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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  Red Kia Optima - 2007 Kia Optima
  By RayS - August 29 - 6:13 pm

  2500 miles. Averaging 23 MPG in town. Just got 33 MPG on its first long interstate trip while running in the low to mid 70s. Car is comfortable and quiet. Not a sports car, but, it is very competent with about 5 PSI extra in the tires. Transmission and engine seem to be well matched and smooth. On the interstate, even in full auto mode it does not down shift at every hill. In the manumatic mode you can make it hold 5th even longer to increase mileage. Acceleration will easily keep up with any reasonable traffic without flogging it. Like the chain drive camshafts that do not require replacement belts every 70K. No problems yet – car has not even been back to the dealer.

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  My first Kia - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By L - August 28 - 4:50 pm

  This is my first Kia and I really like the Sorento EX. I heard pros and cons about the Kia Sorento when I was shopping around, but after comparing several SUVs, I like the interior and exterior design of the Sorento the best. We travel a lot and the ride is very comfortable and its fun to drive!

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  Great little car - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Homer - August 28 - 10:00 am

  My parents purchased this car for me shortly after they came on the market. I absolutely love this little car. It takes me everywhere, and I have never had a mechanical problem. Even if I did, Im happy that I have Kias 10 year warranty. It was super affordable, and easy to trick out. If yourre looking for a reliable, fun to drive, and inexpensive car...check out the Rio. This sounds like a comercial, doesnt it!

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  GREAT LITTLE CAR - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By SKIPPER - August 28 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS A GREAT LITTLE SUV IN MUD YOU CANT STOP IT. RIDES SMOOTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND JUST ABOUT AS GOOD OFF ROAD!

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  My Kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By bobtutton - August 27 - 6:56 pm

  If only the fuel economy was a bit better, but it is still the best vehicle Ive owned. Lots of bells and whistles, great off road ability and just plain fun to drive. The great warranty, free oil changes for life, [only in Canada you say, O Canada] and a dealership that is great has made this the best I have ever experianced in the buying and owning of any auto.

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  Better mileage than EPA DATA - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Jim V - August 26 - 5:12 pm

  Took delivery of my 2017 Sportage SX just before the Labor Day weekend and had the opportunity to drive it on 2 trips. The first was a 300 mile round trip, 90% rural highway, speed range between 50 and 65 mph. Result: 28 mpg. The 2nd trip was shorter, approximately 100 miles, 90% highway 60-75 mph. Result: 26 mpg. Both trips had AC on and was in "Eco" mode. The car and driving experience? Wonderful!

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  Sportage - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Ray K - August 26 - 10:56 am

  Have had Kia Sportage 2 months. Have tried competitors and $ for $ cant beat value. Have an Amanti (2nd one) and as for value/comfort for $$ compares to the best of them. Not small guy was going to get Cadillac but not enough difference to make the addl $$ worth it.

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  Great Van for the $$ - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By PhillyJohn - August 26 - 10:33 am

  07 EX with power package (power sliding doors $ liftgate.) We initially wanted an Odessey, but after driving both we went with the Kia becuase of the warranty and price, (A similarly equipped honda was $7K more.)and couldnt be happier. Its has a powerful V6 with a smooth shifting trans and handles well for the weight of the vehicle.(4600lbs.) Fuel economy is outstanding on the highway (24-28 mpg)though it suffers in city driving. 14-17 depending on traffic) I wish we would have opted for the DVD system for the kids. This is a great family vehicle! The only complaint I have is at 20000 miles it has developed a few rattles in the back.

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  car good, factory? sleazy option packages - 2012 Kia Sedona
  By buzzk - August 24 - 4:39 pm

  we drove several of these til the dealer came up with the colors my wife wanted; on a blustery crosswind day, we compared Sedona to the 4 & 6 cylinder Siennas & the Oddysy in a 6+ mile run on I-70 & a winding, hilly no-shoulder 2-lane. the Sedona & Toyotas were very good & close, the Honda conspicuously less controllable in the twistys & harder to keep in a straight line in freeway crosswinds. We now have 20k on the car & changed to a decent tire-Cooper CS4 at 15k. Drives beautifully. OTOH the autolock/unlock is an idiotic security nightmare, hoodlums will love it, you are a sitting duck when you park

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  Great Little Truck - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By lg - August 24 - 3:06 am

  We owned a Ford Escape and bought this as our second vehicle. It quickly became our first vehicle. The ride is great it handles great and it comes with so many standard safety features. The ride is so much better than the Escape and a lot quieter too. Really fun to drive. We liked it so much that we traded our 2004 Escape in for another Kia product, the Sorento.