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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  Would make a few minor changes. - 2009 Kia Rondo
  By LucidAnn - November 3 - 7:20 pm

  I gave up a SUV with lots of bells and whistles for this car. We wanted 3rd row seating, to use occasionally, but we didnt want a large van or gas hog. I may have some complaints about this car but it is mostly because I am comparing to my previous vehicle.

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  Problem with the Onboard Navigation System - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By bandrews6264 - November 2 - 6:15 am

  Here is my story: I have leased a 2011 KIA Sorrento (February 2011) from Tempe KIA [violative content deleted] and have found a problem with the internal navigation system. I have come to find out that the system is only programmed for using freeways and not recognizing quicker routes. Case in point: I went Las Vegas about two weeks ago and entered my destination into the onboard nav system. The nav system tried to take me to Flagstaff to connect with I-40 (142 plus, unnecessary miles) instead of directing me to US93, a much faster route. On the way home the onboard nav system again tried to route me through Flagstaff instead of US93 through Wickenburg. KIA refuses to anything about this. Buyer beware

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  So far,so good - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By No4Mk1 - October 27 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a new Spectra. First new car I have ever owned (was about time). So far, so good. Gas mileage has been consistently around 30mpg. Shifts very smoothly. I have now put nearly 3000 miles on it. Looks like itll need a set of studded tires for the winter. Enough room for my kids in the back - better than a Rio.

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  so far so good! - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By natalio hanna - October 27 - 10:00 am

  great mini van. for sure better than any american built. dont compare with hondas or nissans. but they dont have nearly as good a warrenty

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  needs outside temp. gauge.. - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By blomquist - October 27 - 10:00 am

  I really love my KIA sorento.. I only have a few complaints. On a suv this loaded, I cant believe that there is no outside temp. gauge. I also think the key needs to come into the new millenium. Make the key and remote one piece. Such as the audi/VW. I am a former vw owner and i loved that key combo.. Overall I really love my sorento..Time will tell..:)

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  first time kia owner - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By royalray - October 26 - 9:56 am

  good product for the money. a few sounds and clicks from underneath the passenger side when stopped at a light, like a solenoid clicking on and off. esc and downhill light came on and froze the transmission and caused vehicle to drag on two separate incidents , had to turn engine off to shift gears. kia service said contacts needed to be tightened on both occasions. Computer detected a stability problem when non existed... 1,000 miles later all is well. Infinity radio not the best sound quality and only takes one CD

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  Lousy ride & quality - 2008 Kia Amanti
  By herb45 - October 23 - 12:53 am

  I totally love this car on a trip, but take it in the city, and the ride is harsh & lumpy, to say the least. The dash rattles are everywhere at this point, so I just turn up the stereo. The hwy mileage is very good. The brakes are terrible, and the transmission lurches when cold !

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  Good Local Commuter Car - 2003 Kia Rio
  By MIKE - October 19 - 3:56 pm

  Have presently 72,000 miles on a 2003 Rio sedan automatic. Gets 35 mpg at 70 - 75 and a/c on. Changed tires at 62,000 miles and went with a 195 series instead of the 165 it came with. Ride is definitely better. Change oil every 5,000 miles. Changed timing belt at 58,000 miles. Problems: front exterior door handles have fallen off at 50,000. Dealer took care of problem immediately. Had air bags deploy at a very low impact. 3 mph. Zero damage to car, hit car in front who didnt go at stop sign. $2,000 for front pair of air bags and front seat belts replaced. Still love car. Would buy another.

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  Great Start...a few nitpicks - 2011 Kia Optima
  By flip00 - October 19 - 3:22 am

  Wow, Kia hit a home-run with the new Optima. Researched and then drove all the competitors in both 4 and 6 cylinder high end versions, and the Optima hands down was superior. had to wait almost 3 months to get mine, I had really just wanted an EX with the premium package...love those cooled seats in the hot El Paso sun, but have not regretted the SX. Have not experienced the pull to the left, and the car is as quiet as my former Accord EX-L on the road. A few quality issues with the sunglass holder and mood lighting not functioning on the passenger door and I do get have the rattle from the sunroof. getting an average of 24-28 in mixed driving in part due to elevation Would buy again!

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  A great value... - 2003 Kia Optima
  By bulldog485 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  We decided to look at the Kia Optima along with everything from the Olds Alero, Toyota Camery, Ford Taurus and a whole slew of others. The Kia Optima SE V6 won hands down for both the price, the features that came standard and the warranty. The same car in a Toyota Camery would cost about $5,000 more and I liked the exterior lines of the Optima. With four months and 7,000 miles on the clock, we are still happy with our purchase and I fully plan to have the car past its warranty. My personal goal is to have this car past 150,000 miles and from what I see so far, I will... Good car for the money.