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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  MAMA MIA, A GREAT LITTLE KIA - 2016 Kia Sportage
  By NaNu, NaNu - June 2 - 2:28 pm

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  800 miles and a cross-Florida trip in, great car - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By mattitude - June 1 - 12:21 pm

  Picked up a Signal Red Sportage SX w/ premium package 5 days ago, and the next day took it on a 450 mile trip for the holidays. Vehicle is great overall. We cross-shopped the SX with every single competitor, and found this to be the best value and most exciting vehicle. The second choice would have been a RAv4 but it was exceedingly boring. Were big fans of the UVO system. I had read complaints about system speed on 2011 models - Im not sure if they updated the hardware, software, or both, but in our experience so far its been very speedy. Bluetooth works wonderfully and the radio does everything we want it to. Out of space but word of advice - dont get the NAV, stick with the UVO base.

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  2017 sorento - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By brad dun - May 30 - 3:46 pm

  its a comfortable car,its weakness,is gear shifting,the engine races and is slow to change when moving off at traffic lights,its city gas milage is bad,11-13 mpg in the city,it gets good on freeway when going over 50 mph,seats are too low so its hard to see,the front and back when parking or overtaking,lucky it has a reverse camera,it was good value in thanksgiving sales,it looks pretty good and is comfortable,if the transmission shifting and seats were higher it would be a great car,after driving many mountins,it cut out once in the middle of the road,another time it would not reverse,but I have not seen that problem appear,the v6 engine might be better,but it would have cost me $5000 extra,the 4 cylander is probably underpowered for the car,they should include a cover for the trunk,and remove the roof rails,they look ugly,road holding is good,i could not get cruise to work,for some reason,its a very good looking car and comfortable to drive,

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  Not bad but ages prematurely - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By soccerdad - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Bought new from dealer end of 03. This minivan has plenty of power and ample passenger room. However, cargo space is very limited. Ran flawlessly the first 1.5 years, then brakes began to squeal. We replaced the brakes on warranty twice in the first 50K miles, a bit undersized for weight of the vehicle, maybe? Also replaced wheel bearings, again on warranty. The Kia dealership where we bought and service the car is tops, but I wish we didnt have to spend so much time visiting with them on warranty issues. Now the engine sounds like its getting tired. Were Trading it in this weekend (probably not another Kia) before it gives up the ghost for good.

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  I love my Kia - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By Lea Ann - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I read so many reviews on here before I bought my Kia, so I wanted to return the favor. After much research and prayer, I bought my 08 Sorento with 7000 miles on it. Got a great price, but was apprehensive about the name. I have driven it daily for over a year and have had NO problems of any kind. I spoke at length with a Kia mechanic and he told me the 08s and later were much better designed and were on par with Toyota quality--without the price tag. I have found that to be true. Love the powerful V6 engine, sporty body style, and handling. I does ride a bit rough, as it is on an SUV frame, but I already knew it would so it doesnt bother me. Dont be afraid of the Kia name!

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  My First Car - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Daryl Joy - May 26 - 12:46 am

  Very nice exterior look, roomy interior, excellent warranty (10 years/100,000 miles). My husband loves the headroom, legroom, interior space (passenger and rear seat folds flat). Has an option for auto or manual driving. At a rear glance, people thinks its a Range Rover...front glance looks like a CRV. CONS: we only get 19 mpg highway (87 octane)

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  Love our little gas sipper - 2011 Kia Soul
  By tysmeme - May 23 - 7:53 pm

  We have had our Kia Soul since Jan 12 and it is a 2012 model. So far we are more than pleased with this car. The fuel economy is good , there is ample leg room, the ride is not bad. Do wish it had an arm rest but this is a small thing. I love the idea of all the air bags it has. It gets lots of attention !

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  Falling Out Of Love - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By jclaeys - May 22 - 7:42 pm

  Purchased 2012 used in Dec. with less than 5K on odo. Was impressed then with the value. Now at just 8K beginning to realize that this is a good vehicle, not a great one by any means. Probably first and foremost is service, its just completely lacking, and until KIA becomes a household name it will probably remain so. I am disappointed with the gas mileage, as I am easy on the pedal and am only able to avg. 20MPG combined 50/50. I have made countless calls and visits to the dealer for an engine that "shakes" at idle with the brakes apllied. I have to place car in neutral at every stop light. Problem is, as long as there is no engine light on, no one knows what to do. Stay clear of "4"

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  Retro Euro-Styling meets American Ride - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By MENTOR - May 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a cool looking car -- kindo f reminding me of a mongrel mix between a Mercedees a Bently and something coming out of (former) Communist East Germany. Sitting in the interior is like time travel to 1961 (at least as far as the dash is concerned). The drive is soft, like a mushy American ca. Trunk space and roomy interior make this a comfortable ride for passengers. Performance is what youd expect for a GM-type of mid-range car from the early 1980s -- you dont want to do any extreme maneuvers.

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  Kia Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Ariell77 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  The Sorento has a roomy interior and is easy to convert for more cargo space. The ride is good for a four wheel drive vehicle and the handling is good