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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  Great buy - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Ernesto Holguìn - February 27 - 6:53 pm

  It`s a great vehicle, my last car was a Rav4 with full equipment, My Kia doesnt have all extras , but are small things that make your car cost more. I suggest Toyota or Nissan owners to trust kia, I feel safer and it doesnt make so much noise as my last Toyota. Im delighted about the features this car has , its fun to drive

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  Holy Smokes - This is NOT ur Mothers KIA! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By jerryk007 - February 27 - 6:02 pm

  A bit apprehensive at first! After researching and viewing the Hyundai products i.e. Sonata, Elantra & KIA I became convinced that the KIA was amazing! The value for the $$$ was almost unbelievable. Current incentives also played a roll. But after 10 1/2 years with a Nissan Maxima that served me very well at 101K Miles this cars design and finish compared to the Sonata, Camry, Altima & Honda won hands down. The leather interior is the best in class! I am a huge fan and the creature features are just enough! Also ride is very responsive and pretty damn quiet for its cost!

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  2014 Kia Forte EX is a winner! - 2014 Kia Forte
  By fedora1953 - February 27 - 2:51 pm

  The new 2014 Kia Forte EX is leaps and bounds ahead of the previous models. Although it has the same 2.0L engine as the previous year, they switched to a GDI injection system which is gives better efficiency, upping it from 156 HP to 173 HP, yet manages the same MPG. If you leave it on the default ECO setting, it feels sluggish if you try to push it some. Its trying to save you gas. But if you turn ECO off, the sluggishness goes away, but so will your better mileage. The new Forte EX is quieter. It rides better. The new Forte has the Elantra chassis with the same wheelbase, and curb to curb radius. It has the same 6 speed transmission, but a more powerful engine.

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  Kia Rio - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Taylor - February 27 - 8:26 am

  I have had terrible luck with this car. It is a very uncomfortable car, with not a lot of room. I have had to get so many things done to it in a matter of a year. Including speed sensors that corroded, It breaks down every now and then while driving it, The gear shifts get stuck at times and are too hard to move, The wire harness linking to the transmission had to be replaced as well. This car is not recommended by me.

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  3 years and no problems - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By sixsix65704 - February 27 - 3:26 am

  I traded my 06 Kia sorento for the 2007. I got a great deal I financed 8800. I love the power of the V-6. I used it on the beach in Cape Hatteras ,NC. The 4x4 works great in the sand or snow. Great SUV for the money.

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  Very good car for the money - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By EML - February 27 - 1:56 am

  This is my first KIA and feel that it will not be my last. I have been a Ford customer for many years and Ford has been very good too, but I just like the style and how this KIA operates.

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  my screamin spectra - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By jimwags - February 26 - 8:10 pm

  so far at 3000 miles my spectra is on par with the 91 corolla i bought new then traded for the 05 kia. it has more power than i expected and highway manners are better than the 05 corolla i almost paid 2500.00 more for with less features than spectra. mpg hiway is now up to 36.8 i am looking for 38.5 @70 mph. great warranty on this car worth looking at seriously............

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  I would buy it all over again - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By brookea - February 26 - 5:54 pm

  Kia has a great warranty first and foremost. This car is stylish and convenient. For being an SUV it can make pretty sharp turns. It is spacious yet not monstrous. I am averaging about 27-29 highway and 22-23 in the city. I like the convenience of there being AC vents in the middle around the knee area so the back seat stays cool as well. It gets up and goes yet runs very quietly and smooth.

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  Best valued Mid Sized SUV for the money - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By MJP53 - February 26 - 3:06 am

  We looked at all of the players; Rav4, CRV, Focus, BMW X3, Tuscon, etc. This was by far the best car for the money. Its comfortable, gets good gas mileage, great on trips and handles like a dream. This is a well engineered vehicle. It also has the best warranty in the industry.

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  Bad engine- Gas HOG! :( - 2012 Kia Optima
  By lynnedoe - February 25 - 5:46 am

  I bought my Optima in the fall of 2012. It has had engine work done 3 times. Kia refused to take the car back. Full engine was replaced on third trip in... Great looking car- but gas mileage is WAYYY lower then advertised. I got rid of my SUV to save money on gas. Im now getting the same if not less mpg with this car. If I do not keep "ECO" option on I actually have gotten as low as just over 11 mpg. HORRIBLE. Not even a turbo... Cant say Id recommend a Kia to anyone I know.