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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  My New Favorite Vehicle - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By David Ventura - September 16 - 2:20 am

  I have owned many cars with many great features but none of them compare to the features the Kia has. The luxury package is worth the extra with the heated seats for the cold winter days and the all wheel drive traction. What I originally liked most was the classy style that looked just like a Lexus only better. I plan on keeping this car for a very long time.

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  Great work horse - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Chris Biser - September 15 - 5:18 pm

  I have owned this car for 4 years and I am extremely satisfied with it. It is an economical car to drive for everyday, plus road trips for 2 or 3 passengers. I am getting about 28 mpg on it on the highway. The sound system is good, the controls are easy to reach, and its a nice, uncomplicated car to drive. Some downsides: moving from a Honda Civic DX, the blind spots on this Sportage were something to get used to. Its easy to miss cars right next to you. Ive learned to REALLY look before shifting lanes. Also, I am 56" and the door frame is sometimes a bit closer to my head than Id like. On the other hand, that sturdy frame also protects in a crash, so it is an easy trade off for me. My BF who is 61" drives it and doesnt seem to mind that door frame either, but maybe for some it is too much. The ride in the back seat going over speed bumps can be a bit stiff. Other than those 2 things, this car is fun to drive and has great safety ratings. I am extremely satisfied driving it. Have 100,000K on it now and plan to keep it to at least 300,000.

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  Great work horse - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Chris Biser - September 15 - 5:00 pm

  I have owned this car for 4 years and I am extremely satisfied with it. It is an economical car to drive for everyday, plus road trips for 2 or 3 passengers. I am getting about 28 mpg on it on the highway. The sound system is good, the controls are easy to reach, and its a nice, uncomplicated car to drive. Some downsides: moving from a Honda Civic DX, the blind spots on this Sportage were something to get used to. Its easy to miss cars right next to you. Ive learned to REALLY look before shifting lanes. Also, I am 56" and the door frame is sometimes a bit closer to my head than Id like. On the other hand, that sturdy frame also protects in a crash, so it is an easy trade off for me. My BF who is 61" drives it and doesnt seem to mind that door frame either, but maybe for some it is too much. The ride in the back seat going over speed bumps can be a bit stiff. Other than those 2 things, this car is fun to drive and has great safety ratings. I am extremely satisfied driving it. Have 100,000K on it now and plan to keep it to at least 300,000.

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  SX.. you wont regret it. - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By chazweez - September 13 - 7:30 pm

  I waited months for the 2012 model to come out because I didnt qualify for any of the rebates that the 2011 model was offering. Ended up buying a 2012 mineral gray AWD SX for $29,900 (not including taxes). The MSRP was 31,800. So they came down about $2000 off the MSRP. The oddest part of the day was when the east coast earthquake struck while I was signing for the car. I looked up to the sales guy and said "thats probably not a good sign". LOL. The cars been great so far... my only gripe is the reflection off the window. The front window is at such an angle that you always see the reflection of the dash on sunny days. Super annoying. Other than that, its an awesome car.

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  My Kia review - 2004 Kia Optima
  By JaimeC - September 13 - 10:00 am

  Love this car! Fun to drive, has a very big 4 cylinder. Is very responsive, and drives incrediblly smooth. Very comfortable to drive and ride, and just the right amount of interior room. Very fuel effecient, and sporty. Nice size car that will help you to zip around town with the feeling of a small car, with big room, and looks!

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  Awesome! - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By John - September 12 - 4:50 am

  We wnet from an entry level SUV to the Sedona. NO COMPARISON! The Sedona was less to purchase and MUCH more in comfort. It is roomy with a number of great features. Such as the power seats, ability to remove seats and haul "stuff", leg room, captains seats in second row and a very quiet ride!

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  2012 Sportage EX (4,500 miles) - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By carguy34945 - September 12 - 12:02 am

  I like most all aspects of the Sportage except the steering. I have to constantly fight the steering because it is too sensitive. A little correction results in a correction back and so on. This makes driving very tiresome! It is especially bad in any cross wind. My highway MPG is 28-30.

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  Unbeatable Value! - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By NJ Pete - September 10 - 5:56 am

  I walked into a Kia dealer w/o high expectations & was quite surprised at the line-up of new vehicles. I was looking for a new car w/ good fuel economy but have always liked the convenience of an SUV. A red 2011 Sportage was front & center in the entrance to the showroom. I looked at the price & mileage rating. Drove one of the test vehicles & bought it on the spot. I have only owned it for a few days, but my fondness of the Sportage grows every day.

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  Would buy again - 2001 Kia Spectra
  By jillswill - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Its not a quite ride. Drags up hills, helps to shut off the air condition system. We bought it for the hatch-back and would to run to college. I would buy another one. Its a great buy for the price.

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  Sorento Squeaks! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By James Bender - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Our sorento has started squeaking now with the cold weather. It appears to be the belts. We took it into the dealer 3 times thus far, the last time we took it in they replaced all the belts and made the comment, "Some cars do it and some cars dont, and if it keeps doing it well just have to live with it". Sorry, but KIAs customer SATISFACTION is way under par. -JB