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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  ESC light is on - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By michelle - March 3 - 3:23 am

  I really like this car. I replaced a 2002 Chevy trailblazer with my Kia. I think its a good choice. That car was junk. Recently my esc off light is on. Any suggestions other than take it to a dealer. It isnt doing anything funky or making any noises. It came on after a bad rain storm. It comes on after about a mile a 2 has passed. Other than that its a great vehicle.

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  Good deal - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Steve - March 2 - 5:43 pm

  Overall very good vehicle. Drives well and handles well. All the features of the luxury package are very enjoyable. Well built for the money you will spend. Had some electrical issues with the overhead display console-temp/altitude etc. Good to see that Kia is using a major brand tire (Michelin). Great Job.

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  Kia Optima - 2005 Kia Optima
  By ColinQ3 - March 2 - 5:06 pm

  We own a 2002 Kia Optima, putting around 10000 miles per year on the vehicle. The ride is good to excellent. The MPG is 18.5 to 21 in the city and 28 to 31 on the highway. This is an excellent automobile for the money. The finish quality was/is excellent. One cannot beat the warranty!!. This 2002 Kia Optima is as good or better than any automobile we have owned and beats hands down the vehicles we have previously owned when it comes to the quality vs price issue. We will not hesitate to purchase another Kia when we need to update our transportation!!!.

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  bang for the buck - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By mltura - March 2 - 10:00 am

  After the haggling, we paid $17500 after rebate with the optional abs and roof rack. How can you go wrong. Add in the warranty and its a no brainer. My wife and I laugh at the Oddessys on the road. We paid $6,000 + less for a very comparable vehicle. The Kia was as good or better than the competition. What some people will pay just have the Honda name, what a pity.

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  Excellent Car to drive - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By kel_kel - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Its a great car to drive for all who want to have fun

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  From the netherlands - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Blackcustom - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I had to wait for almost 8 months to drive my Sorento now for 2 weeks im driving it and it is a great joy to drive. Overher in the Netherlands we have a bigger choice off models and i have a 4wd 2.4 ex Custom.

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  Best car ever - 2012 Kia Optima
  By turbo25 - March 2 - 6:42 am

  The 2012 kia optima is the best ive ever driven after owning a 2007 hyundai elantra which has no power or pick up the kia is the total opposite i love it

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  KIAs new 2011 Sorento takes on the other guys and wins! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By heyofficer - March 1 - 5:35 am

  Yep..I know that car magazines get advertising money paid by all the auto manufacturers. And some reviewers are also funded by them. So their reviews may be skewed by Not me! I dont get paid by any manufacturer. And this is my review on the 2011 KIA Sorento SX! We research a lot before we buy just about any major purchase. Weve had 17 new cars in the past 21 years. Toyota sedans, sports cars (MR2 Supercharged!), and SUVs. Honda Sedans and SUV, Dodges, Several Ford SUVs and 2 mini-vans, etc. And we are informed buyers, and PICKY! So when we went shopping it was to replace our Mazda5 "van"...which we were giving to our Daughter for college.

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  The most for the least - 2011 Kia Optima
  By bflem83 - March 1 - 1:34 am

  Traded in my 03 Rio last week... says a buddy, "you went from a KIA to an Infinity??" No, this IS a KIA! This car meets and beats my expectations. The power of a six cylinder with the efficiency of four, this thing is a beast on the road, whether trying to pass or just have fun. I have the SX turbo with luxury package. Corners are incredible, and the ride is MUCH smoother than i expected based on other comments (what, were you driving through feathers before??), and i still cant believe the power behind it (274HP?!). The interior is incredibly elegant, with attention on the driver, and the panoramic roof, wow. Bumper to bumper, this car will have you feeling much richer than you actually are

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  WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE! - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By mailmike - February 28 - 12:22 pm

  this car is amazing...has over 150,000 and going strong...nothing has been done. just routine maintance. I excpect to get another 100k out of it...!!! well built and amazing ride!! luxury at its best!!!! sure beats a caddy ...lol I love it...I think it all depends on the driver. if you keep it all maintained and oil changes, dont drive like your going to a fire!!! and respect the car it will respect you forever!! :-)