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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  would buy again - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By two time kia owner - December 9 - 3:30 pm

  this is a good buy for anybody the price more than makes up for the missing features of the higher priced vehicles and you cant beat the warranty cause heaven knows if you need a minivan you cant afford emergency repairs easily.

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  Excellent - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Jon - December 8 - 6:53 am

  I have been delighted with this SUV. Comfortable ride, solid construction, all the amenities of a more expensive SUV, e.g., Lexus, BMW. Gas mileage could be better, however, this SUV meets all my needs.

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  Great car for the $$$ - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Jake Dailey - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I cant say anything bad about this car. Ive owned it for 9 months and for basic reliable transportation, you cant go wrong. I wouldnt buy it new, since it depreciates so fast, but as a used car, its not bad! Its fun to drive with the manual tranny, I took a 1st and a 2nd in the local autocrosses with only upgraded 17" wheels and kuhmo tires:) I also added a CD player.

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  Not too bad! - 2010 Kia Sportage
  By Aydesire - December 5 - 7:03 am

  The 2010 Kia Sportage is not too bad only for its fuel economy! You drive and see your fuel going down as you accelerate. It gulps fuel!

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  Great bargain!! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Ed - December 4 - 1:33 pm

  We compared the CRV, RAV4, and the Sportage, and for the price, the Kia is hard to beat. The CRV and RAV4 might have better reliability but the Kia is not far behind and their warranty is otstanding. We got a fully loaded Sportage for less than a mid- level CRV LX.

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  I Really Love my Kia Soul - 2013 Kia Soul
  By brittneycj - December 4 - 1:38 am

  I bought my Kia Soul ! in March 2013 and absolutely love it. I think it fits my personality and lifestyle perfectly. I have a yellow lab and can easily throw her in the back.

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  Rio review - 2004 Kia Rio
  By daveworgan - December 2 - 10:00 am

  The exterior styling is more appealing than most small cars in this class - the interior is nicely appointed for a budget-priced vehicle. The ride is quite controlled and overall is comfortable to drive. Its not a luxury performance car, but then I didnt expect it to be. Ive driven mine (2003) 13,000 miles and have been very satisfied. No problems.

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  Zero Problems in 50,000 miles of driving! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By heyguy - December 2 - 12:09 am

  My wife and I both drive Optima Hybrids and we both traded in Lexus for these cars. While not luxury laden like our old cars (and we do miss the wood, quality leather, and quieter drive, our cars have almost all the bells and whistles and have performed flawlessly for 2+ years and combined 50,000+ miles of driving. Love the 6 speed shiftable transmission, great radio, and heated and cooled seats. Love to the 35-40 mpg we get on long drives!

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  Not A Bad Car For The Price - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By thj - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I dont care what anyone saids about Kia I think the spectra is a good car for the price.

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  GREAT VALUE - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By PAT GUY - December 1 - 2:00 am

  WELL BUILT NOT CHEESY AFFORDABLE BEST WARRENTY EX, HAS GREAT TRIM ON THE INSIDE.