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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  Its a Kia... - 2008 Kia Rio
  By Dreamorpheus - August 12 - 9:26 pm

  Within the first year of owning the car, both front wheel-bearings went out. Twice each. Needs an O/D or 6th gear, MPG dwindles at highway speeds. The interior is rather gray, bout four different shades of gray, makes your soul sad. Have a issue with the driver- side window crank; keep smacking my knee on it, knocking off the knob. You also cant really sleep in the hatch, bit cramped, and the floors not flat. As unpleasing, and some times annoying this all may be, its still a good little car. Its a grate car to buy new, by the end of the warranty you can just throw it away. It handles like a go-cart, gets good MPG in town, CHEAP, and they fix almost anything for the life of the car.

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  My wife and I love this car - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By corkya - August 12 - 6:59 am

  We checked 6 different vehicles in this class before we purchased in April of 2013. Sorento had the best features for the price. Great ride. Little or no road noise. Acceleration is all we need. Handling is good. I am impressed with the breaking ability. The 6-speed trans sometimes downshifts more often than we are used to. We have the 7 pass and have not sat in the way back but mid seat is comfortable and roomy. Engine noise is a bit much on heavy acceleration as were all vehicles we tested. Cargo space with third seat down was good. Just took a trip with three adults w/luggage and a 50 qt(?) cooler. No problems and plenty of space. Exterior looks like many other brands. Ho hum.

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  The Sorento. - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By luvtoyota10 - August 11 - 9:19 pm

  I Inherited this car from My Aunt who Died in October, she got it new and she loved it and I love it now. It is very fun to drive for a crossover and handles great in the snow even with the factory tires. Gas mileage isnt that good but its winter, I am averaging 20 mpg. I like the Dark Cherry exterior as well. The Heated seats are a great value from the convenience package. The ride may be harsh but its not terrible. The interior is pretty quiet too, almost like my 2013 Toyota Highlander. The steering is better than the Highlanders too.

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  2005instyle - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By bankrchik - August 11 - 8:40 am

  I just purchased my Kia Sportage, I absolutely love it. Of course I have not had the vehicle long enough to encounter any problems, but I feel confident with the warranty attached to this vehicle I should be driving in style for many years to come.

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  sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By fran - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Im very pleased with my 2003 sorento, I wish Kia had come along 2 years ago in the united states

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  Surprised - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By milesap - August 10 - 11:10 pm

  Let me just say this car was purchased for my wife who is a small person with severe arthritis in the knees. The Rondo was the only car that she could easily get in and out of. Unlike SUVs and sedans where you either have to climb up and in or climb out of. Not this car slide in slide out and the six inch wider space for its class clinched the purchase. Now I have owned this car for 18 months and four trips to Fl 20 hours each way and can safely say this baby is a sound and reliable puppy not a glitch. I have degenerative disc disease in the lower back and I have no problem of or discomfort when the boss lady lets me drive the car.

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  best car Ive owned - 2010 Kia Soul
  By huser20 - August 10 - 6:38 am

  I bought my car with 5 miles on it and Ive owned it for 3.5 years now...42,000 miles on it now and Ive never had one thing wrong with it. Best car Ive owned and I truly dont have one complaint. Just do regular maintenance youre good to go!!

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  Great Ride - 2003 Kia Optima
  By bozpop - August 9 - 8:53 pm

  At 190000 miles has been a great reliable car. Standard maintenance and very regular oil changes. Today will buy 4th set of tires. Get 25-26 MPG mainly freeway driving.

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  Spectra 2009 EX Sedan - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By Tony Salvatore - August 8 - 9:33 pm

  Car was bought used on lease return to dealer. Low mileage and "like new." Used primarily to commute to work and local/light out-of-town job travel. So far averages about 28 MPG. Vehicle handles well, very responsive, and perky. No problem merging into fast freway traffic or running 2-3 hours at turnpike speeds. Havent tried it in snow but it is okay in torrential rains. Looked at same year Civics, Sentras, and Focuses (I like sub- compacts). Spectra offered best balance of price, features, and low mileage.

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  smooth sportage - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By clive480 - August 8 - 8:38 pm

  go for the auto, super smooth changes and you get the ECO mode. got rid of the jeep liberty (20 mpg)and now average just under 40. good interior space. im 6 and can easily fit behind the drivers seat when its in its position for me. wider than the previous model and so quiet. would recommend a test drive to anyone