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:

• 

  Gotta Love My Kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By JCerio - June 17 - 7:33 am

  So far, so good. It replaced a Chevy Blazer. This is MUCH better. Im happy with the build quality and engine power. Runs great. I live in the Snowbelt and the 4WD works like a champ. Good fit and finish. Plenty of features and performance for the money. Ive had one problem with this vehicle that was caused by ice buildup - they dont get upstate NY winters in Korea - Kia remedied it right away. The service has been top notch.

• 

  Awesome Van - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By austincarguy - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Not only is thsi van fun to drive, good looking and powerful - it is one of teh safest minivans made! I am VERY happy having bought this Van, and am having LOTS of fun with it! I iwsh it were a little more fuel efficient, but then I may not be able to tow. LOVE my Kia Sedona!

• 

  Kia Sportage 2011 - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Deep - June 16 - 7:00 pm

  Its only been 4 days since I bought the vehicle, but this review might help anyone who is looking to buy an entry level SUV. When buying, the brands I considered were RAV4, CR-V, Santa Fe. The good thing about getting a Kia is the ability to negotiate a suitable price. Honda and Toyotas are a little too stubborn to do so. But really, the vehicle has an awesome build quality and drivability. I was surprised by the quality of the vehicle, especially comparing it to the previous Sportage. I highly recommend anyone to take an informed decision, if youre buying a Rav4 or C-RV just test drive the new Sportage! Thats exactly what happened to me!

• 

  Would not recomend - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By maddogsmama - June 16 - 2:47 am

  I bought a 2006 Kia Sorento LX in 2010 and since then Ive had nothing but problems! I replaced the crank shaft sensor, cam shaft sensor and the AC. With labor and parts that cost me about 1,600. I have only put 20,000mi on it since I bought it! Therefore, I would NOT recommend a Kia to anyone!! My first experience as a Kia owner was nothing but a headache!

• 

  So far so good - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By tol - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Had the Sorento for almost 4 months. Everything has been great so far. It drives very well, handles well and the interior is very well designed. No complaints or problems.

• 

  Surprising and great - 2016 Kia Optima
  By NapaOpti - June 15 - 8:28 pm

  Like many people I doubted the Kia brand of vehicles just from historical knowledge. However after doing several weeks of research into mid size sedans the Optima kept near the top. I went and test drove Accords, Mazda 6, Audi A4, Fusion, Sonata, and Acura TLX. I own a 2010 Acura TSX commuter car that I like but is getting old. I found that each of these brands has some comfort or convenience issue I couldnt live with. The Kia Optima had the best balance of price, performance, convenience and great technology. Fit and finish are spot on for this class, no problems at all. Every car I have ever purchased I seem to always have to compromise and just get used to. The Optima is enjoyable right from the start and I always look forward to driving it. Sometimes hate to stop! Very glad I expanded my horizons while shopping.

• 

  GREAT CAR - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By selbone1 - June 15 - 3:16 pm

  97000 and still going i am the only owner and i have put full synthetic everything since new i plan on getting 300000 or more out of this car.

• 

  Wish I had waited - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By rmhpmi - June 15 - 12:30 pm

  I have owned my 2011 Sportage SX 2WD for just about two years now. While my wife uses the vehicle as her daily driver, I have had enough seat time to offer my opinions about this great looking but not-so-reliable little SUV. Sadly, the 2.0 liter turbocharged engine failed at about 9,000 miles and basically had to be replaced. We have had ongoing issues ever since, but nothing bad enough to be considered a "lemon" under NC law. I feel certain we will be trading the vehicle next year despite getting killed on depreciation. My KIA/Hyundai experiment is over. Japanese for me from now on.

• 

  Glad I bought this car - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By Makeda - June 15 - 5:23 am

  This is my very first car and I know I made a great choice. It takes less than $25 to fill up my tank and I am good for the rest of the week. The interior is comfortable and I get compliments on the exterior. For a first car or something that in inexpensive and good to drive get this car. It is also roomy for my family of four.

• 

  Build quality - 2003 Kia Rio
  By kramer - June 15 - 2:16 am

  Overall the car has been reliable, requiring little maintenance. However many smaller items such as door handles, rear hatch handle, wiper arms, and headlight bulbs fail. Also horn no longer works, keyless entry no longer works, and power locks malfunction, indicating poor electrical system.