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 Kia Sportage - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Elvedin - June 14 - 11:57 pm

  Everything is good about it. I love it. Great car. Its fast. Good size

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  Consider it - 2003 Kia Rio
  By PA Rio - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I shopped around for the lowest priced car that would be comfortable to drive and have all the necessary features, no more, no less. I found it in the 2003 Kia Rio. I am 62 and find the drivers seat very comfortable. Plenty of head and leg room. Nothing fancy about this car but it has a nice style and it is very inexpensive. Only downside is the power. I bought the automatic and it doesnt have much pep but if you are not "punching" the gas petal all the time, you probably dont care anyway. 30 MPG in city even though it is supposed to get less. Nice car, nice price.

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  Security is mostly a superstition - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By hoodwinked - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I have owned the car for 18 months it has been in the shop for cracked windshield, new radiator fan, new cat converter, blown speakers, lose passenger floorboard... IT has never been fixed when promised. I was verbaly attacked by my service manager for a negative review of service (go figure)the first 30k service is $600.00 the spark plugs last only 30k and cost $25.00 each. Next time its Honda or Toyota

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  sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Klink - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Good build, Great forward view, nice aproach angles.Great in real off conditions. Windshield is to soft and is easily pitted.

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  kia sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By edis - June 12 - 2:00 am

  i like the outside look of the suv,inside is not so bad, how about a third row seats (i think it would be very nice ),navigation system .i hope they gonna build with those options.

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  A Good Value Mid Size SUV - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By bimmershawn - June 9 - 10:56 pm

  Had it for almost a month. Was considering getting a luxury SUV, but after reading the Consumer Report which rated the V6 Sorento very highly among the mid size suv, I decided to take a look. I like the styling a lot and the comfort of the base model cloth seating. Mileage rated at 20/26 is pretty accurate and is among the best in V6 SUVs. Extra 3rd role seats are standard. Although with updated DFD shocks, the ride is still pretty firm but the handling is surprisingly good. A very practically all around car for multi purpose. Dealer gave me a very good discount and dealer incentives.

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  Only thing good is warranty - 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid
  By Josh - June 9 - 11:21 am

  Car does not get anywhere near advertised mileage, it varies depending on which gas station you use. but my V8 Mustang GT gets better mileage on the highway. The taillights fill with moisture all the time, had them replaced 8 times still do it. The trunk comes open when it wants, the bluetooth does not sync have the time. Worst of all is resell paid 36k after 10k miles it is worth $16,500 should have never switched from Toyota

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  A new way to roll - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Soul Lover - June 9 - 4:53 am

  I trade in a Mazda 3 for my Kia Soul. I was a little worried at first that I was going to lose the zoom-zoom, but Im very happy with my car. I have had the car about six weeks and I have 1800 miles on it, still solid and squeak free. My friends call it the monster truck because of the 18" wheels.

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  Lemon - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Disappointed - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car less than a month ago and has already been in the shop twice. First mistake was buying used but I guess they saw a sucker coming. I got a lemon. Service dept. tells me its bad spark plug wires and spark plugs. Really every two weeks. They cannot replace them all until defective if under warranty. Really? Bet my warranty runs out first.

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  Great car with 239K miles - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Paul - June 9 - 2:00 am

  239,000 Miles and is still going strong. I am still very pleased and had no major mechanical issues. It rides very comfortably and has not developed any annoying squeaks or rattles. The interior has held up as well if not better than my previous Acura and Volvo. Great sound system. Maintenance has been about average and I have replaced the timing belt twice at 80K miles and 160K miles. If you are considering the 04 Sorento be sure that the 2 recalls (crankshaft pulley bolt and the intake manifold butterfly valve) have been done. Replace the coolant tank with the redesigned one. no increase in oil use even with 239K miles. Average about 20- 21 MPG HWY. Better than the 19 listed.