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:

• 

  Most Car For The Buck - 2004 Kia Optima
  By tigerokie - April 20 - 10:00 am

  After driving Nissans for 20 years I decided to test drive many different models. I enned up buying the Kia for several reasons. It was great looking, different and rode as good as my Fathers 2004 Mercury. But even with leather and every thing I could get it was only $19000. It has the best warranty, just hope it is like my past Nissans, never have to see the dealer again. The gas milage started off at 24mpg but has been getting better with miles. I bought a K&N filter and no it has jumped to 30 mpg. It is nice to be able to buy a nice car for under $20000. My Dad wished he had bought one and not the big Mercury.

• 

  My Car - 2004 Kia Optima
  By HuntinChic79 - April 20 - 10:00 am

  I have only owned my Kia for about 6 months, but I love it. I have never had so much fun with a car. Im usually a truck person, so for me to like a car is a huge compliment.

• 

  my review - 2004 Kia Optima
  By grannyRae - April 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had this car 2 weeks, but it has been most pleasurable to drive. it has all the cajones and good looks to go with it. it feels very solid to drive. comparable to my ford, which i truly loved. With this car i dont miss her as much as i thought i would.

• 

  Great so far! - 2010 Kia Optima
  By char3lee - April 19 - 2:25 am

  I love this car so far. I have put about 1000 miles on it and am really enjoying it. I bought it barely used, and feel I got a great deal. The back is very roomy for two people and a third would be pretty comfy if they were not too big or if it wasnt a long trip. It has all of the things that are important to me and more. I did get the higher end wheels and automatic drivers seat, which are nice. It has lots of pep and I get 33 mpg on the highway. I think thats great for a non-hybrid. Everything is just laid out great! Get one now, because I think the price will go up on these. The 2011 looks even nicer.

• 

  Im A Soul Man! - 2012 Kia Soul
  By black_soul_man - April 18 - 9:26 pm

  Its a great car for the money.. I purchased a base soul with the 1.6 automatic 6 speed ac power windows Cruz and a very nice stereo system. I still cant believe that you would get so many accessories with only buying a base model car. Back in the old days you where lucky enough to get a cigarette lighter. they claim to get 26/35 mpgs so far I have been getting 38 with mixed driving city/ hwy. Again Im Not a lead footed driver. all I can say is Wow I fell in love with this car.. it handles like a dream This had been my fifth new car purchased in the last 30 years and after buying those American made cars fords & chevys I always had regrets afterwords. but not with this car.....

• 

  Best of SUVs - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By mtyszka1 - April 18 - 3:53 pm

  Great on gas, better than expected handling, and no defects as delivered, a first for me as a buyer.

• 

  2006 KIA Sorento EX Sport - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Robert McCoin - April 18 - 3:43 pm

  Excellent vehicle for the money. Fun to drive.

• 

  Love My Sportage - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Gail Merritt - April 18 - 7:13 am

  I have owned a Sportage since 1998. I loved my first one but my new Sportage is way beyond comparison. The ride is smooth, the exterior is beautiful. I wanted something that didnt look like you were driving a box around and I found it in the new Sportage; its classy looking yet sporty. This car is even approved by my teenage grandson. The performance of the car is more that I expected and so far I havent found anything that I dislike about it. Youve got a hit in this one!

• 

  Explorer - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By Gordacat - April 17 - 9:10 pm

  Purchased short wheel based version. Noticed that it suffers for fuel mileage, but makes up for it in cargo, and convenience. I travel, and got rid of a 2003 Ford Taurus, which got excellent mileage, and had 140,000 miles. But I am retired and needed the cargo capacity and leg room.

• 

  Great safety rating - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By brandon schauske - April 17 - 4:06 pm

  I bought a Sorento recently because of the warranty and safety rating. Two months later I was involved in a head on collision with a GMC Suburban. My Sorento was left with minimal damage while the Suburban was demolished. Thanks Kia!