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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  Dandy little car - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Dirsppro1234 - February 14 - 10:00 am

  A/C is the best in any car Ive ever driven. It takes off slow...but then top end is really pretty good. I like all the features. A dandy little car!

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  Fun and economical - 2003 Kia Rio
  By seafair - February 14 - 10:00 am

  I have NO complaints about this car except that the transmission slips now and again and the Dealership that sold me the car is full of losers, swindlers and liars. I love the gas mileage this car gets, especially in todays economy. Its cute and handles like a dream. I will definitly consider buying another KIA when that time comes, however I will choose a different Dealership.

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  ten is to low - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By mark & Carrie bentz - February 14 - 10:00 am

  I just got the van. and i love , very solid drive, we got the Ex and it is loaded, This van should get a 20 not a 10.

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  Real Candy for the Road! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By TBKahuna - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Bought a EX with Luxe package. Considered buying Kia Sorento, Hyundai Sante Fe, Saturn Vue or Toyota Highlander. Found the Sorento to offer best value for the money and great looks. I have driven 11,000 miles in it so far, hauling camping gear and bikes, and every one has been nothing but Total Satisfaction.

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  Koup for Keeps - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Rockin RN - February 14 - 3:03 am

  My Koup is Racing Red with an automatic transmission and sport cloth interior. I have owned the car for 3 weeks and so far it is an exceptional car for the money. The build quality is solid with absolutely no sqeaks or rattles, doors close with a reassuring thunk, the paint looks good and the fit and finish is very good. The engine runs and idles very smooth with more than adequate acceleration. Nice sporty ride, not too harsh over bumps. I traded in my 2005 Acura TL for this car and I can honestly say that I dont regret it.

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  Luvin my hamster ride! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By gmom - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I did a lot of research before I decided on the Kia Soul. I am LOVING IT! Ive had it six weeks and already have a little over 3800 miles on it. Its fun to drive. My picky husband even likes to drive it. We are in our late 40s and we see more people our age driving the Soul. Not just for the 20 somethings.

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  Update on Transmission Noise - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Kansas - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Olathe Kia contacted KIA engineers. Solution was to flash the computer. I am not sure how that works, but it worked. Fixed < 24 hours and they provided a free car during repair. Still very pleased with my purchase. Drives great, averaging 23 mpg, still turning heads. Thank you Olathe Kia.

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  Value plus - 2007 Kia Optima
  By TOFB - February 12 - 11:36 am

  Im very happy with my purchase. All the features I wanted for thousands less than the big guys. First mileage test at 1500 miles I got 36.6 mpg on the highway.

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  Vastly underestimated car, I think. - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Stan - February 11 - 1:20 pm

  I bought my 2006 Spectra in May 2008 with 28000 miles on it, so have driven it six months and roughly 4000 miles thus far. Overall I have been impressed with the cars quietness, acceleration and ride, and have had absolutely no problems. My only quibble would be the fuel economy which does tend to run 22 mpg in city driving and 30 mpg on the hwy. I had hoped the city mpg would be a bit better. But overall I am very satisfied and if the car holds up this well over the next couple of years I will probably buy another Kia.

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  it doesnt get much better - 2012 Kia Optima
  By arubin - February 11 - 10:33 am

  I have my Optima ex turbo for a week, I already have driven 425 miles, mixed city and highway.The car is solid, quiet and has a very nice combination of ride and handling.Very comfortable seats front and rear, great sound from the Infinity stereo, and very good controls.So far my gas mileage overall mix is 27,28 mpg.I cant say enough how much I love this car.The only negative is the choice of tires ,Nexens are very bad on wet roads.I hope Kia will realize a car as good a the Optima deserves better performing tires.