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:

• 

  Front doors will not open - 2005 Kia Optima
  By carrie748 - May 26 - 4:56 pm

  My Kias doors started locking and unlocking by themselves while I was driving. I am currently unable to open either one of my front doors and have to climb over the back seat of my car. Research as shown that this is a commen defect of the car. Beware before buying becasue Kia will not fix this issue. It is a serious safety concern. And very costly. I wouldnt recommend buying this if you are looking for a safe car because sooner or later your doors are likely to lock up on you also.

• 

  A stylish and sporty SUV - 2016 Kia Sportage
  By RG3000 - May 26 - 9:46 am

  I purchased a 2016 Kia Sportage and was pleasantly surprised at the handling and peppiness of the sportage. There are many vehicles that use the word "Sport" but they rarely live up to the billing. I was really impressed by the sporty ride and handling of the Sportage. I have the model before the redesign that I love (the new style not so much). I have had no problems with the vehicle and have taken it on several road trips and she held up well.The seats are comfortable for long trips. The area where the Sportage does not shine is fuel economy. If the MPGs were a little better it would be a near perfect vehicle.

• 

  Take car of your car it takes care of you - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By car buyer - May 25 - 2:56 pm

  Love, love, love this car. Weve had it for 3 years now and havent a single serious problem. It drives great, fun, sporty, cheap! Been a great family car.

• 

  Unhappy Owner - 2012 Kia Soul
  By kmcars123 - May 25 - 1:38 am

  Car hesitates and kills when stopping. Have owned for 9 months and Kia is still trying to get it fixed. Have been assigned Kia rep by corporate offices, but they dont really seem to care and are almost impossible to get a hold of. Since car is in shop again for last 3 weeks...will be filing Lemon Law, and hopefully we will get some results.

• 

  Affordable Luxury on Wheels - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Charles Miller - May 23 - 2:53 pm

  The Amanti is a head turner. I receive stares and comments quite often, and it gives me the feeling of driving a very expensive luxury sedan.

• 

  I love my Kia!!!!!!! - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Sedona - May 23 - 1:13 am

  The only problem I have had with my van is that the air conditioner has had problems since we purchased it. It made weird noises. Then it decided to stop blowing cold. However, the biggest problem in not the air, it is the service dept. We have it in the shop now, it has been there for 5 days, it should be ready tomorrow. I HOPE! I had to argue to get a loaner, as I was without a car for 5 days. The service that I was promised leaves a lot to be desired. Because of this I am unlikely to purchase another Kia. I am taking a 300 mile trip on Friday, so we are cutting it close with getting the air repaired. I Have asthma and have to have the air.

• 

  Best Midsize Car for 2011 Update #2 - 2011 Kia Optima
  By dankocke - May 22 - 4:00 am

  Left pull issue has not been resolved but Kia corporate is working the issue from all angles, though with no fix so far. Took a 2000 mile trip last week from Missiouri to Florida. Car is a very good travel car for long distances. Gas mileage was not as good as expected but then again my average speed with A/C on was between 80 and 85 mph. Gas mileage in these conditions hovered between 27 and 29 mpg. This is inline with just about every other midsize car Ive had as rental cars. A/C does make a difference and speed over 75mph makes a big difference. Otherwise the car is super quiet and had no rattles.

• 

  Rio Cinco, 1st New Car - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Linda E. - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy the comfort and reliability. Although, I did experience a small problem with the inside door mechanism, the dealerships professionalism, customer care and the manufacture warrenty made the experience painless in all aspects. I promptly received a rental car, and was pleased with the end results of the repair. I would like to add that Kia and the dealership have called me after every service, including oil changes, to make sure I was treated as a valuable customer. Not only has Kia gone out of their way in customer care, they have confidence in their product with one of the best warrenty programs out there.

• 

  2002 Kia Spectra - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By RIpper2131 - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Purchased in Jan 2001 solely as a commutter mobile...30000+ a year going from Baltimoire to Falls Church, VA all at 32+MPG for an automatic! Not the sportiest thing on the road but get me from point A to point B

• 

  MY KIA - 2010 Kia Soul
  By juliette - May 19 - 10:00 am

  We left ride away for a long trip with our new Kia Soul. Drove to Alaska. Round trip more than 12,000 miles. Fuel was amazing. Even loaded we done better mileage than suppose too. Not once we got out of the car because it was uncomfortable. After hours of driving always felt rested. We had NO problem at all. During the trip, we done 3 oil change. That was all we needed to do. Alaska was my longest driving trip. So glad we done it with such a comfortable reliable and economic car. Love it