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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  Did I mention... - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By beamin2 - March 26 - 6:08 pm

  I had a BMW 5-series when I first got this van to drive my kids around. They (I have 3) were getting into fights in the BMW. This van solved the problem, with captains chairs in the middle and the third row in the back. Two years later, the BMW is gone, since I was never driving it. Either I had the kids, or was parking in a garage, or the weather was bad.... pretty soon, I was driving the van all the time.... ;)

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  Good Car/Sorry Mileage - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By singnchef - March 26 - 7:23 am

  We really like most everything about this car except the mileage. We only get 28-29 mpg on the highway and 21-22 in town. Dealer says there is nothing wrong and nothing they can do. I get better mileage out of my 91 Taurus with a 3.0 six. This is a good car, but Kia needs to do something about the mpgs.

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  Im Happy... - 2012 Kia Rio
  By mattman44 - March 22 - 4:28 am

  If youre looking for an SX with premium pkg, GOOD LUCK! There were 8 available east of Kansas when I looked. Traveled 350mi by train to get it. Features for price cant be beat. Things laid out well and user friendly. Smaller in back but bigger in front than Versa but Id prefer the styling to the smaller space. I hate the transmission. Manual in SX please! Gas debate - computer is 4mpg high. With math I get 38 each tank in 70/30 hwy+. Comp says 41-43. Forget ECO use manumatic in city. Hwy keep under 75 with steady foot. Dont drive like a moron and you can get good gas mileage. Comp reads 403 at fill up. I get btw 330 and 360 per tank. 6K miles so far, hope to get over 40 after break in.

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  so far kinda happy - 2005 Kia Rio
  By wondering13 - March 17 - 4:17 pm

  my only problem is the rack and pionion (spell check) is having to be redone thank god my dad is a mechanic..but no one can make the 2 lines that the new one doesnt come with..i love this car besides the frustration of getting it fixed. its my only car so its nerve racking...i had a ford taurus and that was a big NO NO...i have spent over 7,000 dollars on it in 3 years..dont buy a taurus..im hoping the kia doesnt need anything else cause im broke.. :( i have replaced a few things but because i wanted to..

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  Great value for money - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By beamin2 - March 17 - 11:11 am

  Bought this van in 2009 with 64k+ miles on it, for less than $7k. Have put on 25k miles in the last two years. I have probably spent $3k in repairs on it (struts, an airbag sensor, brake pads, regular service), but even for $10k its been a great value. And edmunds still values at 6k. :) Beats not having a car payment, and not afraid to get some beach sand in it!

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  My charcoal love - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By silkyt673 - March 14 - 6:06 pm

  I love this car. I have had it for two years and have not had one problem with it. Its versatile. I take it camping and sleep in the back. My father whos 62" and 340 fits comfortably in the back seat. There is nothing bad about this vehicle. I had a Toyota for 10 years prior to this vehicle and so far this one is just as reliable and comfortable.

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  Johns Review - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By John Stiene - March 14 - 3:13 pm

  What amazes me most is how quiet the interior is and how well the Sportage rides on rough roads. I am 6 ft tall and have ample legroom. When you slam the doors they sound solid. There is definitely quality put into this low cost vehicle not to mention the security or the great warranty.

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  Fun to drive, very economical - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By matchick - March 12 - 10:33 pm

  After 2 years and 52,000 miles, I still love this car. The seats could be more comfortable, but it is cute, runs great and is super fun to drive. I get about 32 miles to the gallon highway, so very easy on the pump. Non standard tires make replacements a bit pricey at about $125 per tire.

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  My First Kia - 2014 Kia Soul
  By bikeropa - March 11 - 12:03 am

  My first Kia, although Ive driven my brothers Soul (a 2011, I believe) a few hundred miles. This one is a big improvement in ride quality and noise! Its peppy enough for normal driving and my first tank returned 26 mpg in city driving. Im impressed with the number of features for the price (power locks, cruise, power windows, selectable steering control, Sirius, Bluetooth, etc.) on a base model. The one thing that I havent figured out yet is how to get the headrest further back (I usually wear a brimmed hat), as the adjustment shown in the manual gives very limited movement. Overall, though, Im very impressed!

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  Mirror Problems - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Oscar Zuniga - March 9 - 10:00 am

  I own a Kia 2005 Amanti and have always had problems with the side mirrors. The vehicle is equipped with switches that preset the seats and mirrors. Unfortunately, the mirrors do not go back to what you preset. That means that you have to constantly readjust the the mirrors. Im taking the vehicle to the dealer today, but it looks like other Kia Amanti owners have had problems with the mirrors and have just been given the run around by the dealers based on what I am reading on the internet. If you like AM radio, dont get this vehicle. AM reception is terrible.