which was my 2nd choice). I am planning on driving this til it dies, we will see when that is!!

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  Review of Kia Optima - 2004 Kia Optima
  By JJSPenfl - June 15 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I bought this car knowing that we had a baby on the way. This car has been great for our small family with plenty of rrom for the car seat, a great sound system and a smooth ride.