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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  Not a bad pick - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Delk - October 13 - 6:46 pm

  Definitely the nicest vehicle i have ever owned. Very comfortable, attractive design, and smooth ride. Only problem ive had was 3 days after i purchased it i was on my way to go skiing and just about every light you could think of started to show up on the dash board. Then every time i hit the break pedal the sorrent started to shake violently. When i stoped the vehicle i could not put it into park. I had to have road side assistance towe me back to the dealership. 3 days later the dealership called me and told me that there was a piece of plastic stuck in between the fuse and the connecter that powered the alternator. To me that was a sketchy explanation and a poor experience.

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  Cadenza Premium - 2015 Kia Cadenza
  By swpcadenza - October 11 - 11:43 pm

  I purchased my Cadenza Sept 2014. Overall, Im very happy with my selection. I was certainly torn between choosing the Cadenza over the Chevy Impala. They were identical in terms of what I wanted in a fully loaded full size sedan, however the Cadenza had just more of that "it" factor I was looking for. There is no way possible I could get this much standard luxury at the price I paid in a BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, Audi, etc.

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  Optima - 2004 Kia Optima
  By KIA - October 9 - 3:43 pm

  I bought my Optima with about 52000 miles. Overall, it is pretty reliable and fuel economy is good, however it could be better. So far the only things I had to replace are the power steering hose, batteries and the lightbulb in the headlight. At times when I start my car, the cars stalls and takes a couple of seconds to start going.

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  1 year in - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By daw3 - October 7 - 9:46 am

  Well its been 1 year since taking owenership of the Sportage and I will admit no issues, except fuel ratings, lack of power for passing. Overall Im staisfied with the car, but again I feel somethings are lacking. Ive been reading all the reviews from owners and I must agree with some, but for the money where are you going to get such a fun car to drive. Honda, Toyota, Subrau are all over priced with the standard equipment you get with the Sportage. Im retired now but there was just something about the car, and I wasnt ready for a cookie cutter Nissan or Buick. I purchase a flat black mat for the dashboard since there really is a bad glare from the sun that just hits you right in the eye

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  Try it - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By STEVE - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is a nice compact package the only thing it needs is a we bit more power I would highly recommend they re-engineer this vehicle with a turbo or a 6 cylinder

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  Price and warranty - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Jim - October 4 - 10:46 pm

  Have had it for 3 weeks. Its solidly built, feels planted on the road. Gas mileage just o.k., 34 once and 29 once. Only have 1400 miles on it. I like it. People need to realize its an economy car. If you want all those gadgets so they can cause trouble for you, go pay 3-4 thousand more for a more upscale ride!

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  I love it! - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Vernon and Joan - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Just traded in my 2002 for a 2004 and have not complaints. Handles well in snow and love the updates in the 2004. Very nice reliable van. Hubby and children do not care for the new grill, but they will get over it. It seems as though Kia has worked out many of the complaints with this model. Think the ripped me with the 2800 dollar dvd system though. I still love it though.

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  3 years and 100,000 - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By scdad - October 1 - 10:13 pm

  I brought my Kia brand new in 06. It was the only 05 left and it only had 7 test miles on it. This van has taken me back and forth to Vax4, MDx3, Gax4 and Flx2 with no problems what so ever. I wouldnt trade it for the world. I dont know what everyone else is talking about but my Kia it awesome. It is all about how you take care of your vehicle.

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  ITS A KIA - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Jadkisson - September 30 - 10:00 am

  A lot of people come up to me and ask me questions about this vehicle and I tell them that its a KIA and they look at it and are very surprised of what it has to offer. I have 5000 miles and have had problems already with the truck. It has turned off on me while driving, the ABS brake lights have come on 4 times and the engine light has come on. I know people that have the same car as me and they have had no problems. I really like this car but I think there are Lemons everywhere. When my friends drive it they are surprised at how well it drives and how smooth that it operates. It also looks very stylish on the outside as well as the inside.

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  Kia Magentis 2004 Model - 2004 Kia Optima
  By alfybio - September 29 - 9:17 am

  I have found this car great value for my almost meagre spend on it. The car starts effortlessly, almost before the ignition is turned, its silent, and just purrs when running. In motion it is very stable, and appears to bounce when it hits a bump.