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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  Great Job KIA - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By KIT79 - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Little compared to a Pathfinder or Escalade, etc (4x4 World), but overall fun and easy to drive and dart around town. Simple to park too. A bit plain in appearance but stylish enough to be modern. The warrenty cant be beat. The total package is cheaper then the competition (cmon Leather, all time 4WD, even Radio Controls for crying out loud!). Safety is a factor, 6 air bags ensure it! I have to put a 5 in Build Quality and Reliability, with it being new I cant honestly judge it. Yet. Not bad for a Korean manufacture, now if only my Samsung TV was just as solid.

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  Rusting - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By biggydee - December 23 - 7:42 am

  My fully loaded Sorento has been in several times since purchasing in November 2010. Two recalls, and one visit to fix the pull to the right. There is a constant squeek in the drivers seat. The Stereo cuts in and out. The ride is brutal. Everything in the truck rattles due to the harsh ride. I was disappointed to find out that the suspension was upgraded in the fourth quarter last year on all 2011 Kia Sorentos. Imagine my anger to discover that the tailgate is bubbling and has started to rust above the chrome strip. The dealership has decided to repaint it! You pay $43,000 for a vehicle and they are going to repaint it? Frustrating and upsetting.

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  LOVE my New Car - 2011 Kia Forte
  By waters3 - December 22 - 6:10 pm

  I purchased a used 2011 Kia Forte. I didnt want a new car Note so I decided to get a used vehicle... I Love my Vehicle. It is the first time I have driven a small vehicle in a very long time... My previous vehicle was a durango. I am getting use to the smaller size but the ride is ok, I love the interior design. I love the gas milage.

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  This is one happy KIA Sportage Owner - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By KIA on the Gulf - December 22 - 5:06 pm

  I was nicely surprised at the options that came on my Sportage... the leather package, heater seats, etc. Ive ridden in Honda CRVs where you feel a dime when you run over it. Not this vehicle. The ride is very smooth in-town and on an interstate. I am extremely happy with this purchase.

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  Sold on Kia! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Scotty - December 22 - 2:40 pm

  I found the Sorento to be very solid and smooth on the road. The controls are easy to reach and well laid out. I bought it for my wife and she loves it. Not too high, but high enough..not too big, but big enough. Its great! Within the price range, it has the most features, the longest warranty and looks the best of all of the other vehicles that we looked at. Coming out of a steep turn requires more manual input to straighten out than other cars I have owned. Its not bad, but noticeable. It is a little rough over bumps and rough roads, but not as bad as some, like the 05 Jeep Liberty that we looked at was worse. We like the tight suspension. This is our first Kia, but not our last!

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  Disgusted - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Tony - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Do not believe any favorable since they must be written by all of the useless salesmen who cannot sell the Kia Brand. Tires horrible, front end struts and steering arm, water sloshing, bad paint job, rear end noise. Never again. Buying Chevrolet.

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  Great on Gas; Fun to Drive - 2010 Kia Sportage
  By Mike - December 21 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd Sportage. The first one was so good. I decided to get another. The 140 hp 4 cylinder 2 wheel drive provides all the power you need plus 22+ average mpg! IT handles great in the snow, and rain, and visibility it amazing, the wipers clear about 95% of the glass. I highly recommend the Sportage to anyone.

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  5.5 Months since Purchase - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Jason - December 21 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the Optima LX (4cyl) with 45,100 miles. I have 52,000 now. Its been mostly back and forth to work (16 miles each way) and one trip to Michigan which was 1,000. On the trip I averaged 33 mpg with the AC running. I think the car is made solid. People have told me Kias are reliable, we will see I have a 5 yr loan on it. I have an issue with the dome light coming on by itself, which temporarily I fixed by removing the light bulb. Handles nice, acceleration is awesome (esp in manual mode), braking is good (only had to stomp the pedal once).

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  Blown engine issue and transmission - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Victor vega - December 20 - 1:37 pm

  The 2012 Kia Optima ex GDI is a sexy looking car comfortable luxury but when I was driving on the free way at 70 mph in the fast lane the engine unexpectally turned off I thought I was going to get in a accident or die on that free way the dealership told me your engine is hurting bad and your entire engine needs to be replaced I just got a fresh good synthetic motor oil change it was fine driving but till this happens I miss work I was stuck with my car for 10 hours till I found the number to call the free Kia towing road side assistance by my warranty my Kia has 47,000 miles when it died and I just received it from car max I thought this was a very reliable car I guess not and how can I maintain the transmission since its not serviceable ? If this new engine seizes again Im sueing Kia no exceptions and I have my laywer waiting for me to say the word also Kia has poor engines and transmissions only good things are good body and luxury confort thats it.

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  first 500 miles - 2011 Kia Forte
  By walt35 - December 19 - 10:33 pm

  I traded my three year old PT Cruiser... which I would have kept if it had not gotten such awful fuel enonomy.. So I wanted another hatch back. The seating position of the Forte is like a race car .. I have to get used to that and the smaller wheel.. but handling is precise and very fun.. The Korean tires are made with nylon rather than polyester which I think causes too firm a ride at times.. They otherwise handle just fine.. I had to pay a guy to put on painted body side mouldings.. KIA does not offer factory body side mouldings.. that was a small pain ... first tank of gas with mixed driving was 27.. thats good... Overall quite happy so far.