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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  So far so good... - 2012 Kia Optima
  By bykdude - March 17 - 9:07 am

  Great car and great value. First 1000 miles ok. Only complaint would be the seats. Dude...you might as well be seating on a park bench. Other than that, this vehicle has all the features of any other luxury car. Well just have to see how it stands up over time.

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  My charcoal love - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By silkyt673 - March 14 - 6:06 pm

  I love this car. I have had it for two years and have not had one problem with it. Its versatile. I take it camping and sleep in the back. My father whos 62" and 340 fits comfortably in the back seat. There is nothing bad about this vehicle. I had a Toyota for 10 years prior to this vehicle and so far this one is just as reliable and comfortable.

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  Johns Review - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By John Stiene - March 14 - 3:13 pm

  What amazes me most is how quiet the interior is and how well the Sportage rides on rough roads. I am 6 ft tall and have ample legroom. When you slam the doors they sound solid. There is definitely quality put into this low cost vehicle not to mention the security or the great warranty.

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  Fun to drive, very economical - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By matchick - March 12 - 10:33 pm

  After 2 years and 52,000 miles, I still love this car. The seats could be more comfortable, but it is cute, runs great and is super fun to drive. I get about 32 miles to the gallon highway, so very easy on the pump. Non standard tires make replacements a bit pricey at about $125 per tire.

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  In defense of the Optima - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Leo Miller - March 12 - 4:40 pm

  I recently rented an Optima for a week trip. It was by far the most enjoyable car I have ever driven..I recently dumped my Mercedes AMG last month for numerous ongoing problems. The Optima was responsive, comfortable, quick acceleration and the gas mileage exceeded 30 mpg on the highway. I am planning to buy one in the next 30 days. I understand that one week is not the same as owning, but I was that impressed with the car.

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  Great Value - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Bill B - March 11 - 9:13 pm

  Steering Wheel buttons rubbing off. Bumpers withstand very little without paint chip. Typical lack of room in regular sized minivan and/or SUV

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  What can I say - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By ma - March 11 - 2:16 pm

  Purchased our 2002 Kia Sedona new from show room floor. Ran well for first year and then the problems started. Loud humming from front end. Dealer said tires, turned out to bad defective boots. Alternator died at 62,000 during a highway drive at 65 mph. 80,000 miles, car begins to surge forward and loose power. Check engine light came on - dealer has no idea on problem. Been in shop a number of times to diagnose issue. Unsafe vehicle at this time which I would not have my family in anymore. Went out and purchased a Toyota Sienna Limited after owning a Tundra as well. What a world of difference. My 98 Pontiac Montana w/replace transmission was more reliable then this KIA piece of junk!!

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  well liked - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By cdimmitt - March 11 - 7:46 am

  This is the third Kia I have owned, and feel they have come along way since the old style of Sportage. Ive had both. This one is by far better than the old style. My boyfriend owns the Sorento and a friend bought a Sportage because she liked our cars so much.

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  My First Kia - 2014 Kia Soul
  By bikeropa - March 11 - 12:03 am

  My first Kia, although Ive driven my brothers Soul (a 2011, I believe) a few hundred miles. This one is a big improvement in ride quality and noise! Its peppy enough for normal driving and my first tank returned 26 mpg in city driving. Im impressed with the number of features for the price (power locks, cruise, power windows, selectable steering control, Sirius, Bluetooth, etc.) on a base model. The one thing that I havent figured out yet is how to get the headrest further back (I usually wear a brimmed hat), as the adjustment shown in the manual gives very limited movement. Overall, though, Im very impressed!

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  Garbage - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Joe - March 10 - 8:53 pm

  I own a 2003 Kia sorento and it is garbage. I cant count how many times I have had to replace a headlamp. The clock resets constantly on its own. I have blown fuses galore. Changing the rotors is impossible unless you own or can get your hands on a impact wrench. And most of all, their Service dept. has been horrible, rude and deceiving. Dont waste you money. I get 17mpg gallon highway at 65mph if I am lucky. And yes, I have completed all their recommended, bogus service schedules. I hate it. Hope I save somebody the headache of owning a pile of junk like this. 100,000 mile warranty is a joke. Be careful