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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  100,000 miles - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By not_a_yob - March 19 - 11:50 pm

  Ive read through plenty of reviews, and the one thing I am noticing is that people are putting automatics in with the manual transmission, dont be daft please. The 2.0 DOHC 5spd standard transmission is great. I have over 100,000 miles on my car as it sits now still with the original clutch, and trust me when I say I havent been overly kind to my car. I have beat on it, driven long distances and over all drvien this car as if it were a rally car or enduro car, including some slight off roading and it still starts up with out arguement and gets up and goes like a propper little sprinter. I unexpectedly fell in love with the little bugger, and I expect the romance to continue on for awhile.

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  excellant Car - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By Dan - March 17 - 3:10 pm

  All Around great car. A little rough over pot holes

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  Never Had an Issue - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By Kerensa - March 17 - 2:18 am

  I was trading up to this from a 2005 Ford Focus that I absolutely hated. I needed something a bit more roomy with better visibility. I bought this used with minimal miles on it. I sold it 3 years later because I needed something with AWD in it, otherwise I would have kept it. I did routine maintenance on it and never had one issue with how it drove.

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  Great Car - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Great Car - March 16 - 6:43 pm

  72,000 miles and not a squeak, rattle, or repair. Drives like the day it came out of the dealership. Wonderful car, great value.

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  Im Glad I Got A KIA Spectra EX - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By JoshUNC - March 16 - 7:26 am

  After comparing prices on the 07 to the new 09 KIA Spectra EX I decided to go with the 09 mainly based on price and having full warranty. I give this car straight 9s across the board... very happy with my purchase so far. I have even used the roadside service because I left my lights on and ran my battery dead. Called kia and they sent someone with no problems and limited info. They even called me back to make sure someone came to help. Will buy a KIA again!

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  I Love My Kia Rio Because Its Cheap - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Flashturner - March 15 - 11:46 am

  Like the title says, I love my Kia Rio because its cheap. Where can you purchase a brand new car for $8,000 with a 10 year/100,000 miles warranty except Kia? I also purchased the 7 year/100,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty. Havent had a chance to use it because the car is like the Eveready Energizer bunny. It has the pep of the Pontiac Solstice or Saturn Sky. Its also fun to drive and a miser with gas. I fill up every two to three weeks at $25. Cant beat that with a stick. I must say the car is not put together with the best and strongest materials, but what do you expect for $8,000. Ive noticed that the price has gone up and you cant get the great warranty anymore.

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  Great car for a great price. - 2005 Kia Rio
  By autooracle - March 13 - 4:46 am

  Great used car buy. Reliable, peppy, quiet and well engineered. Save thousands of of a comparable Honda or Toyota. The manufacturer offers a 10 year 100k mile warranty for those who buy new. That warranty drops to 6/60k powertrain as a pre-owned car.

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  120,000 and still running great - 2002 Kia Rio
  By bl - March 12 - 9:46 pm

  My cinco has been the most reliable car Ive ever owned. Im so happy with it Im buying another kia. Why cant we build cars this reliable. I only wish they put a light in the glove compartment.

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  great car - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By nathan gerlt - March 12 - 5:53 pm

  This is a great family car it has a sporty look and the speed , yet it has all the protection you would need for your family. I love the way this drives and handles!!!!

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  My First New Car - 2010 Kia Forte
  By kurtybee - March 11 - 11:36 pm

  I have been driving used cars my entire life. Driving became a chore instead of a joy. When the transmission suddenly broke in my Sable without warning I decided to buy a new car. I made a V line for the Kia Forte. It is the best looking car in its class. I picked up the 5 speed auto with the Eco package and I am very pleased with it. The car has better acceleration than the 4 speed and the steering is smoother and more comfortable. The headroom, leg room, and trunk space in this car is unbelieve. Kia did a good job using the space provided. I am 510 and I find my sisters civic to feel cramped. I felt like a was driving in a sardine can. The Forte has room to spare. I love to drive again.