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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  Great Buy! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Angie - September 16 - 8:00 pm

  Bought the vehicle back in June of 2003 and 34,000 miles later we are still loving it. I have only had it in the shop for oil changes. Only complaint has been with the service department at the dealership - my husband has complained (almost every time) that they over fill the oil when changing it. We would like to buy another one, but will look at the new Sportage first.

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  Shake shake shake! - 2001 Kia Rio
  By lilbetty - September 16 - 1:50 am

  Oh my little kia! I got this car in 2007 with 45k on it as a gift from a friend. Great on gas and does pretty well on the hgwy, but, it shakes and shakes, Its noisy like it shook something loose in frnt and no one can figure out why.really my only complaint about my kia. I also have an issue with staying aligned though it may be my own issue as we like to drive dirt roads, this car will take you anywhere, if you dont mind being slow on the hills its a good ride, I also feel safe, I have been in 2 accidents Though minor and while the other car sustain ample damage the kia had only a paint scratch in each accident...I love this car

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  Very pleasantly surprised - 2012 Kia Optima
  By country6543 - September 14 - 7:55 pm

  My wife totalled her 300C and we looked at new cars for almost 8 months. With the way the economy was I wanted fuel efficient but she wanted sporty and fun to drive. Looked at all the different family cars out there and then drove the optima SX turbo. The features that set the Optima apart was the very roomy back seat for the kids, Great looks and fuel economy. We have around 8,000 miles on the vehicle and still love it. No problems, No noises and she gets raving compliments everywhere she goes. She drives mostly city with a little highway driving. City mpg is about 19-21 but highway mpg is right on the button at 33. I am 62" and have no problem with comfort, front or back.

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  Spectra-Best value for your dollar. - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By hickenb - September 14 - 8:46 am

  Being an ex GM new car dealer for many years and an old Packard-Studebaker dealer along with a Quality used car dealer, I feel I am qualified to be a fair judge of quality and value for the dollar. This is my third Kia. My present Kia has 11,000 miles, has had no reason to even go in for any warranty or even an adjustment for any reason. One of the few of the many new cars I have owned since retirement that this is true of. Just test one out.

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  crv rav rogue cx3 LOOKOUT ! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Alli - September 13 - 12:17 pm

  update : 6000 miles-- Vehicle is fantastic, , gas mileage is far better than advertised. Several of our friends ( CRV, Rogue ) plan on trading for a sportage. We have owned a CRV/RAV/Rogue and now a Sportage. All I can tell you is that these three companies better change fast or else this sportage will bury them. Last fall we purchased a used 2014 sportage lx for my daughter, i love the handling and the ease of maintenance. The new 2017 is a knockout power punch for this company, yes we have the means to afford a 40k car but why ? My daughters power window broke on her 2014 with 48K on it and they fixed it for free, just cant beat the warranty . A few of our friends laughed at us, ( lexus, audi ) until they sat in it then took it for a drive, laugh no more. This is a cool vehicle.

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  One year later - still love it - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Michelle - September 12 - 7:00 pm

  I love this car. It has everything I need (side curtain airbags and excellent warranty were the clinchers in the purchase decision) in a mid- size SUV with the features I wanted - sunroof, good stereo system, lots of storage, plenty of room, very nice looking interior and exterior. One year later, I have had NO problems with the Sorento and it still looks like a brand new car. If you purchase one, be prepared for questions and comments - how do you like it? I will be shopping for a new car, would you recommend it? To anyone who asks, my answer is I love this car.

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  Cheap - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By kia lover - September 12 - 4:10 pm

  I have had this car for a while now since 2003. I have had to do some minor repairs. I have also driven this car all over. Its a cheap car. You get what you pay for. I still have it and it still gets me from point a to b. I accidentally hit the garage with it once all down the side. Its only cosmetic and it still runs.

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  Kia Spectra5 - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By KentuckyRanger - September 12 - 6:20 am

  I purchased the Spectra 5 about 2 months ago and so far the car has performed excellent. The performance is what youd expect from a 2L 4 cylinder engine but as far as the drivetrain, everything runs smooth as silk. The power band of the engine is quite linear and the transmission shifts are smooth and precise. Its taken about 4k miles for the millage to come up and so far with about 5k miles its averaging 31 mpg, not too bad. The ride is superb and the noise level rivals much bigger luxury cars as well. If you close your eyes while riding down the interstate youd swear you where in a much bigger car. The Spectra 5 also has a stout secure feel to it while driving, very solid with excellent feedback.

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  kia forte koup sx with leather - 2010 Kia Forte
  By tn28titans - September 12 - 5:06 am

  This is my first car and it is perfect! Everything is great. Every little thing is perfect. The quality sound of closing the door is great. Its a lot of fun to drive and has great power. I test drove the ex and sx and was much more impressed with the sx. The sx comes with everything nice from red stitching in the seats to speaker lights that flash to your music and it comes with the better suspension and engine.This car is truly amazing.... kia did a great job!

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  Have to agree with other Kia owners - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By mishimin - September 11 - 11:50 pm

  I love the design and handling of this vehicle. Down fall is back door is heavy and must be slammed in order to be closed. I have gone through 2 sets of tires on the front in a 1year, brakes and alternator went out on the same week so that was costly. Kia puts in ceramic breaks which cost more and was told by dealers and repair shops Kias alternators are infamous for failing so you must put in a new one or that one will go bad. Have had 2 new batteries. Front end, paint and windows are new due to a hurricane so I wont replace that.