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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  my car - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By tnbluiis - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Its a cute car fun to drive and really cheap on gas

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  Cadenza-Simply a beautiful car - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By achero1 - November 6 - 3:29 am

  KIA of Somersworth is a great local dealership. Brian the Sales MGR does a great job without the heavy sales pitch. Ive been looking to trade in my 2013 KIA Optima SX for the new KIA Cadenza. Took the Cadenza for a test drive , the first thing that comes to mind is " what a beautiful car" Through out my initial drive of the Cadenza you just keep saying this is incredible. The interior is nicely appointed with high grade materials. There is a lot of attention to details right down to the stitching of the leather seats. The instruments are easy to use. The Cadenza Premium with a MSRP of 35k comes with a lot of nice features from Navigation heated seats,293HP V6, 18 inch chrome rims,infinity

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  Kia EX V-6 - 2008 Kia Optima
  By PatrickDT - November 5 - 8:33 pm

  This Year kia was a pretty good one. But if you are trying to find one of these models used, good luck there very hard to find.The only model I can find used right now is the LX Model with the 4 Cyl. Engine or the EX With the 4 Cyl. Engine.

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  updated trade in - 2017 Kia Soul
  By drewp - November 5 - 7:16 pm

  had a 2012 soul and traded in for a 2017 model. Not many changes between the years, except 2017 does not come with a cd player standard. Still no spare tire. new car has the nitrogen filled tires. I like the car for the handling, and overall comfort. but its overpriced.

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  Not so happy Kia owner - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Jenn - November 5 - 4:40 pm

  Purchased the Soul after getting info about high gas mileage - but never got over 25 mpg at any time which was a huge disappointment. My Ford which was 9 years old gave 28 mpg and I never intended to give up mpg. The road noise is heavy - although I paid extra for some kind of noise reduction something. Also been in the dealership a few times for an unknown noise - if I park with hand brakes up, when I am reversing, I get a knocking sound. No one at the dealership could tell me anything about the noise - except to not use the hand brakes. I seriously thought the car had hand brakes so it could be used - my mistake. The car is cute and all but Kia again- I really dont think so.

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  46000 and going strong - 2001 Kia Spectra
  By Bob Bell - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for over three years. The more I drive it the better it gets. It is the best highway car I have ever had and with Dunlop SA-2 tires it handles like a sports car. It can cruize on the interstate with the best of them and still get great gass mileage.

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  The Princess and the Pea - 2004 Kia Rio
  By NewRioApr04 - November 4 - 10:00 am

  The suspension system is very poor, you feel every bump on the highway and every crack in the road. Otherwise, I am very happy with the car.

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  Awesome - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By MelanieGG - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Has all the features of LUXURY autos. I miss the idea of flat seats in the back if I needed them but when would I actually use them when I have 3 kids? So it doesnt really count anyways. The gas mileage is bad but everything else makes up for that!

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  Kia...I would have nevr imagined so much - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By fjnlcpc - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Has it all from ride to look to dependability and a feeling of safety and no fear of the elements while driving.

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  Watch out for this one - SERIOUSLY - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Bev - November 3 - 3:50 pm

  We purchased our Kia Optima LX with only 11 miles on it. Not very much longer we started having trouble with the trunk coming open either driving down the road or sitting still, then we started having trouble with hesitation between 40 & 50 mph. It just seem like it was one thing after another along with the cruise control coming on by itself & air-bag wasnt working, lifter rattling, burning smell after the engine was shut off. Took it to the dealer many, many times & they said that they couldnt duplicate the problem so there was noting wrong with it. Kia said that they would not replace anything on the car, but they replaced the BCM without asking us & it still didnt help.