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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  Stay Away from Kia Optima unless you like noise - 2012 Kia Optima
  By 2012kia - December 10 - 4:05 pm

  Purchased this car May 9, 2012. After a few days, I noticed a creaking noise every time I turn left or right. Took the car into the dealership and was told the clock spring needed to be replaced. Ive only had this car 7 days, and something already has to be replaced. Also, the engine or transmission is really loud when accelerating from 0-40. After I reach 40mph or higher, this noise goes away (not sure if thats a normal noise or not, my 2005 Honda Accord was never this loud!). Engine makes a pinging noise when engine is turned off. Looking to trade this car in really soon. This dealership, Crain Kia in Sherwood, Arkansas is not very customer friendly after the sell.

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  Absolutely excellent vehicle! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Bob Peck - December 9 - 8:40 pm

  I really like my Sportage. Drove it to the Grand Canyon recently where it delivered good power, quiet and pleasant ride and decent fuel economy (27 MPG). Mine is the luxury edition with leather, great radio with 6 deck CD and excellent dash set up. Interior is very flexible and accommodating -- all for $20,000 with the 10 year warranty.

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  harsh ride, otherwise ok - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Steven - December 9 - 6:20 am

  Just purchased this car two weeks ago, mostly based on ratings at this site coupled with the cheap price and good gas mileage. I did not notice on the test drive how noisy the ride is. Every pebble feels like a pothole and need to have radio on to drown out the engine noise. Am told by mechanics that this is how they sound and you get what you pay for. Would rather have an older Corolla.

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  POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP - 2001 Kia Rio
  By milesofprojects - December 9 - 2:00 am

  i BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 1/2001. i HATE IT. IT WAS CHEAP SO i BOUGHT IT. ITS TOO LIGHT, WAVERS IN WIND, RAIN, SNOW ANYTHING AND GETS ABOUT 15 CITY MILES PER GALLON. I SPEND MORE MONEY ON GAS THAN i DO OIL CHANGES AND REPAIRS. IS THIS NORMAL. A LOT OF THE REVIEWS SAY 30-38 MPG BUT THAT IS BS. mAYBE MINE IS DEFECTIVE.

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  Sorento Rocks!!!!!! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Galadriel - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I just picked up my Sorento last night and Im sooo happy I ditched my minivan for a Sorento! I went grocery shopping right after picking up my Kia, parked right next to a Lexus SUV; I think my car looks just as nice! I looked long and hard at Jeep, Toyota, and Mazda before getting a Kia. I challenge anyone to try get as much from those guys (Jeep, Toyota, or Mazda) for $25,000 as you get in a Sorento EX.

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  Love my Sorento SX AWD - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Micki Brake - December 7 - 4:02 pm

  This Kia is everything you could ask for. It is comfortable. Quite. Classy looking. And most of all I feel safe in it. They have done a great job with all the safety features. It has excellent power and all the controls are easy to see and get to. You wont be disappointed with this Kia !

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  best pre-vehicle i excellent relIve had - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By paul - December 7 - 9:43 am

  excellent relieability and comfort, right size for my family now that my 2 childred and grown. good looks. nice 4 wh drive. car is responsive, has allthe whistles except cd changer

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  very nice so far, but... - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By jlg1875 - December 7 - 6:49 am

  Bought the LX 2WD on Saturday and though so far I like it, I have a few gripes. I traded in a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe SE after only 9400 miles. It was a decent vehicle, but living in NJ just outside NYC with constant stop and go traffic, my MPGs were averaging around 20. I agree so far with other reviews, the Sportages ride is very firm, and with a lot of local streets looking like the moons surface, I found that out quickly. However, Im used to it already as the Santa Fe was not the smoothest ride on its 18 inch rims (Sportage has 17 inch). Steering is also very light and will take some getting used to. Interior a little too plasticy, but I dont agree that rear visibility is all that bad.

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  better than I thought - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By pappitto - December 7 - 6:23 am

  A very nice vehicle to drive, it loves to speed to an easy 70 mph. Youll need to keep an eye for the gas pedal; very soft.

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  Love my Forte! - 2012 Kia Forte
  By double77s - December 6 - 5:04 am

  I decided to purchase the Forte Sedan because of all the features I got for the best price. Kia also has the best warranty in the business and that is what truly sealed the deal for me. I do not have a great history with cars and was reluctant to have a car payment again. I chose Kia because if something goes wrong...its covered by warranty. Also, I am driving the most fun car I have ever owned. Sunroof, satellite radio, and very comfortable seats sold me when I took the test drive. This is the smallest car Ive owned but it drives like a bigger car and is great on gas. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a great car with great features and warranty at a great price.