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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  Repairs are frequent - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By Ryan - November 30 - 5:06 am

  The car is okay but ive only had it since aug 08 and it already has many problems. It needs a new gear shift cable, possibly a new transmission, a new battery, new front strut mounts, the emerg brake is stuck on and the whole dash blinks when the signal light is on. Like everybody else says the body is just like a pop can. Also all the rubber lining on the doors is falling off. I find this repair list ridiculous because the thing only has 106,000 kms on it. The previous owner hit a pole with it and now the trunk leaks like crazy. This is my first car and Im 17. I only have a part-time job. I guess the car will be siting in the driveway a little longer.

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  Im loving this car - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Carolann - November 29 - 3:43 am

  This car is perfect for my needs. It gets great fuel economy, has surprising zip for having a 4-cyl, and is very roomy. It feels comparable to a Camry/Accord. Not quite as luxurious maybe, but really excellent quality for the value. Comfortable ride for my passengers and lots of included features in just the base model that youd have to pay for upgrade in other cars. Id definitely purchase another one of these. Very impressed, did not disappoint at all.

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  Best bang for the buck, hands down - 2013 Kia Optima
  By jestmaty1 - November 28 - 10:35 am

  10 months and just shy of 9,000 miles and this car is getting better every day! Quick, stylish, and just plain fun to drive

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  2013 Sorento LX with 2.4L GDI engine - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By drivven - November 27 - 4:13 pm

  I purchased the Sorento in September and since have put on 3900 miles. The mpg is not as advertised even tho I am a judicious driver, making sure the ECO indicator is on for over 95% of my driving. My combined hiway/city mileage is perhaps 21mpg (hand calculated and not read off the display). The handling is surprisingly good for a vehicle this size and shape. The performance is adequate although my previous vehicle was a BMW 540i so there is no comparison there. Im still trying to get used to the site lines especially when backing up. The backup camera is "useful" altho I still prefer to look back through the rear window when backing. Interior; great. Exterior; nice lines.

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  Kia still has a lot of work to do - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By aubbon - November 27 - 2:50 pm

  This 2006 Kia Amanti was a replacement for a 2005 Amanti which had many problems starting with a transmission that was replaced. The dealer replaced the vehicle with the 2006 and from the very first day I experienced the same problems as with the 05 model with the addition of having the engine light come, intermittent lurching and lose of power. The vehicle spent most of February at the dealership at which point I was offered a Mitsubishi in a straight trade, which was declined. I am now in the process of arbitration to have the manufacturer buy back this vehicle as we do not have a lemon law in Canada.

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  my nice new grankid transport - 2016 Kia Sedona
  By stan grell - November 27 - 12:38 pm

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  Im a KIA lover now! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Tess68 - November 27 - 5:50 am

  My car just hit 68,000, besides a few dings (by others!) I have had no problems, just the rotors replaced. This has been a dependable family car, I drive 20 miles to work everyday through snow, ice, rain, and nice days without a problem. I am a very nervous person on the road in the Winter and this car has been great to me! Starting to make some rattles, and steering shake, I am praying this wont be a problem. I hear after 40-50,000 KIAS are having problems. Anybody out there have any as of yet with this year?

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  Soul is more than value for the dollar - 2014 Kia Soul
  By balkanattitude - November 26 - 10:40 am

  This is my second Kia Soul. I truly appreciate the quality of the vehicle, the handling of the vehicle, and the excellent fuel mileage. I have consistently exceeded the factory fuel mileage ratings. In addition, the Kia Soul has so many standard features that truly increase the value for the dollar. Many other cars would provided the Souls standard equipment as options to be purchased.

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  Great new compact challenger - 2010 Kia Forte
  By buck1nut - November 26 - 7:30 am

  After much research and test driving I decided to go with the Kia Forte EX. For what I paid I could not even touch anything from the competition. It certainly didnt hurt that it was the best looking and had the most standard HP of anything I compared. It has a very smooth ride for a compact car and plenty of pep to boot. This car is certainly worth a look for those considering Honda, Toyota, etc. However, after looking at this car you may not look back!

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  Piece Of Junk - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By kpow903 - November 25 - 6:05 pm

  This van is a complete piece of garbage! I have my 2003 for 3 years and cannot rely on it at all! The 3.5 liter V6 is quite possibly the worst engine ever made. Do Not Buy