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:

• 

  reliable, fun to drive transportation - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By slick - February 1 - 7:33 am

  I bought the Sephia brand new in 2000 with 6 miles on it. It now has 140,000 miles on it and still going strong. Ive abused this car beyond belief during the past six years and it has held up to the challenge. Ive had few problems with the engine, which happens to have a lot of potential for modification like its Civic rivals. Overall, its dependable, good on gas, and performs better than the day I bought it.

• 

  Major FUN FACTOR to drive - 2010 Kia Soul
  By MikeyMike - February 1 - 4:30 am

  My parents bought a Kia Sorento and let me drive it and I was highly impressed with the quality and "solid" feeling of the auto. My Dad mentioned seeing the Kia Soul at the dealership and instantly thought of me. I was driving a 2009 Black Corolla and had buyers remorse. It just didnt have the gusto and zip I so desired. Even the inside felt cheap and flimsy. So on a whim I went and test drove the Kia Soul only to instantly fall in love with the zippy responsive ride. The Soul is the funnest auto Ive ever driven. Everything from the outside to the inside of this auto has been well designed. I actually look forward to driving again and am planning roadtrips with my friends now. DRIVE ONE!

• 

  Sorento kept me very safe in Accident! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By ct621 - January 30 - 6:49 am

  I bought my 2011 Sorento in June of 2011 unfortunately I only owned it until July of 2011 since I was involved in a serious accident. I was going through a major intersection where I live when another driver made a left turn in front of me and failed to yield. I was going 45 mph and she was going about 15-20 we had a head on collision and my car flipped twice. I was wearing my seatbelt which saved my life but the sorento kept me very safe!! I couldnt have been more pleased with the car in the short time I owned it. It was a shame to see such a beautiful car sold for salvage:(

• 

  AWESOME RIDE - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By kia mAN 17 - January 29 - 11:16 pm

  This car is awesome and sporty! Has sex appeal in a sophisticated style. I am 17 years old and I received this car from my dad because of my good grades. I am so lucky 2 have this Kia. Many people degrade my car because its a Kia but its a great car! Especially for a 17 year old boy.

• 

  FUEL MILEAGE 20+ - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By harleydad87 - January 29 - 10:43 pm

  I just purchased an 04 Sorento EX w/ 105k on it. After reading about fuel mileage, we almost took our other vehicle on our day trip Saturday. 309 miles, mostly highway, cruise control at 75, w/ several stops, I still managed to get 20.5 mpgs. So, while 2 mpgs arent much, I am sure that I could have got 22-23 had I kept speed at 65-70. Way better then the 18 from review.

• 

  A great ride - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By maddad - January 29 - 11:43 am

  If you are looking for a car that will be mistaken for a Mercedes. a Lincoln, a Jaguar, or a Lexus, this is it.

• 

  Awesome design and Fun to Drive - 2011 Kia Optima
  By mavic19 - January 28 - 7:50 pm

  I am absolutely in love with this car. The design is very sporty and draws a lot of attention and compliments. Great interior design and layout. Wood accents are sweet and not overly done. Performance is great. No torque off the bottom, but one she hits 4k she rips. Only thing I dont like is the NEXEN CP671 tires. Gas milage has been consitent at 28mpg after 3 tanks of mixed driving.

• 

  Sorento SX delivers - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By tnvol75 - January 28 - 6:51 pm

  I am more than pleased with my new Sorento SX. More than anything, I am surprised at the total performance and delivery of this vehicle. More than I ever imagined. Cant wait to try it out on long trips to the beach. I previously owned a Ford Explorer and pretty much always been a fan of Ford. Since I have taken ownership of this vehicle I couldnt be happier with my purchase. After months of research and comparisons I feel like I have made an excellent decision with this purchase.

• 

  Bad experience - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Luis - January 28 - 6:31 pm

  Compre un kia optima 2012 con 18000 millas, el peor carro que he comprado, se me prendía el check engine y el turbo dejaba de jalar. lo lleve al dealer y me dijeron que era la bomba de gasolina. 910 dlls. A los 3 días comenzó a fallar otra vez de lo mismo. Lo tenía que prender apagar y volver a prender para que probablemente trabaje el turbo. Todavía debía 4 años de 340 dlls por mes. Finalmente un día no me prendió el check engine y aproveche para ir a la ford para cambiarlo por una Ford edge. No vuelvo a cometer el error de comprar un kia.

• 

  Loooooove this car!! - 2002 Kia Rio
  By sxbombannie - January 28 - 2:15 pm

  i just wanted to let everyone know what happened to me so it wont happen to you. i bought this car in 2007 with 20,000 miles for $4000. i know its horrible but i only got maybe 3 or 4 oil changes. the car has 107,000 miles now. but this car just kept on going. i hit a wall on the highway goin about 50 and i just drove it away. never ever had a problem until 80,000 miles needed new wheel bearings. almost $500. not too bad. kept on going til pulling into my driveway one day it just dies! i knew it was the end because the car had been so good to me it was gonna end its life pulling into the driveway. got it towed to the mechanic and yup, the timing chain broke. broke the engine, $2500 to fix.