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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  08 Kia Optima (silver) - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Ron - May 20 - 7:40 pm

  I have been very please with the kia purchase. I opted for the performance package with 17" wheels and black outkits. Performance feels more than actual specs, especially in town. Overall great built car for the price

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  great car - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Tim - May 20 - 5:53 pm

  I now have 61,000 miles (3.8yrs) on my LX. Im 63 and I love the driver seat comfort. My wife on the other hand is 53" and the front passenger seat is way too low for her. We have had to buy a cushion so she feels comfortable seeing out. Tires wore out in 30K miles and were terrible in the snow. I now have Generals on it and they are great. I had the right front ball joint replaced under warranty at 55K miles. Im a little concerned about the left front now. It gets great gas mileage! Trips to Pittsburgh net me 37MPG (660 miles 72 MPH, cruise on, ECO on) and I consistently get 29-30 mpg in my every day driving. Has a nice large trunk that is great for trips, enough for the luggage and all the thing my wife buys. Over all a great car and would buy one again. 9/15/16 - still a great car. Had to have the left front wheel bearing replace at 71467 miles. It was covered under warranty!

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  good family starter - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By chrismaria - May 20 - 10:00 am

  looks good ,runs great

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  It needs a new what??????? - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By hhbah - May 20 - 10:00 am

  At 2200 miles the engine started clicking. Took it to the dealer who said the Kia rep would need to see the car. It needed a new engine, which Kia did put in under the warranty, and provided a loaner. Never did get an answer as to what specifically was the problem or why the engine warning light did not light up. Thank god for the 5 year warranty, I think I may need it.

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  i love it - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By reiss - May 20 - 10:00 am

  i love this suv and when the time comes to purchase another, i will get another Sorento. It looks and drives like a Lexus SUV for 1/3 the price...everyone compliments me on this car. i love it.

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  Kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Dave Hennion - May 20 - 10:00 am

  This is got to be one of the best suvs that i have ever bought its a blast to drive,

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  2006 KIA Sorento - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Claudia - May 19 - 12:46 pm

  Thanks for such a great SUV. I love to drive my KIA. It handles very well on curves. I like the room it has inside for my family, yet it feels like a smaller SUV. I has a good ride and is comfortable on long trips.

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  Great Car for Price - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Rusty - May 19 - 10:36 am

  Purchased this for my wife. We looked at the CR-V, but it was not available with a V6. Also, was about 10K more when compared to our fully loaded KIA. Also, the KIA has a better warranty. This car is excellent for the price. The 4X4 w/ESC and TRAC is GREAT in the snow and ice. Leather heated seats & remote start are nice and a must for cold weather users. Not impressed with the gas mileage. We have yet to see better then 18.5 MPG in the city. (About 17 in the winter.) I was never a fan of KIA before I purchased this, but so far, I have been impressed. I would purchase again.

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  I own an 06 sedona, would love to own a 15! - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By taxilady7 - May 19 - 5:18 am

  My red Sedona was purchased used with 60,000 miles and is used as a taxi! My customers love riding in it. The engine is so quiet. It now has 239,000 miles and is still running great! Did not do an tune up until 225,000 miles and of course kept all the other regular maintenance up, like oil, tires, etc... This one is an EX, biggest problems I am having now is the electric doors not working and cant find anyone out side the dealership to fix them! Other small stuff is headlights blow every 3 months, even replaced one whole light, sway bar links have to be replaced every year! Parts are hard to find and if you use the after market parts they dont last! Have to go online to find good parts!

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  Kia - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Anita - May 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my very first new car ever! I just love it. Its easy to maintain--great on gas and easy to wash. Cleans up fast and interior is easy to keep clean also. Mine is ice blue -- sometimes it looks grey and sometimes it looks blue -- really neat!