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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  Great and fun commuter - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By ARConcepts - August 7 - 8:03 pm

  With now 2000 miles under its belt, I would like to say this was a great purchase. There are some slight noises through the cabin, but overall fit and finish is very good. The manual transmission is the way to go to get the most from the engine, though the clutch takes a little getting used to and rpms tend to hang a little per shift. Long strokes between gears, but a $90 aftermarket short shifter should allievate this problem. Great gas mileage thus far ,worst MPG so far 28.79 mpg on the first tank (best 33.06 mpg last tank 1806 miles). Roomier than my old 98 Explorer storage wise and lots of great features make it a welcome little car. Was really fun in the mountains, just needs more HP.

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  20,000 miles and loving it more - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By flyboy80 - August 7 - 5:36 pm

  Been trouble free, fun to drive, extremely agile in traffic. Meets or exceeds advertised performance numbers. Acceleration and braking awesome. Fuel mileage 30 to 35 MPG (Imperial) in county/town, and 35 to 40 on freeway at 62 to 65 mph, depending on wind. One days travel actually 625 miles on tank (15 IMP). We know there have been economy problems with some models, but not this one. Ride is firm, but offset by great control in turns and winding roads. V6 is the way to go. Best weve owned.

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  2004 Kia Optima Great Car - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Cptterry - August 7 - 1:20 pm

  Bought this car new! Have had no major problems at all. Key to any car performing to your expectations..... Maintenance, follow the schedule. I have replaced tires once at 60 K along with timing belt with required maintenance. Oil and filter EVERY 3,000 miles. 2 head lamp builds an 1 set of brake pads ( Front ) I will buy another Kia again! I worked for a GM dealer for 21 years .. thought we built great cars..... NOT!

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  Fun little car - 2014 Kia Soul
  By Stephen Gannon - August 7 - 4:09 am

  Our 2014 Kia soul is a plus model with 18" wheels and sorry red accents. Its fun to drive and head more room that one we of expect, especially when the rear seats are down. My diameter loves the car so- home run. We purchased this from carvana and cant say enough good things about their service a d how easy it is to buy a car from them. Im a big fan and will certainly but from them again.

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  Best Cheap Car on the Market - 2001 Kia Rio
  By NBJeff - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I got my KIA (with a crappy trade) for under 3 grand, I figured I would just run it thru the warrenty and throw it away. well, I have put 25k on it in one year, and I really like it a lot. Very reliable (new brakes, thats it) more fun to drive than you would think (and mine has a stick and NO power steering). Its a little rough on hills and bumpy roads but for a commuter car, I cant imagine a better deal out there.

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  Get what you pay for - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Kalamazoo - August 6 - 10:00 am

  The price is very appealing (not to mention the warranty), but Ive had nothing but problems after purchasing my new KIA Rio. At only 900 miles, the computer was shot. I was without a car for over two weeks as the dealership in Lansing, MI had the part on order. No loaner car while waiting, never calling me with status, etc! Since then it has never ran very well .. makes a whistling sound going down the highway about 70MPH, hard starting, etc Steer clear of the 2001 Kia Rio!

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  its a decent car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Malik - August 6 - 10:00 am

  ride it to believe it .. its a nice car .. interior should be made better

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  For the price, cant beat it - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By ROLOH - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Well folks I read all the reviews here when I went to look at it and was very impressed. Most everyone loved it! Test drove a second time and was sold. Plenty of power, great ride, looks great, drives great, and saves me $100 bucks a month over my previous car the grand cherokee, with a fantastic waranty. I have never had so many people stop me to ask about the car I was driving.

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  Great SUV Except Serious Steering Issue - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By JAL - August 4 - 3:48 pm

  Love the car except for one important issue - the new electric steering system is lousy. We had a 2016 Sorento SXL for only 5 mos. before that was totaled when a driver ran a stop sign. We replaced with 2017 Sorento SXL ONe of the key decisions on the 2016 KIA was the great steering system. Unfortunately, the steering in the 2017 vehicle is a major disappointment. KIA changed the steering in the 2017 vehicle (upper level models) to an electric steering system. The new system lacks any "road feel". Furthermore, one is constantly making minor steering adjustments which is annoying at a minimum, but is dangerous if you look away for an quick look at something as the car immediately starts to wander. The dealer confirmed today that they are aware of the problem but there is no fix available to date. Hopefully there will be an updated software package in the future to correct the problem; however, until a fix is available, I do not recommend purchasing the SX or SXL!

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  a car for all seasons - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By s. fischman - August 3 - 2:53 pm

  Smooth quiet ride with luxurious roomy interior. The handling and turning radius is excellent. The storage is adequate and the pass through is a plus.