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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  Brand New! - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By CUL8R - July 16 - 10:00 am

  After test driving the Toyota, Honda and KIA, talking with all the dealerships, researching, and seeing the reviews on this site, in my AAA magazine and Consumer Reports Auto Issue,we were convinced to try the KIA, especially with the warranty they have and the safety rating.We got a fully loaded EX for only $21,000 total- everything.We could only hope for 1/4 of the items we wanted/needed on a Toyota and Honda at $22K.Weve had our Kia for less than a full week, but I love it and am glad we made the decision to buy it. The 3.5L/V6 engine is snappy(its only a 3.0 on the Toyota ya know),its quiet, comfortable, and smooth.So far,so good.

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  Love this Car - 2011 Kia Optima
  By couyon - July 14 - 2:06 pm

  I purchased the EX with premium package. Cant believe everything this car offers for the money I paid. Just went over a 1000 miles and love everything so far. Read the car reviews complaing about the comfort of the seats but I have no complaints so far. True the leather seating is not as plush as some may prefer but it is not uncomfortable. I am 6ft 4in and weigh 275 and this car is very roomy. Car drives great and handling is crisp and precise. Wish the turbo would have come out a month sooner but this car has enough power for daily commuting.

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  I got a lemon! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By sprinkles - July 14 - 10:00 am

  it was a nice van until it got a oil leak that the dealership couldnt fix even with kias help. you might get all the goodies not included w/other vans but better check the mechanics, in other words, its cheaper for a reason.good thing its got a really good warrenty cause its going to be worked on a lot if this is the way the whole thing was made.

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  My Kia Optima is just excellent! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By markinstpete - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I really enjoy my Optima. The drive is excellent, smooth running engine. While most 4 cylinder cars I tested lost alot of power when I flipped on the air, you dont notice any lack of power with my optima. I love the interior features alot. And it was all at an excellent price. I would definately recomend the optima to anyone.

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  love my kia - 2004 Kia Optima
  By leo scullio - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love my kia. It is fun to drive, looks great, and is laid out for easy use and convenience. I can not say enough about how much value I have received for what Ive paid for it.

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  A phenomenal value! - 2011 Kia Optima
  By ambobob - July 14 - 8:10 am

  We purchased our Optima about 5 months ago, and in that time have only put about 900 miles on it so its difficult to comment on reliability. But - that aside, wow do you get a lot of car for the money! Ours came practically loaded (minus the panoramic sunroof, navigation, heated/cooled seats) - for around $22,000. The interior is modeled after Audi, and seems like something youd find in a much more expensive car. The beautiful French stitching really catches the eye, and the exterior styling definitely turns heads! Kia has definitely come a long, long way in the past 10 years and I would encourage anybody who is in the market for a mid-size sedan to strongly consider the Optima.

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  Great Car! - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Great Buy - July 13 - 4:40 am

  I have had my Spectra for a little over a month and I love it. It is a very comfortable ride. I get around 400 miles to a tank with combined city/highway driving. All controls very easy to reach.

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  Regret? - 2012 Kia Optima
  By sdbolts - July 12 - 10:34 pm

  I bought this car in March of 2012 with high expectations. In the beginning, I didnt notice how bad the gas mileage actually was, because I thought it was just getting acclimated with my driving. However, after a couple months, I could only muster between 23-25mpg city, and 27-29mpg highway. Also, the steering is rather lacking, it doesnt feel tight or grip the road as well as thought it would. The acceleration is weak, period. Also, the "eco" mode plays a large role in fuel economy, larger than I expected. Without the eco mode, the car handles well, more power, and a much better feel; just how I expected with about 20% worse fuel economy.

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  A "jewel" discovered by former luxury sedan owner - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By ncmtnbooper - July 11 - 4:09 pm

  Had AWD SX 3 weeks and ecstatic w/decision! Discerning and detail oriented, discovered this particular new model while refining choices for youngest daughter (buying first car entering final PhD student year in Cincinnati). Last two cars hand-built 2005 VW V8 Phaeton and 2001 BMW 750 IL, so I "know" luxury cars. At 62", comfort is a "must" - closely followed by size, performance, and value. "Fit" of loaded gray SX "just right" (golf clubs & accessories store privately in rear and roomy to ferry 2 standard poodles daily to office). No winter use yet for AWD, but MPG usually 30+. Daughter bought identical Red one sans NAV package. Wouldnt consider other non-turbo charged Sportages.

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  Good basic Transportation - 2002 Kia Rio
  By tkorcal - July 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Rio in Jan. 02. I have had no problems. I use it as a second car for work and back daily and running the kids back and forth.