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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  Optimal Optima Follow-up - 2011 Kia Optima
  By rockinrn - November 4 - 4:54 pm

  This is a follow-up review to my 12/12/10 review. Just drove the Optima to California from Arizona in March 2011. I was astounded by the road roar the car makes at 70 MPH on the freeway. The noise is so loud it is impossible to make a cell phone call and the radio had to be turned way up to drown out some of the noise. I feel that the low rent Nexus tires are to blame. Many, many good features on the car, just extreme road and wind noise on the highway. Before buying one take it on the freeway for a while at 70 MPH and evaluate the ROAD NOISE.

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  Kia Good and Bad - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Elmer Wood - November 3 - 10:00 am

  My only complaints is the paint is thin and scratches just looking at it-----It shimmies at 60-65 and cant be fixed

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  Lots of kit for less dollars - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Good value - November 3 - 10:00 am

  havent had my Spectra long but Im satisfied with it. The engine provides reasonable power but the automatic transmission could shift smoother. Good cabin materials and nice exterior. Some might have trouble finding a fully loaded model however.

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  Happy - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By snowie2day - November 1 - 1:40 pm

  I bought my Kia as a college student and was very happy all 7 years I owned the car. Though I am not in the market for another compact car I would and have recommended my Kia to my friends and family.

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  Happy Man - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By happyman - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I love this vehicle. 1999 Model Year. Bought it w/42,000 miles. Found that Prv owner brought it in for an electrical issue when doing lemon check, but no other issues. Fun to drive. Cant wait to take its top off!! These vehicles are hard to find used.

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  Suspension rattle - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By fxp2 - October 28 - 9:33 am

  I just talked to a Kia rep for consumers affairs and explained to her that I thought the suspension is too hard and rattles in the back. After reviewing other reviews I realized this is the number one concern of most people. In addition, the tires are way too hard and do not help the suspension system. So far, the rest is ok.

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  Good Car - Bad Dealer - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By mrstan - October 26 - 2:26 pm

  My tire pressure sensor system did not work for 5000 miles after I bought this car. This car is an excellent car with power and excellent gas economy (rare combination indeed). The dealership really did suck though. There was a graduate incentive, and this was not followed up on by the dealer. Lost my 500.00.

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  Love my Kia! - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By kiersten565 - October 20 - 9:58 pm

  Ive been driving my Kia for almost four years now, it was used as my dads commuter car. I now have 220,000 miles on it and still going strong! Tires have been replaced, along with a new fuel filter and occasional oil changes and tire rotations but nothing major. I put almost 100 miles on it a day and it has great gas mileage. Im so surprised at how long its lasted for me. I will be very sad the day it gives up!

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  Nizzies - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Phiedens - October 20 - 10:00 am

  I have a sportage EX 4wd I used to have an Jeep Cherokee, and I like the sportage better. Does surprisingly well off road. Great interior. Good sound system. Has turned out to be very reliable. Best warranty youll get. Good visibility. Poor power, could have a little more room. Great mileage

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  My Sedona - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Orlando Casados - October 20 - 10:00 am

  I find my KIA a little heavy to drive and the turning radius too wide other than that I enjoy driving the vehicle, Its more than I expected, the Koreans did a good job. Id buy another. It is not a Oddessy But it is about $14,000 cheaper. GREAT vehicle