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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  pleased - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By mouse3458 - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I totally love my Kia Sorento! Its comfortable and easy to drive. I love how high up it sits, shifts smoothly, and the room inside for us long legged people!!

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  Red Kia Optima - 2007 Kia Optima
  By RayS - August 29 - 6:13 pm

  2500 miles. Averaging 23 MPG in town. Just got 33 MPG on its first long interstate trip while running in the low to mid 70s. Car is comfortable and quiet. Not a sports car, but, it is very competent with about 5 PSI extra in the tires. Transmission and engine seem to be well matched and smooth. On the interstate, even in full auto mode it does not down shift at every hill. In the manumatic mode you can make it hold 5th even longer to increase mileage. Acceleration will easily keep up with any reasonable traffic without flogging it. Like the chain drive camshafts that do not require replacement belts every 70K. No problems yet – car has not even been back to the dealer.

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  Worst Nightmare - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Disappointed - August 28 - 5:53 pm

  Everyone says foreign cars are better. I would say to them dont include kia in the mix. Brand new alternator twice in 14 months, had to replace just about everything on it so far and have only 76,000 miles on it. Sound system is horrible it skips like a cd player and the cd player hasnt worked since the first week i bought it. Alarm hasnt worked for 2 years it goes off whenever it wants to when its set. And the parts are so expensive its stupid! I would NEVER recommend a Kia to anyone stick to toyota or honda.

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  My first Kia - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By L - August 28 - 4:50 pm

  This is my first Kia and I really like the Sorento EX. I heard pros and cons about the Kia Sorento when I was shopping around, but after comparing several SUVs, I like the interior and exterior design of the Sorento the best. We travel a lot and the ride is very comfortable and its fun to drive!

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  Great little car - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Homer - August 28 - 10:00 am

  My parents purchased this car for me shortly after they came on the market. I absolutely love this little car. It takes me everywhere, and I have never had a mechanical problem. Even if I did, Im happy that I have Kias 10 year warranty. It was super affordable, and easy to trick out. If yourre looking for a reliable, fun to drive, and inexpensive car...check out the Rio. This sounds like a comercial, doesnt it!

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  Could this be a GREAT minivan? - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By pgstein - August 28 - 10:00 am

  An interesting vehicle. Very heavy, and drives smoothly and comfortably as befits a heavy. Gas mileage suffers a bit as a result (a real 20). Drivetrain is outstandingly smooth and powerful - surprisingly so. 195 horses and a FIVE speed automatic contribute to that. ABS brakes feel a bit spongy but work fine. Handling is quite neutral, with pronounced torque steer only when accelerating hard. Interior is well laid out and comfortable and only a bit cramped for very big drivers. Its an enormous amount of van for the money.

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  GREAT LITTLE CAR - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By SKIPPER - August 28 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS A GREAT LITTLE SUV IN MUD YOU CANT STOP IT. RIDES SMOOTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND JUST ABOUT AS GOOD OFF ROAD!

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  My Kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By bobtutton - August 27 - 6:56 pm

  If only the fuel economy was a bit better, but it is still the best vehicle Ive owned. Lots of bells and whistles, great off road ability and just plain fun to drive. The great warranty, free oil changes for life, [only in Canada you say, O Canada] and a dealership that is great has made this the best I have ever experianced in the buying and owning of any auto.

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  Better mileage than EPA DATA - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Jim V - August 26 - 5:12 pm

  Took delivery of my 2017 Sportage SX just before the Labor Day weekend and had the opportunity to drive it on 2 trips. The first was a 300 mile round trip, 90% rural highway, speed range between 50 and 65 mph. Result: 28 mpg. The 2nd trip was shorter, approximately 100 miles, 90% highway 60-75 mph. Result: 26 mpg. Both trips had AC on and was in "Eco" mode. The car and driving experience? Wonderful!

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  Sportage - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Ray K - August 26 - 10:56 am

  Have had Kia Sportage 2 months. Have tried competitors and $ for $ cant beat value. Have an Amanti (2nd one) and as for value/comfort for $$ compares to the best of them. Not small guy was going to get Cadillac but not enough difference to make the addl $$ worth it.