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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  Awesome Price - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By DA_MAXX - August 18 - 4:10 am

  Had a 1996 Kia Sephia. Not impressed. Car shook bad when hit 70 mph. Ive had 02 Honda Civic. This car is as fun and best bang for the buck. Have all the features. EX with A/C, keyless entry, CD, power doors, power windows, etc. Used as commuter 80 miles daily. Fun to drive. Havent seen the advertised highway mileage of 34. Averaging 31. This might be because I drive 75MPH. Great car for the price.

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  Love my KIA Optima!! - 2011 Kia Optima
  By sabz - August 17 - 11:57 am

  It is a great looking car. I get tons of compliments!!! People are always stopping me in parking lots and telling me how nice of a car it is. I love to drive it. However, the other day it would not start. Turns out it had a problem with the brake switch. KIA had it fixed and back to me the same day. Also about 3 months of owning the car, I noticed that the radio screen was scrambled. KIA replaced it under warranty. I would still recommend it!

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  My little bug - 2004 Kia Rio
  By donald roberts - August 15 - 5:33 am

  I think my Kia Rio is a pretty neat, reliable car. If I had a son or daughter Id feel safe in giving it to either of them for a 19th birthday. It has never given me any mechanical problems to deal with and the gas mileage is pretty good too. However, I think I will trade it in on a Toyota Prius at the end of this year, if I dont buy a new home.

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  Have had Forte Sedan EX for about one month. - 2012 Kia Forte
  By martin2013 - August 14 - 12:50 pm

  Ive only had this car for about a month and have really liked it so far. The ease that the majority of functions in this car is nice compared to my previous car. Even though the majority of my driving has been shorter in-city distances, its gas milage has been pretty close to estimated mileage. I will soon see how well the gas mileage does with a long trip.

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  Great Car Overall - 2011 Kia Forte
  By john57110 - August 14 - 5:10 am

  I purchased this vehicle for commuting and as a safe reliable vehicle to pass on to my teenage son. So far I am mostly satisfied with my Forte. It is really comfortable for a small car and it is much quieter than any other small car I have been in. I have the technology package with the nav, backup camera and smartkey. The smartkey is a feature I never knew I wanted, now I cant imagine not having it. I am very pleased with the way this car drives on ice and snow due to the stability and traction control. My only real complaint is the fuel economy. I currently average 28 mpg, mostly highway driving and was really expecting it to be better. Overall I am satisfied and think its a good value.

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  Kia should be sued for lying about mpgs! - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By kialies1 - August 14 - 2:07 am

  While the Sorento is comfortable, quiet, quick, and well appointed, the poor gas mileage is a deal breaker! If we had known what it was going to get, which is about 23mpgs at best on highway, we never wouldve bought it. The number they gave at the dealership was 32mpg, which now, after being sued, they have adjusted to 30, which puts the Sorento below competitors instead of ahead. But we cant even get close to 30 ever!! Our Volvo gets exactly what it says on the sticker no matter the driving conditions. Dont be fooled! If you want it for other reasons, go ahead. But dont think they are competitive with Honda, Toyota, or others in this class. They continue to lie. It seems criminal.

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  Byron - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Byron - August 13 - 7:36 pm

  I have owned my optima for a little over 2 years. Purchased the car brand new. I put 67k on the car in one year. The car never had any major problems nor left me stranded. Recently i noticed a slight hesitation in power while driving @ a constant speed, as if the transmission is slipping, lack of fuel, or ignition break-up. Also when a come to a rolling stop then proceed to accelerate the transmission doesnt always down shift to 1st or 2nd. It has a tendency to pull off in third under 10 mph. I noticed it was 3rd gear when i switch to auto manual shift. Other than that I love my Kia but hate the dealer service of Car Town kia & Ricart Kia. They cant find issues unless the service engine light is ON!

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  Spectra "toad" - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By dirtyface - August 12 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car to be a dinghy for our motorhome. Can be flat towed. Easy hook-up, tows well because of its weight, doesnt bounce or sway, pulls very nice. Starts easy, runs good, drives easy, good mileage, easy to park, easy to maintain. We feel its a good choice for a "toad". G...

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  LOVE MY KIA <3 - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By CHRIS - August 10 - 8:30 pm

  I Just Got My Kia!! I LOVE IT! Its an awesome and fun Cute-Ute to drive. Rides smooth. GREAT interior Design, VERY Spacious. Kia has really stepped up to standards with the totally re-designed, more powerful, luxury Sportage.

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  Best in class - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Harv - August 10 - 4:20 pm

  Very pleased with this car. Handles very well but not a sports car. comfortable and very quiet. Great warranty.