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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  Drive a new Kia Optima - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Silky - April 6 - 10:40 pm

  I purchased this new 2006 Kia Optima LX 2.4L three weeks ago and drove it to Alabama and back to Colorado. The drive was great. I averaged around 28 MPG. The car is much more comfortable than the 03 Kia Spectra I traded in for this new one. My wife was surprised when I drove up in this new Optima. She didnt know for two weeks that I had purchased this new car. She wanted something that was comfortable. This vehicle is very comfortable. Im happy with this 06 Optima and I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  Things you should know about the 2011 Sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By sadme2013 - April 6 - 6:35 pm

  Let me start by saying it has great gas mileage and plenty of room. The last year(2nd year of ownership) has been very frustrating. I drove it off the lot new. Folding back seats have been a major issue on never working right and breaking. It took over a week to get parts to fix seat from Manufacuture. Starting seems to be a problem-starter replaced and original battery.

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  2004 kia optima lx v6!!!! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By AHartman90 - April 6 - 4:50 pm

  I got my kia in April 2009 I have had no problems with it so far it is a realy Nice car I put a high flow intake and a cherry bomb in it and it gave me a little better performance... The head lights keep going out but thats it with problems. I didnt like kias befor I got this on I have about 180-185 and 140-145 foot lbs of torque! I highly recommend the 2004 kia optima for anyone!

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  Live and learn - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By David Shelton - April 6 - 4:53 am

  Due to the great warranty and price with options we decided to take a chance on a Kia vehicle even though we knew about the not so good re-sale value. The vehicle has 60000 miles on it. The vehicle performed fine until about 45000 miles. After 6 visits to the dealership the air conditioner was finally fixed. At about 58000 miles the power lift gate stopped working and was fixed. I have replaced two fog lights and one head light bulb and now the tv has quit working. Everything was under warranty except the bulbs and tv. After contacting Kia about the tv, which would cost $1100 to replace, I was told I was out of luck. The bulbs lift gate and tv all went out within two weeks.

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  I like my rio but want to sell it - 2001 Kia Rio
  By bo bo - April 5 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive if you like to drive a go cart .It has been relly cheap to maintian and have had no problems .The only reason for the average rating is it is CHEAP CAR CHEAP TO DRIVE. gets you around thats it.Really I love to drive it I just would like to look better in a BMW

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  What a Disapointment!! (Did not purchase!!) - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Dick Parker - April 4 - 12:07 pm

  Test drove this vehicle today with my wife as she is looking to replace our 2001 Honda CR-V SE. Dealer did not have the lower priced model we wished to drive (SX V-6), so we test drove the SX V-6 which listed at $40+k. Less then 5 minutes into the test drive in a 55 mph zone at 55, my wife said take it back. The wind noise was terrible!! And worse than in our 16 year old 97000 mile CR-V. The salesperson was polite and courteous; the vehicle was well appointed, great instrumentation, handled, rode, and drove well, and was well finished, but for their top of the line model, the wind noise was totally unacceptable. We buy our automobiles carefully and plan for them to last. Current daily drivers are the 2001 Honda CR-V and a 2002 Lexus LS430. My hearing is impaired due to firing black powder long guns without proper ear protection, but the wind noise bothered me as much as it did my wife. Prior test drives within the past couple of weeks have included both the 2016 Toyota Highlander and the 2015 Honda CR-V; both of which had no significant wind noise at 60+ mph and were well appointed. My low ratings are due to the unacceptability of the wind noise knowing that over the time we would own this car, it would not improve. Would not recommend if wind noise bothers you.

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  My best decision - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Suhail Sood - April 3 - 9:30 pm

  I bought it used with 67,948 miles on it. Replaced transmission fluid and stock Infinity stereo with pioneer DEH- 2200UB and boom it sounds great with stock speakers and tweeters. Engine goes silent after 5 minutes of drive. I get about 23-27 mpg on regular commute. My Optima has California state emissions and dont have to worry about timing belt change until 105,000 miles Last time it averaged 30 mpg on my way to philadelphia from pittsburgh, 356 miles on a v6 and 30 mpg, what more do you want?

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  Pleased - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By H W Johnson - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Bought the KIA in Sept of 2010. Originally went for Hyundai, but after road testing both, decided on the KIA. Have never regretted the choice. Good combined mileage ( we have V6) and good performance. Look forward to taking long trip to really appreciate the vehicle.

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  Awesome car for the money - 2014 Kia Optima
  By dumrman - April 2 - 11:13 pm

  This is my wifes driver. We have had several BMYW 7s, Jaguar XJs, and two Audi A6s. At one third the price this thing gives them all a run for the money IMHO. I am a guy that has bought eight new Porsches and i am amazed that Kia can make a car of this quality and deliver it at that price. At this price point, it is definitely the best car out there.

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  A real sleeper - dont tell anyone - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By steve - April 2 - 6:16 pm

  I saw a Sorento last year and wanted it but when I saw the Sportage I was sold just on the outside looks and size. Now that I own one, I see that its a real sleeper. It has great speed and handling; its the SUV that thinks its a sports car, or I drive it like one. I feel very safe when Im driving. Its quiet when the doors are closed to road noise. Its the first luxury car/truck Ive ever owned. I keep finding small key extras. With the 10yr/10k, 5yr roadside, 3yr paint, Ill have this one a long time to come and Im loving it. Ive dressed up my truck and get looks all the time.