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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  My Amanti - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Amanti - May 19 - 6:00 pm

  I had a 740i prior to this Amanti. I enjoy this car much better, the fact it has everything my other car had and the maintenance is 1/10 the cost. Its fun to drive long distance, and gets an average of 25 miles to the gallon on long drives. As a luxury car, I will consider this the best one Ive own. Performance is a little on the weak side, but the driving is a great pleasure to behold the owner. Many strangers have commented to myself and my spouse of how much they like the looks of the car, not to mention mistaking it at first for a Mercedes or Jaguar depending if the reference was from the rear or front. After looking at various cars, we were sold on this one with no second thought.

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  2001 Spectra GS - 2001 Kia Spectra
  By Ricky - May 18 - 4:56 pm

  Other than normal wear parts like brake pads, Ive had problems with the motor mounts (4 of them) and the upper power steering hose. It has good fuel economy, about 22 mpg city and very good handling, especially when you upgrade the wheels to 15" and sport tires.

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  Spunky Ride - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Warren - May 18 - 12:03 am

  Get rid of those preconceived notions and leave them behind. This car surprises the minute you move. The car handles nicely-I like the sports tuned suspension. Handles lane changes in a snap and stops on a dime. Like those disc brakes. Audio system is fine, but got CD stuck in the slot and cant get it out, requiring an untimely service call. Feels roomy and comfy, especially on long rides to work. Commute distance is 38 miles one way, mainly highway. Hugs off ramps quite nicely and accelerates to a decent speed rapidly. Five speed is OK, sometimes tough going from 4th to 5th; almost wants to go into 3rd. Watch out, its happened; thanks for the tachometer.

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  "Time to go" - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Thomas Colegrove - May 17 - 11:34 pm

  This is a peach! My health precludes me to purchase a new car for my wife. She is short and has difficulty seeing over the hood, other wise I would keep the car. She will be most of the future driving. This is a great car!

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  Nice Vechicle - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Sgt Ard - May 17 - 10:13 pm

  Drove Sportage EX V-6 with out leather lux pkg rode very hard, Then drove EXV- 6 with leather pkg big difference in ride very smooth, So try both before you buy I bought my sportage for 21,226.00 MSRP was 28990.00 lux pkg.

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  Love the Sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Paul - May 17 - 11:46 am

  Weve had our Sorento for a month. Never thought Id buy a Kia. Great look. Great value. Great features. Best unexpected car buy weve ever made. Going for the loaded package worth it to get the sunroof, it really opens up the interior. The navigation/voice commands still hard to learn. Bluetooth doesnt always pull in the whole address book.

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  Best Car Ive ever owned - 2003 Kia Optima
  By JPhelan - May 17 - 10:00 am

  The Optima is a luxury car for an economy price. With Leather, Wood Interior, Moon Roof and all the extras, the Kia is a steal for the money I paid. I went to a Toyota dealer with the price I paid for the Optima and they could barely get me into a stripped down Corolla for that price. Ive had the car for nearly one year and put on 28,000 miles and I have not had a single problem. The blue color is very nice looking also. I wanted the Pearl white and settled for the Blue and now I think the blue looks even better!

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  new car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By bill m - May 17 - 10:00 am

  my girlfreind and i seen an ad for kia with 2500 rebate and decided to check it out and to my surprise came away impressed love the body style but most of all what really convinced me was the warranty

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  Love My Van - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Ethel Pappas - May 17 - 10:00 am

  We live in Arizona and have traveled the mountains and highways in our van, with no problems. I always know when something needs attention, which isnt very often. Weve had it now for almost 3 years and dont regret our purchase. The only problem we have now is making sure the doors are shut because the light will go on and the beeping starts.I believe the van is so tight that it creates a vacuum. But I love it.

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  K9 Kia - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Mike Venezia - May 17 - 10:00 am

  This van filled the need to have a vehicle that was easy and comfortable to drive, have a good warranty and be easy for Great Danes to get in and out of, providing them with ample head room and plenty of fresh cool air. Its easy to drive, handles well, and has a good solid feel to it when you close the doors. Ride is smooth and quiet, and the multiple seating configurations are fantastic. Kia has provided us with a great car for the money...no complaints here Mike Venezia Jackson, NJ