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:

• 

  Best car I have ever owned! - 2006 Kia Rio
  By ilovemykiario5 - April 18 - 2:16 am

  I have had my Kia for almost 2 years; got it for Christmas in 2005 and it is the best car I have ever owned. I love the way it handles, the gas mileage and the roomy interior is the best ever! The stereo system is fantastic, the a/c works great as well as the heater, and I really cannot find a single thing to complain about with this car! I love it so much that the lack of cruise control, electric windows and such do not even bother me! I would rather have the good basics this car has than all of the whistles and bells that everyone else finds so appealing!

• 

  7,000 mile update - 2011 Kia Optima
  By ggunderson2 - April 17 - 7:58 pm

  Just finished a Highway trip of 350 miles each way thru hilly country. Average MPG of 37.8!!! Seats remained comfortable, ride was quiet. I have owned a new car every other year for at least 20 years and have NEVER gotten as many compliments for any other car. The other day a gas station attendent ran out to ask questions. Not a single rattle or any maintenance to-date. You really should look at this car as it cannot be touched at this price!

• 

  Getting my Moneys Worth - 2016 Kia Forte
  By Tim C - April 15 - 1:09 pm

  Yes the car is very affordable and I was lucky enough to get a great deal but the features this car comes with are comparable with more expensive models. The interior is roomier and more comfortable than what you would expect with a compact model and Im a big guy used to driving SUVs and pickups. The engine has adequate pep and power to navigate the daily urban commute. I have been averaging around 38MPG but I do alot of interstate driving. To nitpick, the steering is slugish compared to other compacts and a little more noise gets into the cabin from the road than I would like. Still I have been very happy with my Forte.

• 

  best used car value - 2007 Kia Optima
  By usedcarbestbet - April 15 - 7:00 am

  Was looking for a 2006 Hyundai sonata used then found this beauty which is a 2007 and got a way better price than the 2006 sonata and car is very similar. Has the same engine as the sonata and a better 5 speed auto trans sonata has 4 speed. This car gets better fuel economy than the sonata. The sonata does have a quieter and smoother ride however not as sporty on the turns as this car.

• 

  Good SUV but not on Fuel - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Dan - April 15 - 4:30 am

  I must state that overall my wife is very happy with her new car. Though, I am not since the gas mileage is nothing near HWY EPA. Sorento is underpowered with AWD and has averaged 20.5 mpg the last couple of weeks. We took it on a 300 mile trip through hill country Branson, MO and the gas mileage was terrible. Dont buy 4 cyl if you have hills. Get the V6, it seems to get the same gas mileage. Aside from poor gas mileage, interior amenities are top notch. Nice to have 3rd row and back up camera. Seats are comfortable but a bottom cushion is a bit awkward, try it out for a while first. Car looks good and price was great. Super quiet..much more than CR-V.

• 

  Big Bobs Cadenza Review - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By Robert Dena - April 13 - 9:22 pm

  I have owned or leased 5 Kias! This includes an Amonte, three ( 3 ) Optimas, and the Cadenza I am reviewing. The 2014 Cadenza I just traded in was one of the finest cars I have ever owned. I never had one bit of trouble with it and it ran like a dream. My ONLY criticism was getting in and out of the vehicle. Because the car was low to the ground and I have a back that gives me trouble on occasion, it was a little bit of an effort to get in and out. Once seated, I had no problems. I would highly recommend this vehicle to ANYONE, and that includes luxury car owners. I can make that statement, because I have owned Cadillacs, Lincolns and other high end vehicles. My advice is simply this, if you can afford a Cadenza, buy it and you will not be disappointed.

• 

  Really Like Car - 2013 Kia Rio
  By natlikescars - April 13 - 1:34 pm

  Excellent car for the money. Gas mileage is as advertized. Combined miles of city and highway for me is 36 to 37 mpg. Highest mileage so far was 45.8 and on a combined trip of 450 miles it was 42.8. Worst mileage so far was 34.5. and we have 3200 miles on car so far. Very quiet car with smooth transmission and peppy engine. In LX you dont get cruise control and I miss that. have the power option for door locks and windows.

• 

  Very Surprised! - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By dmanley - April 12 - 9:30 am

  My wife and I recently had our third child age 5 and under. Given car seats, stroller, diaper bags etc. we felt like we had to succumb to a minivan. After researching/comparing other minivans the Sedona seemed like the best bang for the buck. We have owned our Sedona for 5 weeks now and we are thrilled with the very comfortable car-like ride, smooth handling, climate control throughout the cabin and all the extra room. We are extremely pleased at this point, and cant imagine not having this wonderful vehicle. Highly recommend at this point in our ownership.

• 

  My Optima - 2005 Kia Optima
  By SmartShopperAZ - April 12 - 9:20 am

  We bought this Optima because of the price and Kias past good performance for us. It is very roomy in the back with leg room. My husband is tall and I am only 52" so the seat choices are key. The "toys" are GREAT! Power that this auto has is amazing, and we get a better fuel usage on the Optima than we do on his Rio.

• 

  Used to Be a Honda Enthusiast. - 2017 Kia Soul
  By Car Guy - April 11 - 12:50 pm

  I now own two Kia Souls - The first one (2013) was so impressive in build quality I bought a second upon reading the 2017 reviews. When Car and Driver and Road and Track give a 4.5 out of 5 stars - one pays attention. The 2017 I own Is simply amazing in build quality, ride handling and amenities ...... No comparison out there especially considering price.