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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  Excellent Car - 2012 Kia Optima
  By jsap123 - November 21 - 12:25 am

  Bought a 2012 EX in October 2011; 10,500 miles on it now. I was looking for a car that had good visual design inside and out, better gas mileage and more power than my previous car [2006 Mazda 3S 2.3L]. Fell in love with the interior and exterior styling, love the driver-centric interior, I like how everything is angled towards me. Was very impressed with the quiet cabin, smooth ride, and nice seats. The Optima, however, doesnt handle like my Mazda did, but I would say thats the only thing the Mazda comes out on top in. The car feels very refined, engine is plenty fast and Ive been enjoying 28-34mpg on mixed driving [Im not a lead foot and its flat in FL]. I also like the ECO button.

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  Wonderful Car - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Bill - November 20 - 2:20 pm

  I traded a 1996 Accord for this car. It rides great, has plenty of pep and the warranty is the best.

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  total enjoyment - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By bobby - November 20 - 1:23 am

  My wife and i thoroughly enjoy driving the Sorento. We havent found a situation yet that the vehicle cant handle...kids, terrain, weather, traffic, etc. I would definitely encourage anyone in the market for an SUV to consider the Sorento.

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  Just What I Wanted - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By sakenstein - November 19 - 9:20 am

  I traded my Infiniti G37x (which I loved) for the Sportage primarily because the Infiniti was too fast for my soon-to-be-driving son. The gas mileage is not as good as I expected. In the first few hundred miles (I have 2500 now), I was getting about 25 mpg combined. That has since been averaging about 20-21 which is still better than the G37x. As for the price, I dont think theres a better value for what you get: AWD, Uvo system, nice cloth seats, backup camera. Drove the Mitsu Outlander Sport and Tucson, but the Mitsu 140hp was anemic and like the looks of Sportage better than Tuscon. Also, the Sportages ride is not stiff, its downright harsh, but I knew that going in. Great value.

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  Worst car Ive owned - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By A. May - November 18 - 9:43 pm

  We have had nothing but problems with this car. We seem to be constantly going in for repairs and most recently have been told we need a new compressor for $1200. This car is only two years old and should not be having so many problems. The dealer will not cover this problem. I will never buy a Kia again. Our other car is a 99 Hyundai and while it needs some repairs we are spending more on repairs on this new Kia.

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  Great First Car - 2009 Kia Rio
  By Shmork - November 18 - 3:46 pm

  Many reviewers complain this car isnt powerful enough, or sporty enough and the tires are too small-the list goes on; I disagree. I have never had a problem accelerating into interstate traffic or maneuvering. The interior is surprisingly spacious (huge trunk) and quite attractive with the SX enhancements. The mileage is excellent. Yes, this is no luxury vehicle and it doesnt have impressive horsepower, but if youre shopping in the subcompact market youre not likely concerned with these factors. The drive is almost sporty and the tire size hasnt been an issue. Youre not dishing out extra $ for bells and whistles and you really wont miss them. I love my new KIA for drives great and small!

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  Dont Buy any Kia - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By tattoohank - November 18 - 10:00 am

  As soon as I drove it off the lot, my troubles began. I have returned this car 8 times for repair. Mainly because of cheap materials. I still have to take it back for 3 more repairs. Most recently the dashboard came unglued, sounds like there is a screw rattling around in the steering wheel, and the paint is peeling. My nightmare continues. I only get 22 MPG. Do yourself a favor and dont buy one.

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  Wish I didnt - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By WoodyBD - November 18 - 10:00 am

  I wish I didnt buy this 2003 Kia Spectra. This car doesnt have much pep, especially going up hills. Warm air sometimes can be felt coming out of the vents with controls in cool and off positions. My ac didnt work after haveing it for 2 hrs after purchase. Cd player broke after a week(only used it 3 times, a small reset button needed to be pushed). Doesnt seem to have the good fuel economy they claim. Sorry Kia!

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  Try it you will fall in love with it too - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Robert E Peterson - November 18 - 10:00 am

  I did shop around before purchasing the Sorento; it was not a hard decision once I drove this SUV. My last vehicle was a Toyota 4Runner and I never thought I would by anything but a Toyota, it was a great vehicle. Once I took the KIA Sorento on the road it quickly changed my mind. With all the options that are offered with the Sorento, the 4Runner price did not even come close to my fully loaded Sorento. This is the best purchase ever, by far. I’m so glad KIA has finally made it to Des Moines Iowa.

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  Nothing but problems - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Kris - November 17 - 1:06 am

  I bought this car in october of 09. Loved it for the first 1000 miles then the driver side window had adjustment problems and was hitting the molding sounding like the window was gonna break. Now when i shitf gears i get a back fire threw the intake and no one can figure out what it is and now since 4200 miles its have a clunk and the front end and they say they cant fix it cuz they cant pin point the noise. WTF?? ive owned 14 cars before this and this is my first new car and id rather drive my 1990 vw jetta with 200,000 miles than this car!!!