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:

• 

  Great vehicle, Poor Gas Mileage - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Elijah Martin - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Great styling! Beautiful. I love it! I just wish it got better gas mileage. Many standard features that I wanted... great! Handles like a dream!

• 

  Dont buy the 4 Cylinder - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By barbieharley - February 7 - 9:26 am

  Just bought a 2012 Sorento LX with the 2.4L 4 cylinder engine. Took it home and it drove great. It was a little sluggish compared to my 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe with the 3.5L V6 but I thought it would save on gas. I took it to work the next day and didnt even get 20 miles and it wouldnt shift out of first gear. I will be returning it within the 5 day period. Will never buy another 4 Cylinder car.

• 

  I love my Sorento!! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Joan & Loren - February 7 - 2:00 am

  After renting a Sorento while on vacation, my husband and I feel in love with it! I have always had Explorers and my husband has a Tahoe. We felt that the ride and handling of the Kia surpassed that of both of our other vehicles, especially my Explorer. Driving through the mountains with another couple, the four of us could not believe how snappy the engine was and how well the vehicle handled the curves. Our friends in the back seat were so comfortable after riding there all day and one has back problems! Also, we noticed that the four of us could easily converse due to the quiet ride. We love SUVs and this is by far the best yet!

• 

  In Love! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Young Mother - February 4 - 11:43 pm

  This vehicle is awesome! I have one with the back up camera and heated seats. Love the bluetooth. This CUV drives like a car, is quiet and comfortable. I am only 52" and I am not intimidated by it at all. The dealership was awesome and game me more for my trade in than it is worth! My kids enjoy the reclining backseats and sound system. I just got it Sat. so I cant really review reliability.

• 

  2011 Sorento LX - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By srj1265 - February 3 - 5:36 pm

  I have owned my Sorento for about a month. Didnt notice a real rough ride on test drive (test model had different wheels/ tires), but the ride is horrible!!! This isnt as some describe as a stiff ride, think more like a vehicle having about 120,000 miles on it right out of the gate. Actually that may be better. The DFD shocks that are fitted in the SX (now on all models?) may help a little. I will be complaining to my dealer and Kia regarding this and if unresolved I guess I will take a "bath" and trade it in for a non Kia vehicle. This may have been my worse purchase I have ever made, depending on how kia handles the situation.

• 

  Great car for the money - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By LXFwd4drSUV(2.0L4cyl - February 2 - 4:36 pm

  Very inexpensive "Volvo" looking car that comes with comfortable seats and plenty of room for driver and guests.

• 

  Just Plain Excellent - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By JOHN MCCARTHY - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Kia , has really out done its self! Under Promise and for Sure it Over Delivered one awesome Vehicle! Road Trips are Comfy and those daily dreaded commutes are a breeze thanks to the Comfort , Style , and design of Kia Sedona. I would highly recommend this Vehicle to everyone!

• 

  Gas Mileage only 21 mpg!! - 2011 Kia Optima
  By west209 - January 31 - 8:34 am

  When looking for a new car my wife and I were first looking at gas mileage. We like the Optima EXs panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and other aestitics. However, we were disappointed that the gas mileage was between 19-23 mpg, and we commute 40 miles RT. We do not travel fast and mostly drive freeway! After 1000 miles the dealer said it takes longer to break it in "6,000 miles". At just over 6,000 miles we scheduled a full service complaint: they found nothing and directed us to the "KIA Consumer Affairs Dept.". We have NEVER been treated so rude! "Angel" said, "Sorry! Too bad! Dont pay attention to EPA estimated MPG!!" We are stuck with a lemon! The WORSE customer service. Lawsuit!

• 

  Great Luxury Car! - 2016 Kia K900
  By Liana Drube - January 29 - 8:46 pm

• 

  KIA Problems - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Martin F. Morgan Sr. - January 27 - 10:00 am

  My KIA sedona, within the first 15,000 miles had to have an alternator, and transmission replaced. The inside back Air control continues to fall out of the ceiling, and I have had to go through the factory to have it replaced. It continues to have the same problem with it, falls out of the ceiling. The interior is not well put together and the gas mileage is poor at best. The gas nozzel will cut off but pumping slowly you can still put four to five gallons of gas in the vehicle.