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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  Purchased 2nd Kia vehicle - 2006 Kia Optima
  By silkymon - June 27 - 7:53 pm

  I purchased this 2006 Optima LX on 16 Jun 2006 brand new from a local dealership here in Colorado Springs. They pretended to have a $3K rebate since I was so upside down on the vehicle I traded in. My opinion, this 2006 Optima LX is built better than the Spectra. Its hard to make a really good detailed review since I only had this vehicle less than a week. I went with price and options over quality. It drives and handles good and has 2.4 liters vs the 1.8 liters the 03 Spectra has. A much faster vehicle with more power. I later found out via the internet that this 06 Optima LX model is obsolete for whatever that means. Many people have negative things to say about the Kias. Im pleased so far.

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  Only two weeks so far, but two good weeks. - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By TJF - June 26 - 2:10 am

  Ive owned this vehicle for two weeks now. I traded in a Hyundai Azera so I was looking for something that felt as comfortable and equally appointed. I wasnt disappointed with the Sportage SX Turbo. From the two tone leather treatment to the center stack this vehicle offers comfort and all of the gadgets that I like. Please dont come to the party expecting good gas mileage, Ive owned Korean cars for over a decade now and theyre all notorious for poor gas mileage. Accepting that from the start I can find little more to complain about. The turbo is fast and the pedal is responsive. It offers 3 driving modes and if you want to get pushed back in your seat, select sport mode. Handling is responsive and ride quality is good and quiet. Ive not yet had the opportunity to see how the AWD handles itself in the snow but living in the NE, it wont be long. For me styling and comfort were two main concerns and this vehicle fits the bill. If youre looking for a vehicle that steps out from the lookalikes and blazes its own path, this vehicle is for you.

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  So far so good - 2009 Kia Sedona
  By scott - June 25 - 11:43 pm

  Currently have 2500 miles and not one complaint. Drives better than our previous 2003 Odessey and 10K less. KIA/Hyundai is challenging overpriced Hondas and Toyota who are living on undeserved reputations and ripoff dealers. This is not the KIA of 5/10 years ago. Dont be afraid to buy. Shes a little thirty with that powerful engine and all the room, but if want great mileage, buy a small Mazda 5 or something similar.

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  Pleasant surprise - 2003 Kia Optima
  By W. J. - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Great value for the money---a v-6 sedan for the price of smaller 4 cylinders. Smooth ride, nice fit and finish. turns many heads, and people are very surprised to find out that it is a Kia

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  A Must Drive SUV - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By mysorento - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I was not sure about purchasing a SUV with the KIA name plate. Youve got to at least go for a test drive.The Sorento is everything the ads say and more. A lot of fun to drive and everyone notices the Sorento when you drive it.

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  Very Impressed - 2011 Kia Soul
  By kipper6 - June 24 - 11:50 pm

  I didnt go shopping for a Kia Soul , I had bought a used VW and after that broke down twice , I took it back to the Kia dealer and asked for my money back , they said look around the lot and see if I like any thing else , I drove the Soul and couldnt belive the ride , build . I made a deal and bought it . I get 26 mpgs around town and 31 on the highway .The radio is great . Over all the car is very well built , easy to park and fun to drive .

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  double check - 2013 Kia Rio
  By stop gap - June 23 - 4:24 pm

  Make sure of the following: Has cruise? Adjustable front rider seat? Nice looking but look for features

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  Good, dependable, first car - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By zach030283984 - June 23 - 10:06 am

  I had a 2007 Kia Sportage as my first car, and got it with 60,000 miles from my father in 2009, who had bought a new car. It was a little under a 150,000 miles when I totaled it the day before Christmas 2014. Slammed into a pickup at about 40 mph and I walked away without a scratch. If you had put a sheet across the window, you would have no idea the car was in a wreck, the cabin wasnt affected, even though the engine was smashed to pieces. I loved that thing to death. I loved it so much I ended up buying a 2005 sportage EX V6 after getting my insurance check. (basically the same car but with all the fancy trims) In that time it never failed to start, never broke down, and ran like a top.

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  Terrible trans! - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By disgusted - June 23 - 10:00 am

  First transmission replaced at 17,000 miles, 2nd at 23,000. Water "sloshing" around somewhere in the dash/floor area that "cant be fixed". I like the warranty, but when the cars in the shop, youre stranded. No rental, no loaner, just stranded. I paid $950 for a used Mazda 626 with 175k on it and its way more reliable than this!

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  I like it - 2010 Kia Forte
  By g - June 23 - 10:00 am

  I love this car, accelerates nicely, good gas mileage, stylish design, quiet and smooth ride. Good price. Just bought it, only regret is that it has NO air conditioning, just assumed it would have ac, cold here so I did not have ac on my check list.