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:

• 

  Hard vehicle to love. - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Unhappy - June 3 - 2:43 am

  Electrical problems from the start that still arent addressed. Now we are into the drive train(driveshaft replacement that didnt stop the shaking). Oh boy, cant wait to try out the new rear end parts that will be going in tomorrow. Maybe not, because they may not have them by tomorrow. The paint is looking like it may go the route of blister and pop- the little rusty starbursts give this white vehicle the look of measles without previous vaccination. How can I forget the brakes all the way around at 19,000 miles. Another 10,000 miles and it was tires. All this and a disappointing 14MPG. Oh, this baby is a Lexus in disguise all right. Stay away if you want a really good car.

• 

  Fun to drive - 2017 Kia Forte
  By wilberto reyes - June 2 - 11:54 pm

  Really nice drive and have a good pickup just need a better transmission with out high rpms

• 

  2014 Cadenza w/Technology Package - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By 6406nb - June 2 - 7:48 pm

  It has been about three weeks and 1000 miles since I leased this new Cadenza. If someone would have told me 6 months ago I would be driving a Kia, I would have told them they were crazy. But I read about it in some comparison tests and was driving past the dealer, so I randomly stopped to take a look. I was impressed with the aggressive style, and the smoky blue metallic had me hooked. They pulled it right out of the showroom and off we went for a test drive. As a very loyal Toyota and Lexus owner for over 20 years, and the lack of aggressiveness (especially Lexus on the ES) to make a deal pushed me over the line and away I went in the new Cadenza.

• 

  Poorly built AC compressor and interior - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By Boo Borrego - June 2 - 4:56 pm

  Interior has a cheap feel, scratches or scuffs easy. AC compressor makes a knocking noise and I only have 3400 miles on the vehicle. I have taken it in for repair twice and of course the noise isnt as loud while its at KIA so they say it is normal. $27,000 luxury vehicle that makes a knocking noise while going down the road! I was a repeat buyer, but will no longer buy from KIA.

• 

  Underestimated - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Ronin - June 2 - 6:10 am

  I was a bit wary about buying this car especially when Im used to BMW and Audi. I was surprised with the elasticity of the 1.5 L engine with its 97 BHP. In a world that is dominated by V6s and V8s you understand. With the fuel prices soaring like they are, and commuting 66 miles a day this is definitely a welcome change to the 17mpg average I was getting on a 95 Rodeo. It gets an average of 33mpg! The only thing I noticed is driving in excess of 70mph I get a howling through the window. This car is definitely worth the money I invested in it. Bought it with just a little over 60k miles on it.

• 

  Dont be fooled by the Badge - 2012 Kia Optima
  By thorlo - June 2 - 3:50 am

  I have owned Dozens of new cars, including,7/ VWs,3/BMWs,3/Audis,2/Acuras,1/Jag& a M-B. All were special in their own way, But as far as Packaging, performance, style, funtion, and safety rating (NHTSA/IIHS), My 2012 Kia Optima SX, is by far the best car Ive ever Owned. it feels as solid as any of them. And on my trip From Texas to Va. I got 33 true MPG, at speeds somewhat above those posted. so a word to the wise car shopper, Dont be fooled by the Badge.

• 

  Landcruiser to Kia? 1000 mile update. - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Gvolpe - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Went in to test drive the Sorrento, two hours later traded in my gas guzzling Landcruiser for my ex luxury package loaded silver Sorento. its been 1000 miles and so far no problems except the usual new car paranoia...parking lots, crazy drivers, etc. (dreading that first door ding) truck handles like a car, looks much nicer than the $41,000 lexus, has features that rival a Mercedes suv One note: tire pressure was 50 p.s.i. went I first bought the truck, very stiff ride. Lowered it to 30 and it rides very smooth now.

• 

  My Sorenta EX - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Dixie English - June 1 - 10:00 am

  After test driving a Lexus 330 I decided to test drive the Kia Sorenta 4WD. I got all the new features plus a tow package and gold trim, side step bars heated mirrors. It looks comparative to the Lexus and it cost half as much. We LOVE it! The ride is smooth and the look is sleek. Ride is very important to me because I have had back surgery and at first was not even considering an SUV. Couldnt ask for more with the great warranty.

• 

  Gotta love the warranty - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By NL - May 30 - 10:50 am

  I have driven 42.000 miles in my Kia and have enjoyed most of them. The engine literally died in December and the dealer replaced it completely, zero cost to me, other than the lack of the vehicle for a month. I tow a camper with it.

• 

  Umm!! - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By gd1 - May 27 - 6:24 am

  Well I purchased the 2011 Kia Sportage LX in August 2010 and I must say the firmness of the SUV was an issue with me. I enjoyed the Navigation and Satellite but it wasnt enough for me to keep the car due to my monthly payments. It was great in the snow. I hope my trade in was worth it. Bye Bye Kia!