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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  Love this car! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Best Vehicle Ever! - July 9 - 6:00 am

  This car handles like a dream. Great on winding roads and great on gas. Plenty of room for my weekend job of craft shows. Through the week, all my grandbabies fit in it at once. Love the new body style. Looks like a more expensive car at an affordable price. My husband even loves this car!

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  Love love love the Sorento - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By Paula Rochon - July 8 - 9:35 pm

  Comfortable and looks great. I love the interior. The controls are very easy to use. Fuel mileage isnt the best but using higher grade fuel I notice I get better fuel mileage. The pick up once fuel pedal is pressed is awesome.this car " gets on it " fast. VERY comfortable and quite ride. My car is loaded with all the features. Sound system is far above normal .

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  Best sedan on the market - 2018 Kia Optima
  By Joan Marie - July 8 - 2:40 am

  I love my 2018 Kia Optima! Comfortable, good looking and efficient in so many ways

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  What an amazing car - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Yasmin Longoria - July 7 - 11:00 am

  I am supposed to write what other buyers should know here. Go buy the car! That is all! It is amazing.

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  a lemon - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By notveryhappy3 - July 7 - 3:46 am

  I bought a 2008 Kia Sorento brand new. After 6 months i had to take back to dealer and the rotors had to be resurfaced so $150 later I had to take it back a couple of months later the throttle sensor went out. From there was every sensor in the car. I had to take it back to the dealersip every 3 months for a year, It has been 1 problem after another with this car. I started haveing a problem with the car when I would crank it of a morning it sounded like the motor was gonna come out of the car. I took it to the dealership and they told me it wsa just over due for an oil change (not) then they put some oil additavies in the car told me to drive it for a week and it would be fine (not) took

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  Fine car with a couple of odd quirks - 2012 Kia Optima
  By scrapalara - July 7 - 1:04 am

  600 miles into my 2012 Optima EX w/premium pkg (pano roof, UVO stereo), no NAV. First, Ive read several reviews that say they upgraded to the tech pkg to get the backup camera. With the EX premium pkg, the backup camera was included. Car is quiet and responsive. I have a 60-mile daily commute (one way) and running about 69-70 with the cruise am getting about 32 mpg. Expect this to improve as the car breaks in and the weather warms. A head-turner! Trading up from a loaded 05 Sebring convertible, so, to me, road noise is quiet! Handled 8" of Illinois snow with ease and stability. Very pleased so far!

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  safety problem - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By kim - July 6 - 12:31 pm

  my daughter and I have owned this car for 2 years, both back seatbelts are fraying in the same spots. They said because there are dog hairs in the car the dog must have chewed them. My daughter is a dog groomer, she does have a dog but it would be impossible for him to chew them considering where they are wearing (inside the housing). These are my grand children, they deserve to be safe. they said they are not covered....what the heck!!!!!

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  kia can not be beat - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Barbara Nesbitt - July 6 - 10:00 am

  this is the second Kia I have owned and I would never switch to anything else. The Sopia is roomy,stylish,fun to drive,holds the road,easy on gas,runs fast and takes mountains nicely there just great I have owned and driven many cars and none of the others have anything on the Kia.and they are affordable as well as has a great company warranty

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  dissatified - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By armleg - July 6 - 10:00 am

  mileage is poor,gas tank is too small.interior storage is great.I dont like the locking system.

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  Spectra is build for life - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Joe Gagner - July 6 - 7:36 am

  I just bought a Spectra 5 Hatchback. This car is sweet. This car is fast looks good and has a standard spoiler how cool is that. Toyota and Honda charge 500 for all standard. Safety must be first when it comes to this car 6 Airbags plus an automatic airbag that shuts off when someone under 75 or no one is sitting in the passenger seat. Great suspension