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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  2014 Sorento - great value! - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By duanez - April 8 - 3:24 pm

  I just purchased a 2014 Sorento LX V6 AWD - What a great value! I purchased a new 2011 Sorento LX 4cyl my wife is the primary driver of. We both liked the vehicle; still have it. Had a transmission input shaft fail under warranty, but the service was top notch. The V6 is very strong, and the vehicle is very quite at all speeds. After doing a lot of research, this remains the best bet for my price point.

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  Love My Kia - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By ldocheng - April 8 - 10:00 am

  This is the first mini-van we have ever owned. And I love the room. You have all the luxuries without the high cost! We had test driven almost all out there, then this one. There was no question on which one we were going with. The only problem I have noticed so far is a very squeaky drivers seat and I just havent had the time to contact Kia about it. I highly recommend anyone out there looking for a mini-van to go and test drive a sedona and I lay odds you will walk out owning one!

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By pattistolar - April 8 - 12:09 am

  I love my 2005 Sportage. Ive had it since it was 6 months old and its never given me any problems whatsoever! Its 8 years old now, with 160,000 km and is the best vehicle Ive ever owned. Just change the oil and it just keeps on going. Great in the snow too with just all seasons tires. Yay for Kia!!

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  Dont trust their warranty - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By suckered - April 7 - 11:40 pm

  They have two maintenance schedules. No one tells you that you are under the severe schedule until you need the warranty. Transmission failed at 38K. Kia wont cover because we didnt have the transmission fluid changed at 30K per the severe schedule. Normal schedule says look at fluid and replace if needed all the way to 105K. No customer support! No dealership support! A private transmission repair shop states that the fluid is fine & that the failure is due to part failure. Kia doesnt rebuild transmissions, they replace the whole thing and keep many in stock just for this reason. I think Kia is trying to avoid a recall. Wish superman would come to our rescue.

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  Good in some aspects, still lacking in a lot more - 2012 Kia Optima
  By orleans44 - April 7 - 7:31 pm

  Traded my 09 TSX for a 12 Optima SX. While there are tons of nice standard features, like the heated and cooled seats, the turbo, the push button start and the panoramic sunroof, its easy to tell the trade-offs Kia sacrificed to appease the value conscious consumer. If youre a true car person who pays attention to details and spends a decent amount of time in the car, spend a little more and get a car from a manufacturer who figures out the details. The car has great power. It will go when you want it to. The tires are the weak point and you find that out with wet pavement. The mileage is less than what mfr states on the sticker and on the "ave mpg" show in the dash.

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  bought for too much...but love it - 2003 Kia Optima
  By SoberStarlet - April 6 - 9:16 pm

  Although I fell hook line and sinker for a full priced 2003 Kia Optima (just weeks before it would become "last years model"), I am truly loving it. Classy, and fun to drive (with optional sport shifter) I couldnt have picked a better car to be my first "new car" to buy. Next time though...I think I will bring my father to the dealership with me, so that I get a fair price. :) I recommend this car to anyone...its a great car to hand down to your kids (which is what we plan to do) and know that they are safe.

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  New Adventure! - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By gd - April 6 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased my Sportage in August and I mist say I am impressed. After owning 2 Hondas and a Maxima, I was afraid to go outside my comfort zone. So far so good. I enjoy the comfort but the ride is a little harsh. Hopefully I will get use to it. I will report back on the progress.

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  Kia Soul! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By SoulChick - April 6 - 10:00 am

  This is my update from about two months ago (7/12/2010). I now have 4106 miles on my Soul!. I still get about 26 mpg depending on my driving. My plastic doesnt seem to mar except for the areas with the controls. The one complaint I have is with the stereo. My original unit was bad and was replaced; however now we are on the 2nd replacement because the unit they put in "shorted itself out". I tend to think the dealer doesnt know how to install stereo equip. Now my two rear speakers and sub are crackling (possibly blown) and the bluetooth feature doesnt work. Hopefully when I get my new unit this will be the last I hear of this problem. Also, had my 1st recall repair; wiring harness

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  Love My Sorento, But... - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Love My Sorento - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Well, I LOVE my Sorento! Purchased it in March 2010. Have been all over and it has been a GREAT car. Only a few things that I dislike about it. 1). The fuel economy is HORRIBLE! I have a 4 cylinder, but I get 18 in city, and 24 on hwy UGH! Big let down for me. 2). The car ride is very bumpy. Sometimes I am wondering if I am riding on just bare rims. Definitely needs improvement on shock absorbency. 3). Lack of get up and go power. Have to wonder if I am in a power wheel at times haha! Definitely cant jump out in front of anyone. Those are the only things I dislike about my Sorento, other than that I love the car. Great car for great $!

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  Nice little car - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Bob - April 6 - 8:53 am

  Have put about 1500 miles on in two weeks. Mixed driving (city and 75 mph interstate) with AC on about 25% of the time. Mileage 30-32 mpg. May get better as it breaks in. Reasonable power for an econo car. Engine noisey when pushing beyond 3500 rpm, but under normal driving a very quiet, pleasant ride. Good fit and finish. No wind noise in the interior unless wind is really blowing outside (30+ mph). Suspension a little soft. Sounds like it is bottoming out when I hit a pothole. I intend to keep this car a long time. If it is reliable, this car is an excellent buy.