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:

• 

  Solid, great warranty - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Sidney Prefer - January 31 - 4:13 pm

  The car rides very good, comfortable and quiet. It has enough power for me. The only drawback is mileage, about 21 overall.

• 

  Great Car! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By onoitsbroko - January 31 - 11:56 am

  So Ive had my forte for 2 1/2 months now and so far so good! Ive logged about 5,200 miles on it already! Ive taken about 5 road trips this summer in my Forte, and it has been nothing but an awesome experience! I got my Forte SX model after much research. I used to own a 2000 Chevy Impala (Horrible Horrible Vehicle) and I wasnt in the market for a "New car" per se. I just happened to go to this Kia dealership in my Area to drive a chevy trailblazer, but I ended up walking out with a brand new Forte, lol! I was pretty much going to pay the same price for a brand new car, and a car with over 50,000 Miles on it. It was a no-brainer for me.

• 

  Possible Problems - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Jacks kia - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Problamtaic Car. I have had nothing but problems with this car. Had all 4 door sensors replace, throttle plate replaced, ORGR valve recall, seat belt unlatches, transmission problems they cant seam to fix, rear hatch seal wont stay on, cheap interior materials, already show wear, rear hatch never opens with release. Overall needed a inexpensive reliable car, and although it has never left me stranded, will NEVER buy a kia again, or from the dealership (taylor kia) in toledo.

• 

  my magic kia ride - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By marc the shark - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for approx. $10,000 after the discounts. It is very comfortable and performs well. I do not notice any significant lack of power or braking deficits as reported. It came equipped with a cd player, auto and air and for my money is a better bargain than many of its counterparts. I have had the car for a year and I have had no problems with it.

• 

  Its a great little car - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By mark frye - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Its my wifes car for her work,but we took it for a little vac,& everything was fine.

• 

  NOT THE BEST, BUT NOT THE WORST - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By A. REVIEW - January 24 - 10:00 am

  BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS VAN I HAD A CARAVAN.THE KIA IS DEFINITELY NICER,BUT IT ALSO COST MORE. I WISH IT HAD MORE ROOM OVERALL. THE GAS MILEAGE IS NOT GOOD BECAUSE THE CAR IS SO HEAVY. BUT, BEING HEAVY IS A PLUS IF YOU GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.ITS QUIET INSIDE AND I LIKE BEING ABLE TO TURN DOWN THE MUSIC IN THE FRONT WHILE LEAVING IT LOUDER IN THE BACK. THE INTERIOR IS CLASSY. THE TRAY IN BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT I CANT FIT MY ARM DOWN BESIDE IT IF I DROP ANYTHING. THERE ARE NO CUP HOLDERS FOR THE SECOND ROW SEATS. ALL IN ALL, THE VAN IS VERY NICE. I LOVE THE WARRANTY. I DONT KNOW ABOUT THE SERVICE YET. THE AC IS GREAT.

• 

  FUN TO OWN AND DRIVE - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By BIG - January 24 - 10:00 am

  ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING OUR KIA SORENTO WE WERE HIT WITH HEAVY SNOWS (11-13").THE FULL TIME 4WD ENABLED US TO TRAVEL EASILY ON UNPLOWED SIDE STREETS AND GET IN AND OUT OF PLOWED-IN DRIVEWAYS. ENJOYED DEEP SNOW FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS. FROM THE DAY WE TOOK DELIVERY (O1-2003) EVERYTHING WORKED EXACTLY AS SUPPOSED TO.IN MY OPINION THE KIA IS ONE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS AROUND.

• 

  Love the Kia Srrento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Anita DeMarco - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Had my Sorento since January and had to travel between NY and NC several times and love my Kia. It is comfortable and has the power I was looking for in an SUV. Feels solid and rides smooth for highway driving yet fun to do off roading also. Highley recommend looking at this SUV if you dont mind the gas mileage is the only draw back.

• 

  Lacks power - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Alexa - January 22 - 11:50 am

  I thought I could love this small SUV but after trading in my 06 Trailblazer for it in an effort to get better gas mileage (was only getting 13 mpg in the Trailblazer), Im sorely disappointed that Im only getting 18-19 mpg (mostly city driver). Fairly comfortable for around town, horrible on hills... dont even think about taking it on mountain roads like we did - it was exhausting. Definitely lacks pickup and refinement.

• 

  My new Kia is better than the last - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Lynne Pizette - January 22 - 9:51 am

  The 2017 Kia EX Sportage AWD is the sportiest SUV around. Really like the way it looks. Ive owned the car less than 2 weeks so Im still learning it, but so far its great! I owned the Sorento previously, never liked it and never thought Id get another Kia, but after researching and testing multiple vehicles I liked this best and the price was right.