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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  Makes Every Mile Count with a Bit of Fun - 2004 Kia Rio
  By 12String - December 13 - 10:00 am

  For the small entry level price, Ive got a large warranty, good performing but small 1.5L motor that returns consistent high 30s MPG. This little car handles very well on the back- county roads I have to drive to get anywhere - unless I creep up to insane speeds that some testers drive to. This car is ALMOST as good as my late, lamented 91 Mazda 323 Hatchback.

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  i saved thousands and got what i want! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By EricB - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I never expected to purchase a Kia but I am very glad I have. The dealer was very informative, showed me the benefits and instead of talking down the competition, showed me the value of owning a Kia. The Sorento is great, much less than the Grand Cherokee I owned before and has more features and I saved almost $10,000. Ill most likely be trading my Lexus GS300 on the new sedan that Kia is coming out with...

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  Never buy a Kia - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By fullofregret - December 13 - 5:27 am

  Purchased the Kia Sorento Sx because consumer reports rated it very highly and they recommended it. (They have since taken away their recommendation). I had the vehicle for a year and in that time it was in the shop six times to try and repair squeaks and rattles. The drivers seat would squeak, they replace the back of the seat and a month later it too started squeaking. Rattles were happening from beneath the console in the doors and the sunroof. Once the dealer told me that the squeaks were coming from my sunglasses in the sunglass compartment. Of course when I took the sunglasses out, the same rattles were happening. I traded my Kia in for a Grand Cherokee and took a $11000 bath!!!

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  Great car for the money - 2010 Kia Forte
  By MarkPaterson - December 12 - 5:36 pm

  Have had my Forte for 5 months so far. Still very pleased with it. Excellent ride and mileage, very good quality. I have the EX with the fuel economy package (5sp A/T).

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  Suspension Design Defect - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By mark - December 12 - 5:36 am

  Nice car with the exception of a design defect in right front strut. Comes about after 200+ miles, rattles like a failed shock absorber. Kia has admitted to the problem but has no fix as of 5/10/10. Applies to all 2011 sorentos. My dealer spent a week trying to fix before Kia told them there was no fix. If I knew ahead of time, would not have purchased.

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  Best SUV deal with fully loaded features - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By lin - December 12 - 12:43 am

  Compared with many other brand, such as Hyundai, Chevrolet, GMC, Lexus, Acura, Honda, Toyota this is the best deal with touch screen navigation radio sound system package. It will be perfect if the trunk space is 2 inches longer than it is now. Blue tooth is great for cell phone. This car should come with at least one memory button for the driver side and step up bar should be standard with both sides. Ride and handling are great so far. This 2011 sorento is a great choice for personal and/or family use. Great!

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  Never Again - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By rn513 - December 11 - 6:45 pm

  I hate this car. Plain and simple. My previous Rav 4 had this beat by a mile. Radio failed and replaced before 35000 miles. Slider panels covering full length moon roof rattle open with normal driving vibrations, leaving my grandson baking in the sun in the back seat or the sun baking the leather seats. These panels are automated in the Rav 4. For $38000....they should be automated in the Kia Sorento. Air conditioner has a high pitched squeak to it when run on high. Worst of all are the headlights...cant see at night when on normal beams, even with fog lights on. When I ride with high beams on, no one even flashes their lights at me. Mileage ok, poor pickup for a V6 compared to Rav

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  Very Happy - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Peter - December 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 07 Spectra for $7000 with only 34,000 Km on the clock and use it for my daily commute (half hr each way). It has performed without flaw since August and I havent had a moment of regret. Seats are comfortable, heater is good and the radio/CD player provides great sound. Performance is more than adequate for highway commuting.

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  Very Happy with my 2011 Kia Optima - 2011 Kia Optima
  By devildawg1 - December 11 - 3:07 am

  We have had our Optima for 5 months and are pleased with it. The MPG is excellent. We took a trip from Illinois through Pennsylvania and then down to Myrtle Beach and back to IL. We averaged just over 35 MPG for highway driving. This is corrected as the computer reads a little higher than we actually receive. We typically were driving 65 - 75 MPH. I am 64" tall and I fit very comfortably driving. I can even stretch my legs straight out if I need to stretch them. The trunk is large. I play golf so one of my expectations is that I can get 4 sets of golf clubs in the trunk. With this vehicle it is not a problem.

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  Refined Evolution - 2016 Kia Optima
  By BillyB - December 11 - 1:57 am

  I leased a 2013 Optima SXL and LOVED the car !! My lease expired and I got another SXL 2016 and WOW has this car evolved in three years not to mention how refined its become. The cabin is incredibly quiet, even on concrete highways at highway speed. The handling is SO much better than 2013 model, very refined with just the right feedback. The technology is amazing and if you are a techie, you will enjoy it all the more. SO happy with this car, I cant stop thinking about it.....LOVE IT !! ​