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 the Greatest, But it gets you there. - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By R. Eubank - September 8 - 9:50 pm

  This "Economy" car is one of few that I can fit comfortably in. Im 62" and the drivers cabin is roomy for a small car. The backseat is even OK. Not very powerful, but use 4WD in the mountains...it gets you there; not quickly, but it gets you there. I thought that the 4-cylinder would get better gas mileage, about 19 in town and 22 highway. All in all, I would but another Kia. Mmaybe the "Sorento." Hmmm, now there is a car.

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  Am I Lucky? - 2007 Kia Optima
  By - September 8 - 6:13 am

  I purchase my car on December 2007, 14 miles on it; has 40100 miles on it an there are a few cervices performed on it. Normal recommended maintenance performed at Kia service center like Oil changes and check fluid levels, rotate tires, check the brakes, etc. They told me at the service center about having to replace the brake pads wen it had only about 26K miles ( No warranty ), then The Battery died about 26500 ( No warranty ), the sun shades broke, they won’t stay up so they have to be replaced (Covered by the car warranty ), At 31K miles I noticed that my car direction pulls to my Right just barely so I Let them know about the problem But it was not covered by the warranty, the claimed

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  Paint issues and electrical issues not considered - 2013 Kia Optima
  By Not our problem - September 5 - 8:05 pm

  I filed a complaint about my paint/clear coat having a spider web effect when I waxed. The complaint was made before the warranty was up. I contacted Kia a second time because the issue was progressively worse. Kia denied that I had filed a claim. I was informed by the rep that nothing was on file for my vehicle in their system. Now the paint is off of the warranty and this problem is everywhere. Their district manager stated " he would not look at it". Also, too the car into the dealer for an issue with the gear shift. When the button is pushed I hear the solenoid in the dash board. I asked for it to be looked at and was advised nothing is wrong. Drivers window motor has begun to squeal when the window is rolled up. After a rain I had noticed the rotors /brakes seemed as if they were rusting and grinding heavily for a few moments. Dealer stated nothing was wrong with it. Sounds terrible and grinds.

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  6 month owner - 2003 Kia Optima
  By ChuckSH - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I went from a 2000 Integra 5 speed manual to my Kia LX V6 auto trans. The Integra was more fun to drive and I miss the gas mileage, but overall, I like the Kia better. The Kia rides better and is much roomier. It was also less expensive and comes equipped with a better waranty. The stereo sound quality between the two is about equal. Power equipment (windows/locks) seem to work better in the Kia. I just hope the car turns out to be as reliable as my Integra.

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  A dream to drive - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By dallaspaul - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Pricepoint was the main reason for interest initially. A combination of comfort, style, and quality overall sold me. I am well-pleased with my purchase.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By cARluvr22 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. it has the worlds best ameneties. I has the worlds best warrenty. It is one of the best cars on the road today.

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  Kia Sorento - Would Recommend - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By supsto99 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Handles well, compared to numerous other models the carge space is great and the site lines when driving are excellent.

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  Great Car Very Poor Mileage - 2011 Kia Optima
  By ischreiber - September 4 - 7:21 pm

  I bought this car because I thought it was beautiful and still do. I t comes with great features for the money and is very distinctive. The one big problem I have is the mileage. I get about 17-19 in the city and about 26 on the highway. The estimate they advertise is 24 City 35 Highway. What is particularly disturbing is the response/lack of response from either the dealer or KIA customer service. The dealer did a fuel economy test on the car and came up with combined city/hwy of 22.5 mpg a far cry from the advertised mpg. I am totally frustrated with KIA. I previously owned an accord EXL and will probably go back to them next time I buy.

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  A nice car for a reasonable price. - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By LORI DEARSTONE - September 3 - 5:06 pm

  A very nice vehicle with a lot of features for a good price. It turns a lot of heads. Some have compared its looks to a Mercedes & Jaguar.

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  Fantastic Sedan - 2013 Kia Optima
  By golleye - September 3 - 4:22 pm

  I test drove this car, a scion TC, and a Honda accord and the Optima was, in my opinion, the best of the three. With the features offered and the low price tag this car blew me away. Ive had the car for 7 months now and have put 11,000 miles on it and I still love it. I have seen the other people saying that they do not get good gas mileage but on the country roads I get about 30mpg and in the city I still get a good 27mpg on the highway I usually average 35mpg. I have had no problems with the car and I definitely recommend it to someone looking for an amazing and gorgeous looking sedan with a low price tag.