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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  nice little car - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Chris B - October 3 - 7:26 pm

  Im 511, 265 lbs. This car offers plenty of room and a great many stock features which all work well. I do have some complaints however. The pillars on the front windshield can be difficult to see around and I have removed the headrests because of visibility issues as well. The shift gate is an absolute nuisance when trying to go from "D" to "R". The key fob frequently opens my trunk because of additional keys in my pocket, but thats pretty nit-picky. Stock tires bad - I put "winters" on this year to manage that. All in all, a sound vehicle at a terrific price warranties are questionable only because of the difference between dealerships. Seat adjustment are just ok.

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  LOVE My Serento....At First - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By kimcar23 - October 3 - 12:11 pm

  Was the first time I spent over 25,000.00 for a car. Had what I thought were minor problems the first 3000 miles. Radio would not come on when I stated car, iPod accessory would not work, back seat rattled when driving on any surface. Radio problem fixed(I thought) and complain about seats and vibration everytime I bring in for oil change. Tires rotated twice, no help. Sometimeswhen I start AC will not come one or the radio will not come on,driver side window will not want to come up. Now I went to park my car and would not go into park. Then I could not get my brake to press in so I could start car. In shop now. Everytime I hear we could duplicate problem or nothing wrong was found.

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  Safety questionable - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Heather - October 2 - 9:46 pm

  I recently was in a bad accident with my Kia Spectra 2006 has no more than 9,000 miles. I hit an oncoming vehicle with my left front into their left front at 60 miles per hour. My front end is pushed in and ripped most of it off and none of the air bags deployed. The auto body shop along with the Deputy on the scene stated there is no reason that the air bags should have not went off. This incident is currently under investigation with Kia. I have three young children and I bought the car because it was supposed to be a safe car, and then this happens. I have a friend that also just got into an accident, rolled his Kia and the air bags in that vehicle did not deploy either.

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  Love it - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Perry White - October 2 - 3:33 am

  I love this van. They the reviewers keep commenting on the weight. As far as power for the weight I have no problem she gets to the interstate speeds real quick. I think when Kia is around for a while and skeptics like me buy them then watch out all the optioned out overpriced competition.The way I see it the competition is going to do all they can to make Kia look bad. If you stay out of the pedal you can stretch the so so gas milage. Nice ride,nice handling and more power than I am going to need. Oh I forgot the interior is not gaudy and just enough for the average non show-off. Traded in a Spectra 2002 60000 on it loved it also.Kia will bring the resale value with time. Good job.

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  great van!! - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By kimpap - October 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive had little problems with my van at all - and Ive put it through some serious testing. Ive had great service at the service dept. and they have done way more than I ever expected. I have friends that have more problems with their Toyota Camry and GMC truck than I have with my Kia. Its our first new car and we couldnt be happier!

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  Go KIA! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Martha M - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I am so glad I did research before hand and bought the KIA. If I spent the same amount on a caravan, I never would have gotten all the features I wanted and needed. Best buy for my money and my budget.

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  GOOD CAR AND MPG - 2012 Kia Optima
  By cde5151 - September 30 - 7:56 am

  Had the optima 1 month, have put on a 1000 miles, has total of 21432 miles now. comfort fairly good, I am 62. I think the car looks great. Can fit 4 adults, 5 would be a tight fit. A lot of talk about poor mpg. I drive 40 miles a day. 30 miles on hwy and 10 a day in the city(Lawrence, Ks.)I average 32 mpg so far. So no complaints here,,,...

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  Soul is a Plus - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Kirk - September 30 - 6:50 am

  Ive had my soul + a week. 2.0L automatic has enough pep for me, but then Ive never been a gunner. I really like the vision I have when driving this vehicle. The seat is as high as many of the mid-level SUVs. More space than most of the Japanese wagons/cross-overs in its price range. I would have like to had saved $$$ off the MSRP; but they wouldnt budge. Not a good buying experience; but Im enjoying the car.

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  Not happy at this time - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By lisamil - September 30 - 4:16 am

  I purchased my Kia April 2010. The dealer suggested that we buy the Simonize package, what a mistake that was. When I picked up the car, after being simonized it still had bugs on the mirror and the front of the car. Well it gets worse, the seats were simonized as well, now every time a drop of water gets on the seat, it makes a spot. I have contacted the dealership and trying to get this resolved, so far nothing, but Im hoping that they will fix this mess. It looks horrible and Im very dissatisfied with the seat issue. Water stains the seats, body sweat or anything that touches the seats make spots on them.

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  Our 2005 Kia Optima - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Roy Deamer - September 29 - 1:36 pm

  My wife and I bought this car because of the 10 yr, 100,000 mile warranty. I really do like this car, it is fun to drive and I surprise a lot of people with the accelleration and power this car has. The only drawback to it so far has been the gas mileage, it only gets about 25 hwy and 20 city, but I still like the car. Kia could have a real jewel with this car if they install and overdrive gear, this car would get 30 to 35 mpg, easy.