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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  Much More than You Think - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By HMeyer - November 20 - 5:10 am

  I disagree with those who test drove this car. I drove from Seattle to Green Bay doing 600 miles a day in November and the car virtually hummed. The drive was the most exceptional drive I have made in a car and I was never more comfortable. In other cars, I would be adjusting the seat several times during the daily drive. I never touched the seat controls on the Amanti. I take issue with consumers being told to look at the Buick, or the Toyota. Why? This car has exceptional performance. I had no stability problems and I was driving thru some windy mountain passes. I have been in the snow now for a month. The car has been in subzero temperatures and it hums along every day. Great Buy!

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  Black is black... - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By davemoris1966 - November 19 - 5:56 pm

  Great car! I checked out a lot of cars. I sold cars for over 10 years, so I know what to look for. I was amazed that "KIA" quality had surpassed Hyundai, and in some cases the Japanese imports as well! I drove the 5 speed and I know it has a lot more pep. But I was quite pleased with the overall performance of the automatic. So the auto won out. Its black and handles great. I took it to the coast first weekend so I could drive on the beach...what a blast! My only complaint is I wanted the power moonroof but you have to get the ABS option as well (package). And I did not want ABS, so no sunroof. All in all a great car!

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  Amazing - I never thought twice - 2010 Kia Soul
  By tyhollis - November 18 - 2:03 am

  I went to the dealership to buy the new, trendy Kia Forte Koup. The salesman finally convinced me to test- drive a dune-colored Soul. All I can say is - test drive it!!! What a fun car to drive. Loaded - sunroof, bluetooth, Mp3 CD, USB/iPod jacks, steering wheel control buttons to everything, herringbone seats, speakers that strobe with my music, satellite radio...my friends love this car, I love this car, and most of all, I love hearing "that car is so you". Because it is - its different and it catches eyes. I also thing its a lot sleeker that its Scion / Cube counterparts. Trust me...just test-drive it.

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  Great Little Car - 2013 Kia Rio
  By Dan Ferguson - November 17 - 1:50 am

  I love this car. My wife and I bought it about 1 year ago used and it has not given us any trouble. Had 21000 K miles on it when we bought it and weve now got 37000 K miles now. Will be giving this to our daughter, though as she just finished med school and needs a reliable little car where she lives. Shipping it to her today. Got the LX package and it didnt have a few items that I added. For one thing, it had no cruise control, but theres an OEM change that you can do through your steering wheel to add it. Works like a charm. Would not hesitate to buy again.

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  My Review - 2013 Kia Soul
  By Bill Bartlett - November 15 - 7:36 pm

  I love this auto. So very roomy inside it really surprised me. So comfortable to get inside and out. I owned a 1960 Austin Healey 3000. I always compare this autos steering to that car. It handles beautifully. My friends are always very surprised at the comfort. The large engine is really zippy. I just have no complaints against this auto.

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  Best Midsize Car for 2011 Update #3 - 2011 Kia Optima
  By dankocke - November 14 - 9:54 pm

  Left Pull Issue 90% eliminated by getting new tires. I was very hesistent about going this route as Kia would not offer to do this for me. Ive read the discussions on Kia forums and people who changed tires had success. Luckily I was one of them. I went with Yokahama Avid Envigors about $100 each and the fun factor has returned to this car 100 fold. These new tires handle much better, are better in the rain and provide good road feel with a much better pronounced on-center feel. Otherwise, my Optima is performing well. With the sweltering heat my mileage has been between 27 and 29mpg commuting to work and back.

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  Great Buy! - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Cjacks - November 13 - 10:23 am

  I did my research before purchasing the KIA; you have always here how KIA is cheap. I find nothing about my Sportage cheap, compared with the Escape, Sorento, and Tribute. The sleek design, great price, and KIA warranty sold me on the Sportage. I have enjoyed how it handles and the room in a small SUV. Gas mileage around town; I am getting around 19mpg. On a trip we get 25mpg. Not bad for SUV.

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  I love driving this car - 2010 Kia Soul
  By 1Linda - November 13 - 4:13 am

  I love driving this car. I love the room and not visiting the gas station as often anymore. I do recommend this car. It is small on the outside but big on the inside.

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  Great Value - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Kia In The Gorge - November 12 - 10:30 pm

  Bought the EX 4wd with every available option Feels safe when driving, heated leather seats feel good on cool days, power sunroof is nice. Takes corners good, mileage better that some 4wd, but always could be better, we average 22 hwy/city driving. Love the rubber tray in cargo area, easy to clean, reclining rear seats are a hit, grocery bag net in back is sweet, leather nice but not the finest grade. The cost is about what you would pay for a used SUV but you get the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. Good stuff. Back seat has lots of leg room, Im 63" and dont mind sitting there.

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  Great Car! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By jason33 - November 11 - 5:06 am

  We bought this sporty Kia after much research. We looked at and drove the Mazda 3, Honda Civic, Toyota Corrola,and Scion Tc, hands down the Forte was the winner. We got leather heated seats, 2.4 liter engine, moon roof, tinted windows and 17 inch wheels, for $20,130 minus rebates of,1,000 and a 500 dollar owner loyalty rebate (traded in an 2002 Kia sportage) so $18,630 out the door. The Mazda, toyota and Honda were all over $24,000 with no rebate and warranty that cant compare. This Kia is built well. And Kia has improved by leaps and bounds since my 2002 sportage was built. We love this car, it performs as well or better than the competition. I cant say enough good about our little Kia!