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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  This is a great car - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By bobdabuilder - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car 9 months ago and have loved it since. The dealership I bought it from overcharged me, but thats okay... I couldve bought a honda for more and gotten less. This car is well worth the money, and despite other reviews Ive read, has been extremely reliable. My only complaint is that some of the plastic parts in the interior were poorly designed and are already broken. Remember to change your oil every once in a while and stop ruining these great cars.

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  One good little car - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By barkel - January 14 - 2:00 am

  At first I was not sure about buying this car, but after the test drive I was excited about the power, handling, and above all the price. Kia really backs up their product as well. My wife has a Honda Civic, and the Kia on average get very close to the same gas mialage, and it has more spunk and comfort overall. The civic has had numerous interior problems which we had repaired under warrenty, but not a single problem has been had from the Kia.

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  Great Little Car - 2013 Kia Soul
  By loversoul - January 13 - 10:24 am

  We got a Soul+ with the 1.6L and are glad that we did. The over all ride is good. If you can, like I did, take off the factory tires and get a good set of tires like good year or such it will make the ride even better the tires that are on them are what they call hard tires and make for a bit of a bumpy ride not bad but it is there. Also you should understand that there are blind spots that are really bad that is cause of the back pilards are so thick. The shifting when down shifting in the auto can be a bit jerky. 1.6L has good amount of horse power enough to get you going when you need to. The real test for us anyway is the back seat lots and lots of room for tall people

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  Great Car! Great Price - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By happyblonde - January 13 - 2:40 am

  You cannot beat the quality of this little mini-mini van! We purchased the V6 version, and the pickup is great! Lots of special features like air vents in the back seat, plenty of cupholders, storage-did I mention the back seats recline a little (which is great for long trips). We purchased this used with 10,000 miles on it-but its still like brand new. I could go on and on about how much we love this car-from plenty of storage room, the quietness of the car and leg room-this car is a must have for small families. Dont be put off by the Kia name (which is owned by Hyundai, by the way). This car is just as good as a Toyota or Honda-for thousands less!

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  Luv my kias - 2011 Kia Forte
  By 04spectre - January 13 - 2:25 am

  Traded in our 04 Optima EX V-6 @ 133,000 for our Forte. The Optima was a great car. Only had to replace the starter. Absolutely luv the forte. Spirited 2.0L, great 6sp auto. Outstanding gas mileage, on a trip from Jax, Fl to Philly it avg over 40 mpg during 1 tank run, i.e. 403 miles and only took 9.7 gal to fill. Averaged 37-38 mpg on the trip. A definite gas saver over the 2.7L Optima. I am 61", 256#, a little cramped but otherwise REALLY like this car. Started out with a 2001 Sephia, bought 02 Optima EX V-6 for Mama, Traded both cars in on the same day in Dec 03 for an 04 Spectra and the 04 Optima. Still have the Spectra @ over 103,000 miles.

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  Koup is Killer - 2010 Kia Forte
  By mississippikoup - January 12 - 11:00 pm

  This car is more than I expected. I never thought I would own a KIA. I was looking for a sports coup. Looked at Mustang, Camaro, scion tc, and Honda. Mustang and Camaro had great power handling not so great. Scion tc is a Toyota that is a much as I will say about that. Hondas nice but the interior was dull. The Kia has the looks and handles great and the features you get for the price is outstanding. The 2 liter give it enough power and the gas mileage is very good. In the short time I have had this I cant believe the complements I have received. The price was great List was $17,600. I paid $15,200.

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  Not with your money - 2011 Kia Sedona
  By teac - January 12 - 4:14 am

  I purchased a Sedona new in june 2011, from day one I had nothing but small problems with it and the dealer just didnt seem to know how to fix it. First the radio had a mind of its own, when playing the cd, it shutoff and played the radio, when playing the radio it changed stations, some times it even shut off completly.Eighteen months later and a total of 12 days in the shop and a replaced radio(so they said) it was still broken. Some of the other problems bad idle pully, bad batteries, loose ground wires preventing the windows or locks to work and one dealer wanted 450 to fix. nothing but headaches finally traded it in at 18 months and loss $8000 in the process.

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  Love it, some minor annoyances - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By peter j martin - January 11 - 8:00 pm

  Bought it 2nd hand with 125k on it, engine light stays on, presently at dealership to have it checked. Initially mirrors did not function properly but dealership replaced the console in arm rest, ok now. Love the car, gas mileage could be better however it is a heavy car with a big v6 engine. Could have come with a compass & gps system, have added both myself, with this said it comes with everything else you could possibly need.

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  Do NOT buy a KIA ! - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By williamsabode - January 11 - 2:27 pm

  I would like to know who writes these reviews. As I said, Do Not buy a Kia. You will probably need every little bit of the so called associated warranty as there is not much on these sedonas that you wont have problems with. Hey Im not banging on the Sedona just to be contrary but you will have nothing but problems with these things. There is not enough space here to list them all but just so you know what we dealt with from the get go has been; rotors, doors (Front, Back & sliding), engine, alternator, heater control, brakes, electrical, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc....... you name it. Please talk to someone who has owned one (at least a yr) long enough to know something. Wish I had !

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  Kia Forte - Seats - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Chris - January 11 - 2:53 am

  I purchased this car back in August. Its a nice car it has over 3000 miles I bought the ex with fuel economy pkg I do mostly city driving I was getting 30 mpg which added up to 400 out of tank now im getting 360 per tank whats up with that? Second the drivers seat is killing me I can feel the steal construction of the seat with the air bag in the way. Kia wont do anything about it beware if your a tall & mature man stay away from this car!!!! The engine lag is some thing I still cant get use to? All other options for the money are great. I just wish it was more comfortable. I only drive to work and thats it The steering is not tight it pulls or leans to the right.