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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  JCOLE22370 - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By jcole22370 - November 15 - 3:00 am

  Very roomy, easy to maneuver. Seats are very easy to take out and are on rollers if you cannot carry them. Gas mileage could be better but is ok, seats are very comfortable with plenty of leg room for everyone.

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  Traded my AUDI for this KIA... & NOT LOOKING BACK! - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Kent Johnson - November 14 - 8:22 pm

  Bought this Sorento 8 months ago, and weve driven it every day around town and taken it on cross-country touring. Were very, very pleased. This is no 1990s Kia. My previous car was an Audi A8L - a very premium car - and Im actually more comfortable in the Sorento. I know these two cars are not really comparable, but for what its worth, the Sorento is a quieter, smoother and more enjoyable vehicle. (OK, so its not as fast, and it doesnt take corners the same; but it does what I need it to do, flawlessly). A non-quantifiable assessment thats perhaps most germane: This car makes me smile. (And not just because it cost half of what I paid for the Audi). It is a really nice piece of machinery. The little engine has ample power for an SUV; and I saw 27 mpg overall in our cross-country trip, including short stop and go forays in several cities. (Around 22 in town; averaging almost 24). The huge panoramic sunroof is fun. The longer we drive it, the more unexpected positives we discover. The active speed control is fantastic; keeps distance from car ahead and slows to a full stop if necessary, then starts again without touching accelerator (unless youre stopped more than 20 seconds). Blind spot warning is flawless. The lane keep assist warning is helpful. Automatic opening hatch has been a real help when carrying groceries, etc. The downloadable apps are useful. The voice recognition actually recognizes words (a lot better than my Audi). The sound system with the tech package is pretty good. Especially down here in Dallas, the cooled front seats are a happy surprise. Obviously, Im not swayed by those who insist on a luxury brand. I deeply appreciate quality, regardless of its author. Give me the genuine experience of excellence over a label any day.

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  Excellent car, comfortable and quiet - 2013 Kia Optima
  By happykiadriv1 - November 14 - 3:44 pm

  Driven more than 30,000 miles, excellent car with no problems. Variable mpg depending on the weather...goes way down in the winter. Comfortable ride, quiet on the highway. Lots of standard features that make the car an excellent value.

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  Love it too much - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Lee - November 12 - 3:50 pm

  I have a dilemma.I love my manual transmission Sorento too much and it is aging. I bought it new in Feb 05 and have about 200000km on it. It pulls the 15 boat and loaded double snowmobile trailer.The guys are impressed that I am always right behind them on any trips.I have had a few of the problems others mentioned (coolant bottle leak, head lights burn out, fuel gauge fluctuates, occasionally speedo and cruise cut out) but nothing major.It is manual and as with other manuals I have had 2nd is getting stiff to shift into especially when the engine is not well warmed up.I am considering replacing it due to age/mileage and cant find another manual SUV with all the features I want. Ieeee!

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  Unresolved Problems - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Peggy - November 12 - 10:46 am

  I purchased the Spectra5 for gas mileage reasons and it was a cute car. It was great for the first 4.5 months - consistently 30 to 35mpg and the car was so quiet stopped or running. After that I get 15 to 20mpg with no changes to driving habits, route traveled or where gas purchased and the car is a lot louder. Service dept blames it on weather, car breaking in or just say they dont know and no attempt to look it over. It started at the end of summer before cold started. Make sure that you buy from a dealer that cares. I should have kept my SVU - same gas mileage and no car payment.

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  2005 KIA Sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By nb25 - November 11 - 3:30 pm

  My vehicle has been in the shop almost 10 times in the last year and a half. Fun vehicle to drive but I am really tired of taking it into the shop for problems. The Kia service center at my dealership is also AWFUL! I left a message last Monday with the service manager in regards to some carpet that he had ordered for me in June (yes I have a nice hole in my carpet in my brand new car!) and I still have not received a return call. Not to mention that I have been waiting almost 4 months for them to replace the carpet.

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  Kia Sedona Rocks - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By DwayneAB - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Excelent Ride crisp handling ! Awsome features For $$$

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  Still happy after a year and a half - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Mcubed - November 10 - 10:10 am

  I bought my 07 Sorento as a "demo/leftover" in 09 - I have a gut feeling it was originally a lemon- law vehicle (a leftover almost 2 years after model year end?) BUT I now have just shy of 35,000 and its had 2 problems; an o2 sensor failed and a goofy hesitation issue @ 1500 RPM. Just about to do the brakes. Other than the 2 minor (fixed under warranty) issues - GREAT VEHICLE

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  Kia Rio - 2003 Kia Rio
  By D - November 10 - 2:30 am

  I had this car for two years and had a lot of problems with it mechanically. Through the short time I had it, it dropped a cylinder, the timing belt broke, bending all of the valves and the ball bearing went bad three times. It was very fuel efficient and not a bad deal for the price, but there is a reason that they are so inexpensive.

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  The rio that couldnt - 2007 Kia Rio
  By Arkaneinc - November 9 - 1:00 pm

  I bought the car is July of 2007. Brand new with only 6 miles. Ive owned Kias in the past but nothing like this one. It has the worst gas mileage Ive ever experienced. Not all of the 2007 Models are like this. I know of a lot of them that get 40+ MPG. But if your lucky like me then you will find yourself getting 16-18 mpg hwy doing 55-65 mph. If I could go back in time Id buy a Honda or a Toyota. After taking the car to 5 dealerships they never did fix the problem and have stated they could not find one. You may be one of the lucky ones if you buy this vehicle but there is that other possibility.