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:

• 

  Best Kia yet - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Big John - December 11 - 5:40 am

  I got tired of buying premium gas required for my Dodge and sought a new car. Having owned a couple of Kia Rios I thought Kia might have a deal in progress. When I spotted the 09 Optima, I was sold. New sleek lines, great price/rebates, 100K warranty, large interior, great acoustics, decent acceleration for a four banger. I began using premium and got 36 miles to a gallon on the highway. I eventually switched to regular and get 34 mpg. The Rios cost 2 grand less and get 37 mpg. Bigger car, more options, excellent gas mileage. I run about 4,000 miles a month and the 2 grand over the Rio was worth every dime. Turns heads everywhere.

• 

  A Real Sleeper - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Pain - December 11 - 2:03 am

  The performance and styling of the Amanti is outstanding. I have driven it across country and it handles and rides like a true luxury car. Several friends have compared the styling to that of the Jaguar. The solid door closing sound, the leather seats and the interior features gives the feeling of a much more expensive automobile. One negative, the tires are wearing out too fast even though they are balanced and aligned.

• 

  KIA Sorrento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By DAL 747 - December 10 - 2:03 pm

  A great value for the money, interior detail nice, comfortable and fun to drive, wasnt looking for a KIA, happy with selection. I would highly recommend you test drive. I had been introduced to the Sorrento at a used LEXUS dealer. Check-one out, you wont be disappointed.

• 

  Nice Car! - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Mike M. - December 10 - 11:30 am

  I just bought my Kia during Labor Day weekend, and I am very happy so far with it. I get way better mileage than I did with my F-150, and am spending only half of what I used to on gas. I use this car as a commuter, and plan on turning it over to my son when he turns 16 in 5 years. Best part about that is, the powertrain will still be under warranty, which is the key reason we bought this car! I compared the Kia with Toyota, Hyundai, and Chevy cars and they just dont compare with options and price.

• 

  love my sorento!! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By ChristineS - December 10 - 10:00 am

  I cannot say one negative thing about my Sorento. I looked at several other SUVs including the Jeep Liberty, Ford Escape and Hyundai Sante Fe before purchasing my Sorento and the decision to buy the Sorento was an easy one. Its a great looking, great performing vehicle at a gret price.

• 

  Friendly Environment - 2016 Kia Forte
  By Kiacustomer - December 10 - 4:01 am

• 

  Commute, its off to work we go - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By wildbill - December 9 - 10:33 pm

  Have to drive 60 miles each way. Got a Spectra and it is satisfactory. No extra power, but I keep a steady 2900 rpm going 70 mph on the Garden State Parkway. That is when I am not in Bloomfield and Orange, NJ where the speed drops to 15 mph often. One queer characteristic has popped up once in awhile. The car forgets how to automatically shift. It usually occurs when I pass through the toll booth using EZ-pay. There I dont come to a complete stop, but go from 70 to 15 to 70 mph within a mile. The car comes up to speed, but the rpms go up too, up to 4500 rpm, then I take action. Well, the action is to go to the shoulder and stop the car. Restarting seems to reprogram the car fine.

• 

  Fun car to drive - 2010 Kia Soul
  By globalreset - December 9 - 9:33 am

  Just replaced my wifes car with this vehicle. Its a very fun car and it has a unique look. I think it looks sportier than the other boxes. Extremely roomy, especially compared to other cars in its class, with headroom enough to keep your cowboy hat on. Stereo, with sirius, and bluetooth features are well executed. Build quality is not so great. Center console, especially the armrest with storage, feels very cheap. Im really worried about the hinge on the armrest wearing down. Seats are not as comfortable as the ones in my SUV, but they are on par with the seats in the Jetta we replaced.

• 

  Great Crossover - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Kansas - December 8 - 7:03 pm

  We have had our Sorento for 3 weeks now. Taken a couple of extended trips. 25 mph on highway, 21 in city (2500 miles so far). Rides stiff, but I knew that and like that ride. No rattles. Bluetooth works great; love the styling in and out.

• 

  Love My Kia! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By LKirk - December 8 - 5:40 pm

  When I was looking for an SUV I was put off by the looks of many of them and defintely their price. I liked th enew look fo the KIA Sportage so I waited for it to come to the dealership near me to se it for myself and test drive it! I was so impressed I bought it! I have had nothing but compliments from strangers at the gas station even! They like the style and want to know what make SUV it is! It had every option I wanted for an extrememly reasonable price. I love it!