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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  Should have bought a bicycle - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Riky - November 26 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for about 2 1/2 years. During the first month, the breaks started to squeel, the trim on the doors started to fall off, during snowy or even damp conditions the wheels would lock-up making the car slide rather than stop(maybe the tires?) the engine has been making a ticking sound for the past little while, etc. I sold my crx and took on the 4 year lease when I was in college (Im an idiot!) Íve been trying to find out how much it will cost to get out of the lease, but they have been dicking me around for a few weeks.

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  Optimum Optima - 2011 Kia Optima
  By rockinrn - November 24 - 9:11 am

  Just picked up my new 2011 Kia Optima EX. It is Snow White Pearl with grey leather interior. After driving the car for a few days I can say that it is great value for the money with better than average performance. The six speed automatic shifts smoothly and quickly. The 200 HP four cylinder engine has performance that is adequate for all but the most speed obsessed driver. The car has an amazing amount of front leg room. My 6 4" frame has room to spare and that is highly unusual in any car regardless of price. The fit and finish as well as the quality of the materials is top notch . Great car so far, but I still cant figure out the mood lighting in the armrests.

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  Better than expected - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By erns - November 23 - 4:00 am

  Have just over 22,000 miles and the cars still feels solid, no rattles. 29 mpg in mixed driving!

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  MY 07 KIA RIO - 2007 Kia Rio
  By JADAVI2 - November 22 - 6:53 am

  Love it! This is my 1st new car. I am very pleased with it. Great price, great car.

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  I may have a lemon according 2 other rvw - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Going Ape - November 21 - 10:00 am

  After reading all the other reviews I figured I coudlnt lose, great price, great quality, great warranty. So I went out and bought one. However, I have had several annoying things go wrong. Ive had it 2 months now and its been in the shop 4 times for several things. The most annoying is a vibrating feel and sounds and certain speeds and acceleration. I went through a car wash and water started dripping in through the top of the windshield. Most other things were minor. I like to drive it and the interior is really nice. But overall I like the vehicle. Plan on keeping it for a long time because depreciation is really bad.

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  Very satisfied Kia owners! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By PaulandKelly - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love my Sorento! My husband has an Xterra that I cant stand! Its uncomfortable and drives like a truck and I vowed not to have that when I bought an SUV. I found everything I wanted in my Sorento and more! One thing I wish I had gotten...the luxury package!

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  Great luxury car - 2008 Kia Amanti
  By herb45 - November 20 - 6:43 pm

  After driving midsized cars for a number of years, I felt it was time to venture up. With barely 200 miles on it, I am already seeing 30 mp on the highway. I am feeling a slight vibration when I apply the brakes, but I think thats just a brake rotor out of round. Other than that, not much else to say.

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  Good looking car for the money - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Denise Young - November 20 - 7:36 am

  This is our first cross over vehicle. When I friend suggested I take a peek at the Kias I thought not. But, I did and Im glad. I really like how the car looks. It has a sporty high end look that will appeal to most high end buyers. However, I think more attention should be given to the interior. The seats are not comfertable and as another reviewer stated the console is hard! Its also a little sluggish when changing gears. Its also easy to engage the blue tooth on the steering wheel. Overall a good car. I think Kia will tweak the 2012s and that will be the one.

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  Good car - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Stillalive - November 19 - 10:00 am

  This was a great mid$ car. Was totaled in crash, and all crumple zones and air bags saved me! Never had any issues with this car. Owned it from 47k to 74k miles. Btw, I paid $9500, and after 14 months, ins paid $8300. Book value went UP even with 27k more miles on it. Avg. 24 mpg mostly freeway. For you gear heads, there is about a 1400 rpm drop between gears. 3800 rpm in 5th gets you about 72 mph on flats. Youll need to drop 1 on hills. Great car for the $.

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  Good car for the money - 2010 Kia Forte
  By jim - November 19 - 10:00 am

  MSRP: $18510 My cost $16562 With the cash back of $1000. going to dealer. Also got the 2.9% apr for 60 months. Really a fun to drive economical car to drive. Blue tooth, nice stereo, ride is good. Great warranty. Would highly recommend. Drove a few others, but really liked what this car offers for the money. Get the 5 spd automatic, worth the extra $600.