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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  My Optima - 2005 Kia Optima
  By SmartShopperAZ - April 12 - 9:20 am

  We bought this Optima because of the price and Kias past good performance for us. It is very roomy in the back with leg room. My husband is tall and I am only 52" so the seat choices are key. The "toys" are GREAT! Power that this auto has is amazing, and we get a better fuel usage on the Optima than we do on his Rio.

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  This thing wont die! - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By eagleboyrox - April 11 - 8:23 pm

  I have an 05 Sedona and this van is surprisingly the most reliable van I have ever seen. Kias cars are crap but this van has 306,234 miles on it right now and still runs like the day it came off the showroom floor. The engine is so quiet you cant hear it run and the transmission still shifts like it should. I love the room inside and the seats are easy to remove. Ive even hauled my jetski in it a few times! I keep the oil changed with 10 w30 Mobil 1 synthetic. That may also account for the great gas mileage I get in this van. It only uses a quarter tank up and back from my house to my mothers house which is about 80 miles away as long as you keep the mph fairly steady. Keep that in mind.

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  Used to Be a Honda Enthusiast. - 2017 Kia Soul
  By Car Guy - April 11 - 12:50 pm

  I now own two Kia Souls - The first one (2013) was so impressive in build quality I bought a second upon reading the 2017 reviews. When Car and Driver and Road and Track give a 4.5 out of 5 stars - one pays attention. The 2017 I own Is simply amazing in build quality, ride handling and amenities ...... No comparison out there especially considering price.

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  2004 Kia Optima V6 - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Lynda Schwartz - April 9 - 1:36 pm

  This car is easy to handle, responds quickly and has excellent heat, air and defrost systems.

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  Outstanding Driveability - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Caseman 1969 - April 9 - 10:06 am

  We have owned our Sorento for almost a year now and besides the gas mileage, it has been an outstanding purchase. The vehicle looks small and agile from outside, but when you get in it and drive it, things improve to an unparalleled level of comfort. The acceleration is excellent, which does not help fuel economy. Brakes are excellent. Interior fit and finish are excellent. Had a new Sonata pull out in front of us yesterday when we were doing 55, and the vehicles ABS and stability control worked in perfect harmony to avoid a very serious crash. Fuel economy ranges from 20 around town, to as much as 23 on a recent trip to the Outer Banks. Buy with confidence. This is a great vehicle.

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  Great Used 2003 Optima - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Ace Shot - April 9 - 8:36 am

  Bought this car with 26,000 miles and 11 months left on the factory 5 year/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty! It had only minor issues (power window switch and power locks) and the dealer made the repairs for free, under warranty. Fun to drive it with its "sportmatic" transmission. I like putting it in manual shift mode from time to time to pass slower cars, or to perform better on hills. I used to think it was a gas guzzler, until I changed my driving habits: If I dont stomp on the gas in the city, and on the highway I speed up slowly and drive 80 mph or less, I get very good gas mileage. Performs very well and looks very nice. I got a lot of bang for my buck with this car.

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  Dependable - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Ben Marcus - April 9 - 4:23 am

  Good car for the price. Very dependable, great warranty. Not the best gas mileage, but definitely for the price. Id have to say this is the best sedan under $15k that you can find. Handles well. 2 liter engine gives it a little pep and it handles nicely on the highway and just around town. Good interior and spacious back seat (as far as a backseat in a sedan goes). Im 63" and there is plenty of head and leg room in the front seat. Revs up a little much when switching gears, especially when going fast.

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  Totally Suprised - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Larry - April 8 - 12:06 pm

  The Sorentos price, features, and ride totally amazes me! I wasnt even LOOKING at Kias! Stopped to look at a used Edge on the lot, and Don (salesmen) asked if Id considered a Sorento. As he described features not standard on other models I was looking at he got my attention! I bought a 4 cyl. for the mpg which is much better than my Saturn Vues manual. The ride is VERY car like, The cabin is SO quiet. Even the blinker and blower motor are quiet! And the satellite radio and blue tooth are luxurys Id have never looked for, but seem indispensable now! It was the fifth SUV I drove (on a list of four) and I could not be happier. Even the sales experience- Was FUN! A+++ Kia!

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  Not a complaint outta me - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By I_dig_my_KIA - April 8 - 10:00 am

  In reality, she isnt that much cheaper than the competition, but the Sedona is well built, packed with extras that are options on competitive vehicles, and an all around people hauler. I read many complaints about the LX not coming with Keyless entry? Well learn to barter with your dealer. I got keyless, floormats, lifetime detailing and oil changes thrown in for free. total price of the nicest minivan I have ever owned: $17,400. Compared to my 98 Grand Voyager, this thing is faultless.

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  Great car, fun to drive! - 2006 Kia Rio
  By MikeT - April 8 - 6:13 am

  This is my 5th Kia in 8 years. The quality just keeps on getting better! I had the original 2001 Kia Rio, it was economical and cute, nothing exciting but great value with the warranty. Last month I traded in my 2004 Spectra for the Rio 5 SX. I instantly fell in love with the metal pedals, leather wrapped steering wheel and comfortable cloth. I am 63" and felt more room in the Rio then in the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic I tested earlier in the week. Plenty of leg space and high roof give this car a spacious feel to it. The engine is spirited and peppy. Much more power then you would expect from a 1.6 Litre 110 hp engine. Summary: Great looks in and out, comfy, powerful. plenty of airbags!