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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  Decent Cheap Car - 2004 Kia Optima
  By 2004 Kia Optima LX - October 15 - 1:26 am

  I bought this car with 40k miles on it. It now has almost 105k and I havent had any major problems with it. I have kept up on my maintenance so that probably helps. I just had to have my alignment fixed because my tires kept popping, but that was only $50. If you keep up with the maintenance this car should last you!

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  Soul Man - 2010 Kia Soul
  By MSCLCAR - October 14 - 11:13 am

  Ill just say this. We have a 1969 Mustang that we take to car shows around Phoenix. This car is no slouch (high 10s in the quarter mile). We also have a Denim Soul. It just happened that both cars wound up at the same show. Parked next to each other. We received more comments and questions about the Soul then we ever received on the Mustang! We also own an Optima and Spectra 5. Kia,Thats it!

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  Good product for the money. - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Not what I expected - October 13 - 3:00 am

  I am an automotive officer for a credit company. Ill tell you, I dont believe I could have purchased a better SUV for the money. Price! Value! Appeal!

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  Dont buy this car. - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Soul Stinks - October 13 - 12:56 am

  I think Kia thought that people would buy this car just for its styling. Well I bought it just for that reason and I couldnt have been more dissapointed. The fuel economy isnt what they say it is, I get 15mpg in the city. I dont know how this could possibly be. The interior and exterior are amazing but, the interior material quality is dismal at best. The ride is jumpy and jolty and no fun at all. I thought that since I got the sport model with the manuel it would be fun but, I was sadly mistaken. The stick shifter is mushy and un precise. Also, just from the poor quality of materials I dont bealive this car is going to last me that long at all.

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  Non smoking Campers view 2008 sportage. - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By 4wheels2move - October 12 - 10:13 pm

  This review do to recal on the 2007 sportage Going home from the dealership my check engine light went on. I read the manual. I checked for recalls on the web. I found one recall for brake sensor and took the 2008 kia back . I told them of the recall. Kia checked the computer and told me they had never had five sensors bad , reset my computer and sent me home. Light came on just down the street. I told them I thought it was the brake sensor. The computer said steering. They replaced it. Almost home check engine light again.I told them brake sensor gives false codes. They replaced pitch,yhaw, finaly the last the sensor a brake sensor done. When cruise control stopped working. Problem fixed

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  Surprised! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Mary - October 12 - 8:53 am

  Never thought Id be owning a KIA! Having grown up w/muscle cars and graduating into US model high end, fully loaded cars, I never thought. Had this car only one day but thoroughly enjoy it. Husband likes it too, so its not just a "girl" car. Its fun to drive, gas mileage is great, and my dealerships service is outstanding to the point of agreeing to replace head light assemblies that were strangely scratched, to the tune of $800 THEIR cost! Salesman was great, got financial approval in 5 min. and look forward each day to driving my Kia somewhere! Oh, the price I got for a fully loaded car was nothing short of amazing, too. Great job Keffer Kia, Mooresville, NC!

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  my cinco rocks!!! - 2004 Kia Rio
  By twin alane - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Great car! fun to drive. Great gas mileage for small tank. turns on a dime, and leaves a quarters change.easy to pack for long trips. very comfortable! would tell anyone to buy.road side assistance worked great in a jam. one small problem, but dealer fixed it. GREAT PRICE!!- first new car ever- I love it!!!!

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  My KIA - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Winddancer1 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I love this SUV. It is a smooth, solid ride with no excessive outside noise. It has all the options I wanted, no fancy do-dads I really wouldnt use. It is the right size for hauling the grandkids around, and all their stuff; plus I can actually load it up with animal feed for our farm without it being an all day project moving the seats, etc. I do have a complaint about it however, and that is the hood has developed small spots on it that have eaten through the clear-coat. Everytime I see another Kia Sorento, I look at the hood, and theirs is that way too--same place. The dealer says I parked it under a tree--but I NEVER have.

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  Optima LX - 2004 Kia Optima
  By ghicks50 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Financing was great! Thru KIA. Car has excellent style & design. I was really surprised at the performance! Pretty fast for a sedan. Overall I was very pleased with the car. KIAs have a reputation for a cheap transportation car but this is a luxury car

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  Why Spend More When You Can Get More? - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Kidfox - October 12 - 2:00 am

  If your reading this review than you must be considering on buying a Sorento. After seeing one, test driving one and also what it had to offer it made my decison alot easier. Looks like the Lexus suv but about $15k cheaper. I wanted something that my wife was comfortable driving but also the ability to do man things. We opted for the luxury package which I would suggest doing if it meets your budget. Its loaded. The ride is beautiful. Car like with a truck feel. But my biggest selling point was the Warranty. Another factor was the crash test reviews. 5 Stars. Bottom line is this. You get alot of bang for your buck. $25k with a $40K feel.