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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  Lucky or a Good SUV? - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Meaggro - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive had mine for a little over a month and I love it. Could use more Horsepower. Cup hold is in a real lame place. Stereo sounds great and the add-ons (cargo mat and window visors) were worth the money. Like the full size spare and the fold down rear seats. Good, solid car overall. Also own a Sedona (LOVE IT), this is my second Kia. I love this company, but the dealership makes all the difference. Ive had both a bad experience and a great experience with two different dealerships.

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  Surprised!! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By NowaKiaman - August 18 - 2:00 am

  We test drove several different SUVs and honestly were not giving KIA any thought. My wife saw the KIA SUV on the road when we were test driving the MDX. She wanted to drive it. I of course was hesitant, but allowed (quite honestly just to amuse her). Imagine our, especialy my, surprise when the salesman started talking about the SUV. The smooth ride floored me. I did not know what to say, or do; the best SUV I had driven was a KIA? Though it did not have all the pleasantries of life (ie automatic windshield wipers)we decided to buy the Sorento, and still very much love the SUV. Highly recommended to any one in the mid-size SUV market.

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  Love at First Ride - 2014 Kia Forte
  By love4cars73 - August 18 - 12:17 am

  I was looking for something with a great warranty AND something that had a classier look, I found both in the Forte. I got the EX model because I wanted something with a bit more kick. Its a smooth drive and its nimble I am able to weave in and out of traffic with a breeze. Overall I am COMPLETELY satisfied with my purchase.

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  Awesome value! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By airtexaco - August 17 - 10:49 pm

  I was attracted to this vehicle by the front end, it reminds me of a European CUV. The drivers area is well laid out and it comes with a ton of standard features. I really enjoy the Sirius radio. Mine is the V6 and if anything, it is over powered for its size =) It is not blazing fast, it just has a high power to weight ratio.

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  We are getting excellent value from our sedan - 2010 Kia Forte
  By smulvey - August 17 - 10:39 pm

  We have a 2010 FORTE EX lease car for $ 239 a month with -0- down, -0- first month payment and a $ 400 disposition fee. So our monthly cost for this car is pretty low. We have 20,000 miles on it to date. We just drive 500 miles Sunday Dec 9,2012 and we got somewhere between 32 and 35 MPG. We have Blizzack Snow tires, four adults in the car, limited luggage. We adjusted the seats to get good leg room, we are all 6 foot tall. We have the Automatic 4 speed. The cars equipment all works good. We have had no dealer service. We do oils changes and tire changes. That is all. Our dealer is a dishonest crook. ( Vision Kia of Fairport NY ). He cant change so we just pray for him and hope for best

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  My 1st SUV - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Jill - August 17 - 4:33 pm

  I would highly recommend a Sorento to anyone looking for a "smallish SUV." After driving a 2-door sports car for 9 years, the jump to an SUV was a dramatic change for me, but I couldnt be happier! The Sorento is such a smooth ride, and the base model has all of the bells & whistles I could possibly need. Just took it on its 1st road trip (600 miles), and it handled beautifully. Around town I average 26- 27 mpg, and easily get 30-31 mpg on the interstate. The mpg sweet spot seems to be between 55-60 mph, and on my road trip I actually bumped the mpg average all the way up to 38.3 mpg at one point!! Obviously fuel economy was the selling point for me, and I honestly couldnt be more satisfied.

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  Watch out if you have infants... - 2005 Kia Optima
  By sesasalt - August 17 - 11:30 am

  We bought this car when we had a one year old child, and now we have a two year old and another baby on the way. We are out of luck on using the nicer strollers though because the trunk is very short (as in height). We are unable to fit our single seater Graco stroller in it w/o scratching the top of the stroller handle, and almost all the tandem strollers are too big... We are just unsatisfied with the size of the trunk... Other than that, we dont have any major problems with this car.

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  Love my 2012 Kia Sportage BUT Wheres The Rattle? - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By jponder - August 17 - 3:52 am

  I never thought Id own anything but a Ford or Chevy but the Sportage caught my eye. I test drove several and decided a White LX AWD with the Convenience Package was perfect for me! I now have 5800 miles on it and I love it BUT I have this annoying little rattle thats driving me insane. It sounds like its around the lower part of the windshield/dash area. Ive now had it to the dealership 3 different times, an hour and fifteen minute drive one way, and they cant find it! It doesnt do it until I reach 60mph and then its non stop. Has anyone else had this issue?

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  great value - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By DeAnn Hair - August 16 - 10:16 am

  I was recently widowed when I purchased my Kia Sedona. I wanted leather and a great AC---for FL lifestyle. I haul grandchildren, crafts, and travel out of state frequently. Reliable, attractive vehicle. Purchasing it was a very good decision.

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  Excellent Buy & Very Pleasant SUV!! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By kandeemann2001 - August 16 - 7:05 am

  I purchased used in Dec 10 w/ 50,000 miles. 2 months and 5,000 miles later, not a single problem and absolutely a pleasure to drive! I upgraded from an 00 Sportage, so Im LOVING all the extra space, extra comfort and extra POWER from the Sorento. Seats are unquestionably the most comfortable ive ever sat in, power is MORE than enough than ill probably ever need, and theres a ton of space, both for passengers and cargo. I park next to plenty of the newer mid-sizers at work (Highlanders, Pilots, XC90s, etc.) and it looks just as stylish. Mine is white with the beige interior and gold cladding - VERY NICE! Steering is light and easy to handle. Super comfy ride to work and school everyday.