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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  Love my Kia - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Nicole - March 6 - 12:50 am

  I purchased my Kia in 02/09. I was 9 months pregnant and was having a VERY hard time getting the infant car seat in and out of the back seat of my 04 honda ex coupe, so I was just looking around for a 4door vehicle at least. Well, there was an ad for brand new kias for 12,900. I had looked at the crvs but even used were way out of my budget. I test drove the KIA and told them what I could afford. I love my Kia. It is SO roomy. With having a new baby I have lots of stuff. My only complaints were not having a keyless entry being standard and sometimes large hills give my 4cyl a run for its money. LOL. I really love it, its a alot of car for a low price and an awesome warranty!

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  Love my Sportage! - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By kcarson - March 5 - 5:50 am

  I have always been a Toyota guy but when looking to trade out of my aging Toyota 4Runner I thought I owed it to myself to do a little research. At every turn I ended up right back on Kia’s door step. With a lot of reluctance I decided to give the Sportage a test drive. That’s all it took. The ride and handling of this vehicle coupled with the overall price and warranty (standard mind you) and a resale value that now stood up to the big dogs it was a no brainer. I would have to say to Kia , keep up the great work! Your hard work and attention to quality and detail is now starting to get the recognition it deserves

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  Like a rock! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By drblptq - March 5 - 2:33 am

  I owned this for three years, bought new, as a work vehicle. This has to be the the heaviest build small suv I have ever driven. Although there were numerous trips to the shop under warranty all was taken care of efficiently with little fuss. The gas mileage is abysmal, at 15 city and 20 highway, but built like a tank. I was rear ended at 50,000 miles and all I had was a cracked bumper cover! The honda that hit me was totalled. The car never let me down, and honestly I have been considering buying a used one as a second vehicle for my wife.

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  Great Value - 2018 Kia Optima
  By Happy Driver - March 4 - 2:47 am

  Traded in my 2012 Mercedes C-Class for the 2018 Optima SXL. We purchased the 2017 Sorento SXL last spring after considering many other luxury brand SUVs and have been truly impressed. Decided it was a safe bet to trade the C-Class for the Optima. Weve been very happy with the Optima thus far. Its a very quiet, comfortable vehicle with more than enough space for a family of 4. (Its not as quiet on the freeway as my Mercedes, but I dont expect that at $20K less than the 2018 C-Class comparably equipped.) You get a lot for the money, especially the SXL trim package, made better by the great deal we got on the purchase price... $4000 below MSRP. Kias brand reliability (see Consumers Reports) combined with the value for the money should make other car brands like Honda and Toyota take notice.

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  Used Lease Kia - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Paul - March 3 - 8:16 pm

  This is our poor mans Jag. We both like it, only my wife not real crazy about the need to shift to the overdrive.

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  Sweet Soul Sister - 2012 Kia Soul
  By Michelle Pennington - March 1 - 11:49 pm

  Do your homework dont overpay particularly for the base auto model. Excellent car

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  Amazing Little Machine - 2011 Kia Soul
  By happy2pappy - March 1 - 3:37 pm

  One month and a thousand miles now, and I couldnt be more pleased. The Soul has exceed my expectations....a high level of refinement, quiet engine, smooth clutch and shifter, good stereo, and very comfortable seats. Its a delight to drive, the little 1.6 litre mill is quite happy at low RPMs resulting in AMAZING mileage that way exceeds the EPA rating. Ive filled up four times so far, about 80% around town driving, and averaged right at 35 MPG! 31 was the low fillup, 37.1 the best. A really sensible car for tooling around town.

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  4 Month Update - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Kansas - February 28 - 12:33 am

  Our Sorento has performed well these first 4 months. Like some others, it developed a jolt when starting. Our temporary resolution is to not use the parking break and make sure there is pressure on tranny after stop. The dealership has been responsive thus far, but because it only jolts after engine is hot and sat for 1-4 hours, difficult to diagnose. The car is improving on gas mileage (23 hwy). Except for the tran, performs great- there have been no other issues. I would be interested in others posting regarding transmission issue.

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  I Love It - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Tim P - February 27 - 11:13 am

  Wanted a Lincoln LS but after seeing this car (actually my friend T.Y. saw it 1st & pointed it out) and test driving it, I was sold. Bought it used 1-owner who took excellent care of it. I like my 1998 Mercury Sable GS better as far as smooth riding but not complaining about it. I constantly receive compliments on it from young & old.

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  Pay more for what, exactly? - 2011 Kia Sedona
  By Father of four - February 27 - 10:00 am

  Our 2011 Kia Sedona is our second minivan (we have four children aged seven and under). Traded in a VW Passat wagon, and it hurt to say goodbye to our last car with any "coolness" factor. Our other minivan is a Toyota Sienna. The Sedona is an improvement upon the Passat in every way. Far more fun to drive, with great pickup and handling. We added leather, which makes it look sharp. The interior gives the impression of being larger than the Siennas. And other than a higher sticker price, we are not sure what advantages the Sienna offers. The Kias mileage around town is somewhat less than advertised--around 16 mpg--but it is up to the Toyotas quality in every other way. Safe and reliable.