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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  Did My Homework - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Annette - June 28 - 10:04 am

  2017 Kia Sportage SX AWD is amazing, after doing my homework, new Sportage offers best new car for price. Plenty of power when needed and gas mileage which was my main concern has not been much of an issue. One 600 mile drive on mostly cruise I got 27 MPG. Very luxurious interior with good placement of controls. Love the ventilated seats, heated steering. Everything I need with one exception, adaptive cruise control. Other than that all the safety features are included. We own a Kia Optima as well which we have loved but had roof noise which took 2 trips to the service dept. to repair. Sportage is much quieter and the moon roof is very large, very nice. Easy to get in and out of, plenty of back storage with seats forward or about the same size as my last Subaru Outback.

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  Great Car Except..the minor NON DEPLOYING AIR BAGS - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Whitney Alt - June 28 - 1:09 am

  I love this car. Seriously I do. Which is why I am sickened about the safety issue I have learned about with Kias air bags. I read several reviews on here before I purchased it and am disappointed none where about the air bags. My air bag light came on suddenly. Vehicle was not involved in any sort of accident. Took it in and bottom line I had to have an entire new driver side air bag and assembly replaced. When I question how the heck an air bag needs to be replaced with out being in an accident or tampered with Dealer says, "It just happens, the air bag is defective." Well I wasnt going to drive around in a vehicle whos driver side air bag was not functioning. So I coughed up $1300 to get it fixed. Figured Id go after Kia after the fact. They have told me no, and no again. One of the reps tried telling me this isnt a safety issue. Seriously? Anyways, I will get my money out of them. In the mean time a little internet research reveals several, several stories of people who did not have an air bag light on and where in roll over or other serious collisions and NO air bags deployed. Scary. Wonder if the rest of my air bags will work in a collision...?

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  From Lexus RX to Kia Sorento - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By GRANITE, STEEL, CHISELED & RIPPED - June 27 - 5:46 am

  Purchased in Dec 2015. Road trip from S/Diego to S/Francisco. Two thumbs up. Quiet smooth and comfortable. Avg 28mpg. Have the LX , ,V 6. With 290 hp, it can get up and go. Raced a Porche Cayenne for 3 miles but for smart and backed off. I COULD HAVE DUSTED HIM, but my darling wife got nervous.

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  2004 Kia Optima LX - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Problems - June 26 - 11:16 am

  I purchased the car used with 59K miles. I now have 63K miles and have already had to replace the power steering hose ($200 +) and now the power door locks are messed up and literally lock me in the car. I have had to climb out the window, this might be ok if I were Bo Duke. It does have a smooth ride. Sometimes when I first start the car it will stall or take a second to get going, sorta like its not getting gas. The car looks pretty but looks can be deceiving. Dont buy. Run away.

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  New Soul ! - 2013 Kia Soul
  By smillermom - June 26 - 2:17 am

  I absolutely love, love my Kia! I went with the Exclaim as I wanted all upgrades possible and am glad I did. There is not a feature I could imagine that is not in this vehicle. They thought of everything. I love the way it handles and the roll back feature also. The car is very solid and lots and lots of room. Nice and peppy and handles well in the rainy conditions we have been having. So very glad I traded and feel a joy just driving my car!! Now, if I can get it from being dinged in parking lots life would be perfect!!!!

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  Happy Newbie - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Emann - June 24 - 4:20 pm

  I just purchased the 2006 Sorento with 35K 4x2 5 speed manual. The 3.5 L V6 has more power than it needs which will hopefully last much longer as a result. What little body roll there is, it is very steady and comfortable around tighter curves and corners. The steering radius is extremely tight and impressive. I am fairly confident that I will be remaining a happy customer. Cheers!

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  Awsome Car! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Derik - June 24 - 3:37 am

  I am 66 and I still have plenty of room. I admit I have to tilt the seat back a bit. But in this car it feels right to tilt it back anyway. The get up and go is great! I have never had an issue with this car. I bought it new. It now has.99,000 miles. I do take good care of it and service every 5k. The only minor problem I had was when the floor was getting wet and found out it was a plugged hose from the a/c system. Was a 10 minute fix. I cant say Ive ever had better luck with any other vehicle. Great gas mileage!

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  Great Sedan - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By JC03 - June 24 - 12:13 am

  This is a great compact sedan and gives you more than expected for the money! The fuel ecomony is awesome. I am currently getting 34 mpg. For a 4 cylinder, it really zips around.

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  The Sephia is Absolutely wonderful - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Ernie W - June 23 - 10:00 am

  My 2000 Kia Sephia has never been anything but wonderful to me. Putting up with my cheapness atitude. The low grade unleaded AMPM gas, going 1000s of miles beyond my oil change needed, forgetting to put water in it, going over big pot holes, going on long car trips constantly. The sephia treats this poor college student like every car should. Absolutely superb performance everytime I turn that key.

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  Great car for the money. - 2003 Kia Rio
  By buddy1970 - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the money,if you are just looking for basic transportation.