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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  Value-vs-Pre-Conceived value - 2008 Kia Optima
  By bilwhi - December 19 - 1:33 am

  With the exceptions of the following. Hard seats, blind spots, cheesy interior door handles, misleading mpg, it is a great little car. Knownn then what I know now, I would have never traded my overly-dependable 1989 olds 98 that delivered a honest 31 mpg & more comfort & mpg than Kia ever thought possible. Bottom line is like the car but I loved my olds!

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  2007 Kia Rondo LX - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Bill F - December 19 - 1:00 am

  I was originally going to buy a new Toyota RAV4 until I drove the new Rondo. The KIA was far more vehicle for the money. The Rondo has more features that count as standard equipment than the RAV4, such as a rear climate control duct for heating and AC. Build quality and design were equal to Toyotas RAV4 and the warranties far exceeded any of the Japanese manufacturers (5 yrs/60K basic and 10 yrs/100K drive train).

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  First Kia - very impressed - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Lynda G - December 18 - 2:23 am

  We are Hyundai people and this is our first Kia product. Needed something with room for camping and great gas mileage. I drive 800 miles per week for my job. During the first 3,000 miles this Sorento was getting between 23-24 mpg. Im now at 9,000 miles and getting 27-28 mpg. The ride felt a little stiff at first but is now feeling settled and Im enjoying this vehicle very much. I will review again at 20,000 miles and let you know what is happening! Go Kia!

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  Great Value - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Gabriel - December 16 - 8:10 pm

  We have had the Sedona for 2 years now and so far so good. It has proven very reliable and very comfortable. This is a large minivan and with the seats folded it can carry an impressive amount of cargo. I moved recently and was able to put my sofa in the van with no problems. The only complaints are the fuel mileage and some of the plastic interior parts are on the cheap side. Another major drawback is the steep depreciation on this minivan. However, this is not something Kia can directly control Having said that, the standard equipment is quite extensive, especially the safety features.

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  gsx - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By gsxpress - December 16 - 10:00 am

  I am extremely pleased with my KIA Spectra, The car performes well and is a nice sports car with only minor adjustments. the car has nice styling and many people do not relize it is a 4 door when they first see it. This car gives the performance of a two door with the practicality of a 4 door.

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  Ran great for 2 years and now problems - 2012 Kia Optima
  By yogi111 - December 16 - 4:26 am

  For the most part I love this car. If I keep it at 80 or under on the freeway it can get 31-33 mpg. City mpg around 22. The battery died one month after the warranty expired and my fuel pump just went out...luckily I got it to the shop before I was stranded and it is still under warranty.

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  POOR GAS MILEAGE - 2013 Kia Optima
  By sedum - December 15 - 9:04 pm

  the best gas mileage I get is 18 city and 27 on a trip. the company and the dealer (courtesy kia Altoona pa) will do nothing. I would never buy another kia.

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  engine light--Vapor leak!! - 2011 Kia Optima
  By jm1522 - December 15 - 8:29 pm

  We bought a brand fresh out of the factory 2011 Optima, which had to be returned to the dealership after 500miles for the engine light. The service department said that the car had a faulty gas cap and make sure that we DO NOT top off at the gas pump. 200miles after the engine light was reset it came back on again. This car has been into the dealership 5times for the engine light, each time the service dept says it is a vapor leak!! If a car has been returned 5times for the same issue, apparently there is a real problem and just turning off the engine light DOES NOT fix the problem.

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  As good as a Camry? - 2006 Kia Optima
  By former PT cruiser - December 15 - 6:40 pm

  i bought the 2006.5 4 cylinder LX with 5 speed auto-stick. Listed for $18,500, out the door price was $16,000 after rebates and discounts.

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  A great vehicle - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By Andy - December 15 - 1:16 pm

  This is a great vehicle, really fun to drive on road or off. We upgraded from a RAV4 (too small) and werent disappointed. Fuel economy improved greatly after a few long highway rides, and the rear fold down seats give lots of storage space for skis, dogs, groceries etc. It handles well in all road conditions, has a really comfortable ride for all passengers, and there is lots of room in the 3rd row seats for adults. Weve had a few minor problems - door open sensor, a NOC sensor, programmable seat button doesnt work for position 2 but thats it. My only concern is that I have yet to see any other Borregos on the road - I know they are out there somewhere, ill just keep looking....