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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  Fits the Bill and Budget - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Bryant - October 19 - 5:03 am

  Brand new sedan that looks beautiful in sand beige metallic, and light interior. Has all necessary amenities and many standard luxuries. Handles great with impressive speed on the open road, especially for a 4 cyl. Acceleration acceptable, but allow for somewhat sluggish start on freeway entry ramps, for example. Body is naturally low to ground, but very little road noise in a comfortable, easily controlled drive. For all-round usability, at a reasonable new car price, the Spectra sedan is a good buy with an outstanding warranty.

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  Cleaned out my wallet - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Bernice - October 19 - 4:10 am

  We bought this Spectra used at 32,000. Following year we put in a new clutch. We had 4 CV joints put in and now the Rack and Pinion is gone. Car is at 64000 miles. The dealership wants $1200 to replace. Called Kia and they offered no help. Have spent tons of money on this car and it always makes funny noises. I found a friend to replace rack with a used one for $250.00. I am stuck with this car for now but would never buy anything from KIA.

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  Not worth it - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Jesse - October 19 - 3:50 am

  This vehicle depreciates so fast the only reason to buy one new is if you plan on driving it until it needs to be junked (which probably wont be more than a few years)! You will NOT be able to trade this vehicle in at ANY point in its life. Ask ANY other dealership than a Kia dealer. I was guaranteed that I could trade this car in after a year, went back to the dealership and they wouldn’t do it, depreciated almost $10,000 in 1 year! More than half the cost of the car! If I could do it over again I would buy a Toyota or a Honda; better gas mileage (dont expect over 25 highway on this car) and better reliability. My car has gone back to the shop 3 times for the same problem in a year.

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  2013 Kia Sportage - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By darda71 - October 17 - 10:30 pm

  Great looking suv, great options standard..Remote start from factoring was a nice surprise, The UVO system is a nice feature, Ride is a little stiff but not horrible, but cornering is excellent.

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  No Regrets but some minor improvements - 2010 Kia Soul
  By AddyVet - October 17 - 5:13 am

  I got this car to upgrade from my ford focus. I remember seeing the soul in the commercial awhile back and kept saying i really like that car and the more i saw the commercial the more I wanted this car. Finally I saw the Soul at the dealer outside displayed wit all the doors open. I always said I would never get a car in red but the soul was awesome in red and plus it was the sport edition which was perfect. regrets in getting the soul, the car had a unique look a lot better then a cube and scion (those cars a horrible looking). Soul is just right with exterior design and also interior comfortable to drive in. Everyone keeps telling me the car is just right for me.

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  Happy, But Not PERFECTLY Happy - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By OhManti - October 17 - 2:20 am

  Contrary to some, I dont find the suspension loose or "floaty." The brakes are a bit too grippy for me. The rides wonderfully pleasant, would be dead quiet if the air intake wasnt so loud. Posh enough, but cheap very scratchable finish on the interior glossy bits. Wish it had a compass; Love the computer and gobs of great gadgetry otherwise. Happy with accelleration, at the stoplight and for passing, dont mind the lessor V6. Love the front end, back end cloys, though I think the trunks my favorite feature -- HUGE. CD changer slow loading. horn pathetic. blind spot in front. Saftey top notch. Eight way seats, but havent got comfortable on long trips.

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  Kia Sorento - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Mr Hank - October 16 - 8:33 pm

  With 14k miles behind me I am mostly satisfied with the purchase. Visually this is still one of the sharpest mid size suvs around for my money. Very solid build, well laid out interior and rugged exterior put the domestic models to shame. Four wheel drive works like a charm, engine has plenty of punch for highway cruising or zipping through traffic. Engine sounds a bit loud in passing gear and transmission seems unsophisticated and tends to shift at odd times. Gas mileage is also a big disappointment. Overall this vehicle offers a lot of bang for the buck and as long as it keeps humming along and I dont have to take advantage of the fantastic warranty offered it will serve its purpose.

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  We absolutely love this car - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By James - October 16 - 6:21 pm

  My wife and I just got the 2017 Kia Sorento SX V6 loaded with options and we absolutely love this crossover. The refinement and driving feel is luxury car like and its so comfortable and quiet on the road. We have driven Lexus, BMW and Acura and this vehicle is just as good if not better in many ways, especially for the price. Time will tell with reliability but so far we are in love with this great car.

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  Tired of Trucks?More Bang For your Bucks - 2003 Kia Rio
  By wetwelder - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Are you tired of driving your big dumb truck? Honestly, how often do you actually haul? Anyways, I traded my truck in for this sweet Rio for a cool $2.61 straight across trade. I love this car,Im 62" and I have plenty of room. 35 MPG Highway, rack and pinion steering,4 cylinder engine is very peppy and can beat most cars off the line, an excellent commuter! I love my KIA!

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  My Kia - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By George A. Bartnik - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I shopped all the mini vans on the market and found the Kia to offer more for my dollar then any other.I am 80 and now can drive for hours in comfort thanks to the power drivers seat. The ABS brakes while being soft still do their work well however it is a learning experience at first, The controls are well placed, handy ,and easy to read. The ride is very comfortable however the wind noise on the exzpressway needs improvement. At slow speed the sound is no problem