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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  Great Car - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Mitohan - February 18 - 10:00 am

  My Sorento is fun to drive and very comfortable. I did a little research before purchasing one, and it ranks with some of the best out there.

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  Good Starter SUV - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By DNAgent - February 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive had two of these cars and I have been extremely happy with both. The first I drove cross-country twice and some bozo totaled it. The second has been just as sturdy and reliable as the first. No problems and a great warranty.

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  Needs Improvement - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Disappointed Owner - February 15 - 2:43 am

  Purchased vehicle in March 2010, Kia needs to address the issue with the noisy front end struts and the ride quality on bumpy roads asap. I had to the dealer twice for this issue and they said that Kia is aware of the issue but has no fix as of yet. This is unacceptable! If they know there is a problem then why dont they take care of it. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone at this point because of this issue. Very annoying.

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  Childs safety Before My comfort always - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By T - February 11 - 6:33 am

  This van is not a bad choice at all. Sure it isnt very roomy when it comes to cargo space but with the adjustments and removals available, you can make room. Its the safety that matters people. Would you rather get into a wreck with cargo space or get into a wreck knowing you have a 5 star rating? Yeah, me too. When driving this vehicle, you know you are safe and you just feel safe. You have the good view (except rear view, which is limited) . You think you have your brights running when you dont, the headlights are so good. Interior is quite amazing also. Everywhere you look you can place something, lots of storage and plenty cupholders. You get your moneys worth, ***The Warranty***

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  KIA how inexpensive thou are - 2013 Kia Optima
  By george marx - February 7 - 9:06 pm

  The car is the best value I could find. (and it do a lot of research on cars) I bought SLX turbo and its plenty quick for these old bones. Just dont drop the hammer on it, the turbo doesnt like it. (Turbo lag) It came with every option you can think of save for auto slow down when its in cruise control.

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  My review title - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Gurn Blanston - February 7 - 10:00 am

  Purchased new in 2002. Havent had any major problems yet. No repairs needed. No warrenty claims. Ive had the services done at the dealership about every 3000 miles. Being 64" its a little tight for me on the leg room, but really not too bad considering. The only real aggravation Ive had with it has to do with a design flaw and my having size 12 shoes. There is an armature about where the toes of a right size 12 shoe that controls the air-handling system (where the air squirts out from) and about once a month I kick that armature off. Its been pretty easy to put back on though...30 second repair. Hmmm...75 characters remaining...oops, 46 now.

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  Would still buy it again - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Like it, But! - January 28 - 10:26 pm

  Purchased March 1, 04. Since then I have had to return to the dealer to have the right front strut tightened, new carrier bearing, new transmission, new radio, to have the computer reset, and to pick up a new trunk light bulb. I currently have strut collers and bushings on order. But, with all this, the car handles as good as any Ive had, and this is #79. This car will get you looks, nice smiles and not once has anyone said anything bad after seeing everything it offers. Got $25,000? Offer the dealer $23,000 and drive it home. Power everything, great radio, leather, dual heat/air-power outside mirrors that tilt down in reverse. What else could you want?

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  2002 Rio Wagon - 2002 Kia Rio
  By mako787 - January 27 - 8:58 pm

  I just purchased a Cinco wagon in January with 106,000 miles on it. It was in excellent condition and I hoped to get a reliable car that was cheap to drive and maintain. I had an older Buick that had cost me a fortune and the engine was knocking so bad I was afraid it was going to throw a rod in my driveway. So far this Kia has been reliable except for the check engine light coming on abut five times now. First it was the O2 sensors that had already been changed out but I had to get another one anyway and then it was the gas cap. Now it came on again and I have no idea what it is this time. The car is noisy and has little power with the AC running.

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  Good value for the money - 2014 Kia Soul
  By CMR - January 23 - 12:11 pm

  I,was coming out of a toyota rav4 lease in March and due to a back problem I still needed a car that was easy to get into and out of. My friend suggested a KIA SOUL he was right. I visited my local dealer and drove a 2014 soul. Much to my surprise the seat was more comfortable then may RAV 4. Also the soul has a better fell. On the down side it needs better pick up for merging with traffic. Great second car for the money. So far no complaints.

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  My first SUV....not too shabby.... - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By pappy - January 23 - 12:06 pm

  The bottom line is I really, really like this car. Used all the reviews here on Edmunds(which were pretty spot on) and the USAA car buying help to get a good price in my mind before we headed out to the dealership. All said and done, paid $27,772(initial offer form the dealer was $28,900+). That includes: Leather throughout(Luxury package), crossbars, bluetooth, and 17 chrome wheels. Could have cared less about the wheels/bluetooth, but they were already on/installed and new laws in OR make already having the bluetooth great! 2,400 miles in and overall satisfied with the car. Oh, and the dealer used it as his personal car so it had 570 miles on it when we got it. Wife was pissed....