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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  A good buy with a few flaws - 2012 Kia Optima
  By upacrk1 - October 26 - 9:16 pm

  I bought a new 2012 Kia Optima LX in Snow White Pearl back in May 2012. Originally I had an issue with the drivers seat not being very comfortable. (I didnt notice this in the short test drive.) In the 9 months Ive owned it, my butt seems to have gotten used to it. The acceleration is great! So good that if the roads are slick, I have to put it in ECO mode so the tires dont slip. This may also says something about the OEM Nexen tires. I havent been driving much so far- only 4700 miles. (Try to walk/bike as much as I can). MPG per tank is 22-27 with an avg 24.5 . As expected, mileage is lower in the cold winter months. No long trips yet - cant wait to see what Ill get then!

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  Mixed Reviews on the Soul + - 2012 Kia Soul
  By kunadave - October 26 - 7:39 pm

  I have a mixed review of the 2012 Kia Soul. The positive points are that the car was inexpensive to buy, very space efficient and produces excellent fuel economy. I have a handicapped girlfriend and the seat is the right height for her to slide out of her scooter and into the seat. I can also fold the scooter and fit it into the back. This is good. The fuel economy guide tells me that the car is rated at 27/35 mpg. I only use this car for commuting 20-miles each way. My fuel economy average has always between 32 and 34 mpg in normal urban driving. This too is good. The negatives are that the car has really annoying characteristics. The key fob is too big to fit into my pants pocket without leaving a bulge. I tried to find a normal key just to open the door but goofy Kia changed the size of the key blank (for 2012). I can’t find a locksmith with the right size anyway. The car also turns off the radio and then yells at me to coordinate my cell phone with its Bluetooth system. My phone is too old to for bluetooth so I get yelled at twice a week forever? The car probably learned to yell from Kia Customer Service people; they yell too. The car has no spare tire but it does have an emergency inflator. I live at the end of civilization in Idaho and there is often no cell phone service when I go fishing/hunting. I can’t be sure that I can get roadside assistance if the car has a flat outside the cell phone service area. And I have to carry a cell phone? I would think that adding a spare tire is cheaper than paying the crabby customer service people. Overall, the car is very good at what it does; efficiently moving people at low cost. It is just so annoying in operation that I will not buy a Kia again. I’ll buy another new full-sized pickup and pay the extra fuel costs with the money I save from the truck’s lower purchase cost and lower insurance cost Kuna Dave

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  no regrets - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By eyez - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE A VOYAGER, I LIKE THE SEDONA ALOT BETTER

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  gooooood - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By jaymartin - October 25 - 2:00 am

  the car runs well in the one month of purches. im very happy so for THE ONLY THING IS THAT MY WINDOW SEALS LEAK ON THE CAR WHEN WASHING

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  Excellent Value - 2010 Kia Optima
  By DD - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Here at the end of 2010, the 2010 model optima is a great deal. The options you can get for your money on an ex or sx blow the Toyota/Honda competition away. The only close competitor price wise was the Malibu, which was also discounted. The optima has the Malibu beat in most regards in my opinion. Gas mileage is good, Im getting 24-25 mpg in the city around la and Im not an easy driver. On the highway, if I try I can push around 35 mpg. The 4 cylinder has plenty of power, more than most of its competition. Interior is great. Exterior looks really sharp, better than Hyundais and I like over the Camry and Accord.

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  kia sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By cindy place - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I traded from a Nissan Pathfinder. I love the ride and gas mileage (23mpg) on average. The bluetooth is unreliable for voice recognition. I have yet to be successful with downloading my I-Pod. It says "USB" empty. I had one experience while backing down a hill in reverse, after breaking, the vehicle acted as though it was in park, but would not accelerate. After several attempts at reverse I put it in drive, drove back up the hill, then it would go into reverse. Not sure what this issue is. I plan to contact service tomorrow. I have the 7 passenger vehicle. Overall I am very pleased with this vehicle.

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  Koup sx 2 dr 2010 year - 2010 Kia Forte
  By D Hardison - October 24 - 4:26 am

  Bought this car for my son only had a few days but fun to drive lots of power with the sx good safety loaded features and a great looking car no problems so far good car for the money. sx is the way to go i read up and would not buy the lx or ex. seems to be well built. 2010 year modle SX

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  Not bad at all - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Chelsea - October 22 - 9:46 am

  Ive recently purchased my kia after my nissan gave out. It drives great for me but I have noticed that when i am stopping, it sometimes feels like rippling. The drive is smooth other than that on. The take off isnt great but for a car that will be used between my old car and when i get a brand new one one day, its great. Great fit for my small family.

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  Make fun if you want, but its a good car - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Gifted1388 - October 21 - 8:46 pm

  My friends like to pick on my little car, but it is perfect for zipping down the roads. Put a CD player in there and now I am jamming. Learning to drive a 5- speed as my first car was an experience but now I can take off fast and it impresses people that girls can drive a stick!

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  Falling apart - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Da Skipper - October 20 - 10:00 am

  I got the car for good gas milage. Thats all Im getting. Two year old car with only 33,000 is falling apart. Having troubles with breaks, interior trim falling off, extreme wind noise, and not the factory radio has died. Service dept. at dealer I purchased it from is totally worthless and I refuse to return to them.