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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  Old Codgers Comfort Zone - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Marion - March 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2002 Sedona In 2004.It had 22K miles on it, Now has 106K miles. the only thing I have replaced are tires, brake pads, battery, and recently the alternator, which are normal replacement items. The van is dependable,and performs very well.

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  LOVE IT - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By C Hyde - February 26 - 4:56 pm

  I absolutely love this van. Funny thing is, I never looked at a Kia van before I walked in and bought this one. I have the EX model. Nicely well equipped. This has so many options, I guarantee I still havent found some. One of the options that blew me away was the "heated windshield wipers"! I was told that these are an awesome feature for winter (which is horrible in Ohio) because they keep your wipers from sticking to the window! Awesome. I love my Sedona and will definitely be buying the new and updated version that was just displayed at the 2005 auto show. (LOVE the middle windows that roll down!) In summation: BUY ONE! (you wont regret it!).

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  A very nice driving experience! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By garlin1 - February 25 - 4:32 am

  I would like to reply to all those customers who are complaining about the Fuel economy of the Optima. I just bought a new 2013 Optima LX and after reading your peeves about MPG I am flummoxed as to whether or not we are driving the same model. First off, I am approaching 7000 miles and I have averaged 30 MPG. No, I do not only drive on a traffic free highway, for I happen to live in California. Also, if you have the LX or EX model in a 2.4 Litre and you complain about getting under 20 MPG there is something specifically wrong with your driving style and habits. Fuel economy relies where and how you drive. What matters is how smoothly and how often you depress the accelerator.

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  Best decision in a long time... - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By AF_Dad - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Extensively researched minis for a WHILE, and simply could not find a better value. Got an EX loaded to the gills with every option and paid less than a stripped Odyssey. With a much better warranty to boot. Build quality similar to my old Cherokee, which is saying something. Totally satisfied so far, but of course time will tell the rest.

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  Lexus Wannabe - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By nutin2it - February 25 - 2:00 am

  We just purchased our 2004 Kia EX and love it so far. The fit and finish inside and out are on par with other more costly SUVs - and even better in some cases. The fat Michelin tires are a plus. The styling is right on. Kudos to Kia on their first attempt at directly competing with other SUVs in this ever changing market. Unfortunately, the less than great gas mileage (although on par with the Ford Explorer) and louder than expected engine noise are its only drawbacks thus far. Excellent service department at the dealership.

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  Former Kia Salesman gives rating - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Whatever - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I happened to own one while selling them to make a living. Periodically the CD/Cassette player gives an error indicating unable to locate last track played on the CD. We are going to have paint problems. Have you noticed the trunk, door, hood, door handle wells need another coat of the same metalic exterior pant? I dislike the wasted jet beams that spike straight up at about a 75-degree angle from horizontal. Look up at tall evergreens after dark while driving some night especially in the fog! "NO REAR CABIN LIGHTES"? Why should I have to feeeellll my way around the rear seats and rear floors in a 21st century automobile? This is Un-American.

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  So Far So Good - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By johnnykia - February 22 - 3:46 am

  We traded a Honda CRV (excellent car) in for a new Kia Sorento SX AWD V6, largely because we needed more power to pull a small trailer. So far, we are pleased with the Sorento, which seems luxurious compared to the Honda. It is much quieter (less road noise) and the V6 engine has great acceleration. Still getting used to all the bells and whistles. Some of the controls are not inuitive. Many adjustments, like the mirrors, cannot be made unless the car is in Park. We do not need 3rd row seating, and would have rather had a bit more storage back there, but it was not an option on our model. Have not pulled the trailer yet. So far we get about 20 MPG for city/commuting and about 25 highway.

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  Good car but not best in class - 2010 Kia Forte
  By gonavy1072 - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought a KIA Forte as a replacement for my Ford Focus. If I had it to do over, Id get another Focus with SYNC. Automatic transmission shifts VERY early to the point that at times you think it is going to stall. This is by design for fuel efficiency. Good exterior look and good fuel economy; about 30 MPG highway. The bluetooth interface is strange; you cant turn it on and off only using the radio controls. You have to use radio control AND voice command. Inconvenient when more than one person is in the car. iPod interface also drains the iPod battery if left plugged in. This is a known issue. Not a bad car for the money but it could be a GREAT car!

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  Needs Retro-Fit Shocks - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By yeohumpf - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Great car in all respects except that when driven on choppy Northern roads, it rides much too hard and choppy. Kia knows this and is putting Dual flow damper shocks on all newly built 2011 Sorentos to cure the problem. They need to provide access to those or other shocks/dampers that can be installed on 2011s already on the road that have the original inadequate shocks.

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  Pretty good bang for your buck - 2016 Kia Forte
  By Katie - February 20 - 1:10 pm

  I was in the market for a used car but ended up purchasing the Kia Forte new because of the rebates. I have never liked hatchbacks but this body type fits my current needs and looks better than most in my opinion. This car is comfortable to drive and even the base model is a great upgrade from what I was in. I was really impressed with the warranty offered with this vehicle.