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:

• 

  New Purchase of Used Kia Optima - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Doug Pierce - March 16 - 2:33 am

  Just purchased a 2004 Kia Optima, I like the way the car rides and handles, engine seems strong and fuel economy so far is averaging appx. 25.6 mpg city and country driving. I wish the car had auto headlamps and auto door locking. Otherwise I am very happy so far, I just purchased the vehicle with 60640 miles on. Body and paint are excellent, interior is spotless. I like the way the drivers seat fits me, I am short however I can sit back from the steering wheel and still reach the accelerator and brake pedal. In my 97 Buick which this replaces, I had to sit much to close to the steering wheel, miss the power seat and dual AC. Otherwise a great vehicle. Thanks.

• 

  Avoid at all costs- Please learn from me - 2007 Kia Optima
  By KenInPasco - March 13 - 7:10 pm

  Ive had to replace the wonderful automatic transmission twice. Kia needs to address the problems people are having with their five speed automatic transmissions. AAA roadside assistance has had to tow me three times with this vehicle. Twice for the transmission and once for a failed starter.

• 

  Forte Fan - 2016 Kia Forte
  By Rich Shinnick - March 12 - 7:38 am

  I really enjoy driving my Forte. My kids like it when I open the doors and the mirrors automatically go into position. It roomy and hugs every corner. It has a nice size engine with very good gas mileage. I have nav, heated seats, heated steering wheel and a sun roof.

• 

  2004 KIA OPTIMA EX ,V6,4DR SEDAN - 2004 Kia Optima
  By clsdee - March 12 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS MY FIRST KIA AND I AM REALLY IMPRESSED WITH THE QUALITY AND PREFORMANCE. IT IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE AND VERY ECONOMICAL ON GAS. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MANY YEARS OF KIA PLEASURE.

• 

  NEW KIA SOUL SPORT - 2010 Kia Soul
  By TERESA801 - March 11 - 11:40 pm

  I have only had my Kia Sport for a few days, but I love it. Sporty, fun to drive and I really like my red interior. Was going to buy the Molten exterior, but once I saw it at the dealership, decided it was too flat a color. I decided on the Titanium, which is metallic and much prettier. I am a 51 year old female, traded in my Honda Element for the Soul.

• 

  Awesome!!!! - 2016 Kia Soul
  By Rose - March 11 - 4:16 pm

  Purchased a 2016 Kia SOUL two weeks ago. Had a great salesperson named Theo Noor (highly recommend him). Went in their thinking I was going to purchase the Kia Sportage but ended up buying the Kia SOUL. This vehicle was in the price range I was looking to spend. LOVE, LOVE the vehicle so far.

• 

  Great Kia Sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Joncab5 - March 11 - 1:50 pm

  I cant believe I own a Kia Sorento, but I do. It is Made in the USA (Georgia) in a brand new plant. It has good fuel economy and nice features. 3rd row seating in the event you need it. I did not want to buy a minivan and I did not want a huge American SUV. The Kia Sorento is the perfect solution, especially the price is great too. I am not a snob, but I have only owned MBZ, Porsche, Lexus, and Toyota in the past. Kia is very new for me, but so far, so good. Great value for the money. Just go buy one, dont be shy, gets better gas mileage than most vehicles in its class.

• 

  Comfort in a small box! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Mottman - March 11 - 1:13 pm

  I purchased a silver 2010 Kia Soul + about three weeks ago. I have been very pleased thus far; I did much research before buying it and this best met all my desired criteria. Head and leg space is great and ease of entry/exit is good, even for my 65" brother-in-law. Fuel mileage is pretty nice, in the high 20s. It has a lot of options for the price, including MP3 and Bluetooth. I got the optional Audio upgrade and it makes for a great sound system. It even looks nicer than the other "mini-boxes." Cant really comment on reliability or cost of upkeep this early, but so far I am very pleased with this car. Would recommend to others.

• 

  Left Pull - Update after talking to Kia - 2011 Kia Optima
  By jfogs - March 11 - 10:23 am

  So apparently after placing a complaint to Kia I was informed that there is nothing that they can do with regards to the left pull issue. My customer service Rep Randy informed me that "this is the way the car was built" and that there is nothing they could do. So my question was "So you are telling me that the car was built to change lanes by itself creating a danger to me and my family?" Needless to say I really didnt get an answer. IWas considering getting a Kia Sorrento for my wife. I will NEVER buy another Kia product again and am kicking myself for taking a chance on this brand. I was also told to investigate the lemon law. Now that is customer service for you! Kia is laughable.

• 

  Pleasantly surprised - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By texassportage - March 11 - 10:03 am

  I used Edmunds and other websites to research my compact SUV purchase and my final four were the: CR-V, Sportage, RAV4, and Tucson. My wife has a Kia already so it was the first place we went. I was so impressed with the drive of this vehicle that we didnt even bother test driving anything else. This car was already the best "deal" and the fact that it drove well, was comfortable, fun, and the perfect size for us now...and in the future (there are clasps for child safety seats on all three back seats) made it the right car for us. I am really impressed with its power too. It used to be considered a toy car - but I would recommend this SUV to anyone who wants a little more room.