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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  Fun to drive with style! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By GMLLC - April 21 - 6:16 am

  Bought for my son as a high school graduation gift. He drove the Cube & xB & the Soul was by far his fave. Great style, fun to drive, very roomy inside & fantastic features standard in this model. Build quality is excellent. Stereo system rocks. Ipod connectivity works great. No complaints so far. Add the great warranty & you have a winner compared to the Nissan or Scion. Got 1.9% APR financing as well as a great deal. Nice job, Kia!

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  a decent car for a decent price - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By b wirsing - April 20 - 3:50 pm

  This vehicle drives better than a Corolla, Honda, and any other import car. It is as spacious as a van or SUV yet gets killer gas mileage and fits in those hard to get places. I am 6 foot and 230 pounds and took this thing camping; folded the seats back and was able to sleep comfortably in the back. I couldnt believe it. I also got 160 miles on an 1/8 of a tank.

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  Great find - 2008 Kia Sedona
  By Amy - April 19 - 3:13 pm

  After test driving and researching other mini-vans, we found the Kia Sedona to be the best performer and the best value. I gave up my SUV- loving ways and purchased a minivan in preparation for the birth of our first child. I can now safely say that I dont miss my SUV at all! With a baby on the way and two dogs to transport, this van really is the most convenient and fun vehicle I have driven. Great handling and features like the stow away third row seats have made us thrilled with our decision.

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  Better than the Audi I have owned - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By Mike - April 19 - 9:47 am

  First is the cost to run. Regular Gas Vs. Hi test 0.20+@ gallon better Second Serivce done regularly at dealers 1/3 to 1/2 the cost Third Comfort is equal sound system is equal Fourth Insurance is much cheaper

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  Soldier of a car. - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Jsp9890 - April 18 - 7:12 pm

  I bought this car with no choice. Mine was stolen, left with little time I bought a 2005 Spectra EX for $3800. It had 98k miles. That was in 2011. I still own it, with 180k+ and shes magnificent. The little 2.0 has power on the highway, without having to go up high in the powerband. The tall gears in the automatic gearing kill performance, manuals are quicker by far. Mine hits 60 in 8.8 seconds with a 4 speed auto, and shes topped out at 126mph. I guess thats about average. The stereo is surprisingly good with a 120 watt 6 speaker setup, as well as interior materials. I previously owned a Honda and Kia is quite close with their quality. I dont care what ANYONE says, Kias are damn good vehicles.

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  We Got Soul! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By 1hcetih - April 16 - 6:03 pm

  What a ride handles great w/sport suspension a little harsh the ride on very rough rodes. 2litre engine is packed with get up and go from exit ramp to hiway speed 65 is very impressive. The interior seating and overall roomines is excellent. Again Sport suspension has its pluses when cornering Soul is sure footed no body roll around corners @ 45 + mph. VEry well equipped we added LED interior lighting and in rear cargo the factory light is poor we added strip Led lightinging to the left and right side along the upper and lower seam where the rear panels meet. 3k + miles and enjoy driving our Soul everyday. Soul is a Great CUV.

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  I love this econbox that rides like air - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Michael Easton - April 16 - 10:00 am

  No complaints---steering wheel is too ruberry, but wheel cover (9.95) fixed that. Also too plain, but $175.00 wood kit fixed that. Rides like a luxury sedan. Rides nice at 78-90 mph unlike a small car--the gas milage is unbelievable, this car does not know how good it is, for such little money

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  Glad I did it - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Kia in Vermont - April 16 - 10:00 am

  We just drove our Sedona home from the dealer and glad we made the choice to buy one. I traded in a 98 Honda Odyssey with 100,000 miles. Dont get me wrong, Hondas are great, and yes I will miss the magic rear seats(alot) but we researched for a full month, drove all the minivans out there, and for all that we got, plus some, the value was there. We added an entertainment system for the kids which is great! and still thousands less than the new odyssey. This car is chock full of features that you cant find elsewhere for the price. Hope that Kia stands behind all they say, because if they do, this will probably be one of our best car investments yet.

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  Much better than average - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Bestforless - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Overall, a great vechicle to drive. Especially on those long trips. I would recommend the video option if you have kids. Plenty of power, nice looks and regularly get comments asking if i like it and that its one of the better looking minis around.

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  KIA Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Prosecutor - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Great ride. A thinking mans Lexus.