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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  Not covered under the great 10yr 100k warranty - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By Doug - January 24 - 5:08 pm

  This car has not been a bad car until the engine light appeared, P2006 is the code, runner control stuck closed. Only way to repair is replace the intake manifold which cost $800 for the part and roughly 4-5hrs labor to accomplish. Oh and this is not covered by the "Great" warranty. Our Sportage has 85k miles we are the first owners bought it with 13 miles on it, 3 years and 10 months in first major repair is not covered under the warranty.... this is why we bought the car to avoid this situation with repair costs early on. I have learned my lesson. Go with the cars that are reliable and have a good reputation i.e. Honda, Toyota. dont trust the 10yr 100k mile warranty it doesnt cover a major component to the engine.

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  Very much worth buying! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Franics - January 24 - 6:46 am

  I have a Kia Sportage 2017 SX AWD which I bought in July 2016. I love it so much!. Fantastic design, comfort, and technology. The safety features help to prevent road accidents. My friends always say they like it too! Until now, I havent had any issues with it, still works nicely. It also has a backup camera but I just wish that the manufacturer included a 360-degree camera to better assist with parking. I compared the features of my Sportage to my friends Honda Civic and Ford Escape and I think the Sportage is better in total. I do not regret buying it.

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  MPG - 2010 Kia Soul
  By kylesplash - January 23 - 7:10 pm

  I own the base, On the highway I can easily hit 37MPG. Great car, have to love getting a vehicle for under 13K

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  What a mess - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By sburdick163 - January 23 - 3:00 am

  I was told by the sales person that my van had the highest safety rating; dont believe it. I had to replace the wheel bearings and brakes. all the steel cooling lines rusted. it overheats for no reason. The steel lines coming from the radiator rusted. The blue book is low; I cant get financing for another vehicle because of low trade-in value.

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  Im glad i own a Kia Optima - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Proud Kiacar owner - January 22 - 12:40 pm

  A general perception with so many appealing ads on TV,people seem to be just convinced with brands like Toyota camry,Honda,Nissan.I have reviewed and test drived all of above but with their brand name,car seems too very expensive.Happened to try a Kia Optima and never had to give it a 2nd thought.With the price,safety features,mileage i rate this very much in par with Toyota honda nissan.Initially when i bought few asked me-Y did u go for a Kia,but whn i took them for a ride they had a different view altogether which made me so proud.classy sharp looks,smooth silent ride,responsive engine. Im glad i own a Gorgeous midnight metallic grey KIA OPTIMA.Mwaaah & a pat well tht goes to my car

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  Still trouble free at 47K - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Tim - January 22 - 7:23 am

  I looked at several vans before buying the Kia - comparable vans were $5-10K more and with less warranty. Ive driven my van 47K in 3 years. Only trips to dealer were a couple of minor recalls and to replace the switch for the power seat recliner. Kia knew this van was a little portly (4800 lbs empty) but I like heavy duty features (HD chassis, aux transmission & oil coolers, dual piston brake calipers). I get 17/24 MPG. Maintenance has been oil changes, tores at 30K, front brakes at 45K. Overall van has been comfortable and reliable.

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  First Car I Bought - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Kasie - January 22 - 7:13 am

  This was the very first I have bought and I must say I have been extremely pleased. I am even considering another Kia for my next car.

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  Never thought - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Scott Oaks - January 21 - 5:38 pm

  Ive had this Kia for a year and a half. Ive never had a issue with it. It is the most comfortable car Ive ever owned. A few years back I never would of purchased a Kia, but since the design change in 2012 they have made a remarkable convergence from one moment a disposable car and now its a car I want to keep until the wheels fall off. The options offer are technically sound and most are offered only by luxury cars at a much higher cost. As a personal note I normally do upgrades wheels, performance enhancing, eco and power. But this car has not needed one, great fuel mileage, excellent handling and power with more to spare. Its a well rounded car.

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  No more Kias - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Kat Kat - January 21 - 11:10 am

  Worst Car ever once I got it I had to take in in after a few months do to the weather guard on the windows being deformed. Tires blow out so fast on this tire its not even funny. If it werent for the great mileage it would have no up side.

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  SAFE CAR! - 2002 Kia Optima
  By Joshua - January 21 - 3:50 am

  I cant speak much of my Kia Optima, I only owned it for less than a month. I will however be more likely to buy another though. I was involved in a severe front end collision. A large pick-up truck ran a stop sign on a country road giving me no time to even brake. I escaped the accident with only severe whiplash and back problems. The doctors said that it could have been so much worse. This is one safe car and I would recommend it to anyone. The whole front end of the car was gone and the roof buckled under the impact, however no part of the interior was altered or harmed me.