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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  So Far I like it! - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By jrgleason2003 - December 18 - 1:34 am

  I took on a new job that required a lot of travel. I had to get rid of my beloved pickup and downgraded to a Prius. I absolutely hated the prius. Granted it gets great gas mileage but the ride and everything about the car was not comfortable for me. I started researching luxury cars and decided between the Kia Cadenza and the Buick Lacrosse. I really felt the buick was a more comfortable ride, the seats were softer but that is pretty much where the pros for that car stopped. I settled into the Kia Cadenza Premium w/the luxury package for $27K. I am glad I did as I took a 500 mile trip and really fell in love with that car.

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  Fun & Easy to Drive - 2005 Kia Optima
  By happywheels - December 17 - 1:53 pm

  I bought my Kia EX brand new in 2005. Its now 2014 and shes still running great & looks wonderful. The leather interior has done extremely well and there has only been one minor switch that was fixed ... other than that shes be completely problem free. Only trading her since we need a larger vehicle; otherwise, Id keep her for another 9 years! Great purchase! We actually purchase another Optima in 2011 and its doing great also. The larger vehicle will also be a Kia. Great cars.

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  Kia Optima EX 2011 - 2011 Kia Optima
  By wdhutch - December 17 - 4:37 am

  First noticed car at Boston Auto Show was able to test drive one there. Really enjoyed it and decided that this was the car to go with, had been looking at a couple of others but this car seems to have a lot of value for the money.

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  A Small Car Hard Not To Drive Hard - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Old Bear - December 17 - 2:00 am

  The great majority of my driving has been in heavy traffic, but I did manage a fairly lightly trafficed trip from San Bernardino to Santa Ana and back. This car is eager to fly. Before I realized it I was zooming along comfortably at 100mph. The car handled nicely, but I slowed. It seemed happy at 80, but had to be restrained to 70. In traffic it is eager and surprisingly comfortable for a large person. Im 511" and weigh 250. Mine is Rally Blue and it wants to race, behavior for which it penalizes you at the gas pump.

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  BEST LUXURY CAR FOR THE MONEY! - 2002 Kia Optima
  By topgunner - December 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Optima used,with 20000 on it, fully loaded for 13 grand plus tax. considered buying new, but the resale value isnt there.YET!The cars leather interior is rich.This car has plenty of goodies.Rides and looks like a 30+ grand car.It is quiet and comfy.Rides smooth but if you like power and refinement go with the v6 its worth the extra grand.I never thought I would ever own a Kia. Never say never.I really enjoy driving this car.GO Kia!

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  Do not buy! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By soccerella - December 16 - 11:33 pm

  I loved my Kia at first. It was a great size..it drove smooth. Then after only 2 months a part broke which was fortunately being recalled. Now not even a year later it overheated and the crank shaft broke. will be 5-7 thousand dollars to fix. Paid cash for the car and now Im out 6200. Cant even trade it in. If you have these problems tell them to look at the coolant leak before they fix anything else. Thats where the major problem comes from. Once it starts overheating its over. Thanks for nothing Kia.

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  rental blues - 2010 Kia Soul
  By fdd - December 16 - 3:17 pm

  my van was hit while parked. thought i would try a soul rental. driven it for two months, now. the worst car i have ever driven; hard flat seats, hard painful ride, noisy 2 liter engine. one of the ugliest cars on the road. good space and headroom inside, although not up to the standard of the competition, as i have read.

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  Fix the defrosters - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By buffalotom - December 16 - 5:47 am

  Submitted review back on 08/27/12 12:30 PM which I still stick by. As for the turbo issue I was having it got fixed, pressure switch needed calibrated for the hot gas bypass, Ive not had any issues since. Got 56,000 on the car now. At this cars price point, you wont find another SUV with this kind of power and gas mileage.

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  Best Decision! - 2016 Kia Sportage
  By Carolyn - December 15 - 4:03 pm

  Buying this Sportage was the best thing I could have done. Its not too big nor too small. My family and I are very comfortable in it.

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  Cool But needs some Enrichments - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Mustapha Selim - December 15 - 10:00 am

  It is a verywell car. but its interior materials r not so rich.... a cute exterior .. good Engine but some kinda heavy.. actually i got a 1600 C.C one .. but it is soooo Convenient