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:

• 

  Simply Amazing! - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Davester - September 17 - 8:00 am

  This is the third car that I have ever had and all I can say is, wow! This has to be the single most economic car that I have ever owned. I have put 20,000+ miles and not one single problem. Have driven it New Jersey to Florida with no worries. This little speed demon has the right handling, acceleration and packs a mean punch. I do have one complaint about the car though, I cant stop driving it! Highly recommend this car to anyone who wants a fun, reliable, safe, and down right incredible vehicle to own!

• 

  Best Car I have ever owned - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By andrewm1 - September 16 - 3:28 pm

  I have owned and driven many cars in my 26 years of driving and can honestly say that the Kia Sorento is the best car I have ever driven.I am a big 6 foot 3 300lb+ guy and the front seat driving position has the most room I have ever had in any car/suv.I am very comfortable and never feel cramped or strained in the seat.The 4Cyl 6 speed automatic is fine for me.The car is incredibly quiet on the road and often sounds like it is not on.The suspension is very smooth and there is no body lean whatsoever with this car.The turning radius is incredible.The interior design is high end and the exterior is more masculine than other "girly cars".I love this CUV and am glad I bought it.

• 

  Awesome Wagon - 2002 Kia Rio
  By kialover15 - September 12 - 6:26 pm

  We recently bought a 2002 Rio Cinco, and we are loving our decision. This car was purchased by my grandfather. This is his work car, and soon, I will share it with him. (I get my license in July.) We sold a 1994 Cadillac Deville. A nice Caddy, no problems, but with gas at 4.18 a gallon, there was no option but to sell it. Once we got the Rio, we were a little unhappy, no AC, but when we filled it up for the first time a got 31 mpg, we were fine with no air. The gas mileage kept getting better too. The highest is 34 mpg, complete city! Great car!!

• 

  Great SUV for your $$$ - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Danielle - September 11 - 10:23 am

  I really like all of the neat features that come standard with the vehicle. For example, something as small as the shopping bag hooks in the back are very female-friendly for all those female shoppers out there like myself.

• 

  Lovin It - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Misser - September 11 - 4:50 am

  I just bought a Spectra EX, with the moonroof, rear spoiler, and alloy wheels and Im lovin it. My husband is 65" and we were replacing my Chevy Lumina and looking for something I liked but he could fit into. All other cars this size (Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Camry) all very uncomfortable for him. We went to look at a Sportage and while at the dealership I saw the Spectra, love at first sight, he got in and had LOTS of room. Took it for a test drive, loved the pick up it has for a 4 cylinder. Interior very comfortable, TONS of space, large trunk. The car is an optical illusion, so much interior space in a smaller car. Love the warranties, cant beat them.

• 

  Lovin this car so far! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By JAG14004 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I found this to be the best new car deal in its class at the present time. This car rides smooth, and is roomy enough for 4 people to ride in comfortably. The shifting is smooth, as is the braking. Handles curves really well. Minor vibration felt while ideling. Good sound system.

• 

  im satisfied so far - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By mike40 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Sedona 4 days now, i know thats not enough time to really critique it, but i really like it!!, plenty of storage inside, ( i especially like the lock box under the passenger seat!). And the very peppy engine is a shocker to me, no wimpy 4cylinder here!!!,but the real kicker is the warranty!!! Ford, Chevy, Dodge,and host of others cant even come close!!!!!. Its good to know that when i make my last payment on my van there will be warranty left on it!!!!!!!

• 

  Lots of luxury features in mainstream prices - 2018 Kia Sorento
  By Ashgreen - September 7 - 9:28 am

  We shopped around for Mid size/compact SUV. After trying CRV, CX-5, Tiguan, Pilot, Highlander we settled down on Kia Sorento. The size is just right with lots of room for front and mid row passengers. The third row is good to have. The V6 engine is perfect for the weight of the vehicle to accelerate. The car handling is very nice with active safety features. The warranty is just great, gives peace of mind for 5 years bumper to bumper and 10yrs/100K on transmission. We have owned Toyotas and Lexus cars before and change to Kia brand was a big decision, we are glad we did make that right.

• 

  Great Value - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Kevin Bartosz - September 7 - 8:53 am

  I am a 40 years old male 6 ft 200 lbs. that drives 55 miles each way to work daily in western NY. Historically a V6 sedan man but the 4 cyl engine is more than adequate especially with the timing chain vs belt. The miles that I put on that the chain saves a $400 preventative maintenance every 2 years (60,000 K). Suspension and ride is good and headlights at night as well. Taller ground clearance 6.3 inches will help in the winter. I have only 1200 miles on it so the MPG is low 27 the first tank and 29 the second. After break in I expect 34-35. With the long warranty, big time incentives and KIA having a few ears under their belt, it is the best valued import if you are buying.

• 

  Windstar No More - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By robleyw - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Traded our 99 Windstar. Love the Sedona! 2002 Sedona EX: Sun roof, HomeLink, Emerald Green / Silver two-tone with dark gray cloth interior. All for less than $20,500! About 1200 miles on it now and it just keeps getting better and better. EPA mileage ratings way low (15/20) - we see 17.5 to 18 in the city. This van is better than the Windstar in every respect. And the warranty: Wow!