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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  I love my Sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By philm - December 5 - 9:33 pm

  After driving two Explorers for the past nine years, it was time for a change. Dollar for dollar the Sorento puts the Explorer to shame. Although I would like for the MPG to be better, overall I could not be happier. Style, comfort, options, warranty, price, the Sorento has the competition beat hands down. If youre looking for an SUV, I would seriously consider a Sorento.

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  Used 2004 Kia LX V6 - 2004 Kia Optima
  By s4templeton - December 5 - 7:50 pm

  I used to have a Civic so the V6 is a lot of power for me and I love it. Gas mileage has been 27 with mixed but mostly highway driving. I like this car a lot because of the price. If it holds up, I feel its a great car for the price. Everything Ive read says the Kia is quality and shouldnt fall apart on me. V6 is quiet compared to our 4 cylinder Spectra and as a young couple we feel like weve bought an adult car. The best selling point is the price. I bought used for $10,300 with 24,500 miles on it. Reliability is yet to be seen.

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  New Owner - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By C R Earley - December 5 - 6:30 pm

  Very impressive acceleration from a standing start. After reaching cruise speeds the engine seems flat and slow to increase higher speeds in high gear, but even at 65 & 70 the ability to down shift is still there to gain power for passing. The braking is good for a vehicle of its size. They are a proper match for the vehicles power. The ride seemed harsh, and noisy over road bumps. A quick check of the tire pressure solved that. Kia is notorious for over inflating the tires. The tires had from 42 to 44 PSI from the lot. A drop to 34 PSI still gives a crisp feel to the handling along with a much improved ride. The gas mileage is pretty much as stated. Even with a heavy foot gets 21 MPG.

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  Filling a niche - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Roger - December 5 - 12:06 pm

  Excellent combination of size and versatility. We have a family of 6 and wanted to carry all 4 kids if we needed to (other vehicle is a larger Pathfinder). Very surprised by the amount of shoulder room throughout the car. Fit and finish at this price range is excellent. Just got out of a minivan and really like the lower to the ground feeling of being in this car. Excellent visibility while driving. Just plain cute!

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  A Great car - 2006 Kia Rio
  By BHunter - December 4 - 9:23 pm

  My first car I ever bought and I love it to death. Im in the process of trying to upgrade it as far as performance and found a few things. But its still a new car so theres not much out there for now. But its still a great car through and through.

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  Great value in an SUV - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Mike - December 4 - 5:34 pm

  Great ride, very quiet. Handling is good but if quick acceleration is your thing go for the v6. The vehicle has the feel inside of a much more expensive car and you can really tell it when you shut the door- very quiet. This car has the best warranty in the business and the overall impression of this vehicle is very positive.

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  LOVE IT!!!! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Bonnie - December 4 - 1:06 pm

  I just got out of college and this is the first car that i bought on my own. I LOVE IT!!! It rides great and i have taken it on many 4 to 5 hour trips. It has alot of features that i didnt expect from a kia and the exterior design is great. I feel like its kind of a luxury car without the price. I did take it in for the charger lighter wasnt working but they fixed it right away no charge. Great gas mileage, and it is just a smooth ride.

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  Very poor quality - 2009 Kia Rio
  By Randy Mizer - December 4 - 6:56 am

  We have now had two major break downs in 8000 miles. One new transmission and one new front axle .My wife drives the car and has never drove it hard.I will never buy an other KIA , wish I hadnt bought this one.

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  Uses no oil, cant tell you where the oil leak is - 2016 Kia Soul EV
  By Jorze - December 4 - 1:16 am

  A few days after taking our Soul home, we noticed some clear oily liquid all over the area that we were using to park our KIA. Prior to taking our car in, we contacted our dealer who told us that it was impossible since the Soul-ev did not use any oil. We took the car in and they were stumped, they asked that we leave the car in for a few days to evaluate the situation. It has now been in the agency for five (5) days and when we called to check today, we were told that the car had a leak of some sort and they did not know from where, seriously guys, what a laugh that was. My wife agreed to wait for a call back and we are still waiting. Meanwhile my beautiful paved stone driveway has oil damage to it and my car is still in the shop, Three (3) stars for reliability is all I can give it. Obtaining parts can take for ever, dealers favorite saying is "we will have to order the part from Korea"

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  bad apple - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By cindy ingram - December 3 - 9:20 pm

  I have had my Sorento for almost two years and at first I loved it but after my first service it started hesitating at steady speeds or slowing down. They cant fix it because they only hook it up to a machine that tells them what is wrong and it shows nothing so they keep sending me home with the problem. I have learned a lesson about KIAs and that is to run as far away as you can get from them. They are junk. I know things happen with vehicles but normally you can get them repaired. I hate it. If you buy one you better beware because they are not worth anything when you try to trade them in.