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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  HOT! HOT! HOT! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By SF Bay Area Hottie - August 16 - 5:36 am

  Its HOT! Got 1st RED Sport in SF bay area. So many stares & people coming up to me in parking lots, etc. Everybody wants to know what it is & where they can get it. For a while, I just handed out the dealers business card! So fun to drive!Overall visibility is good cuz you sit a little higher up. Fits tall people-- had a 66 passenger & still more head room! Great at turns & U-turns-- no more 3-point turns for me! Audio system is the bomb-CD/Ipod/USB (just plug in USB flash drive & have TONS of music)and interior LIGHTS that pulse to music(yes, gimmicky & a little juvenile, but so very fun.)Go up steep hills & accelerate like a champ(turn off the econ-over-drive for more power.) I LOVE IT!

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  All I wanted & more - 2012 Kia Rio
  By davedito - August 13 - 3:05 am

  I purchased my 12 Rio 5 LX one year ago last month...almost 27,000 miles...and I could not be happier. A month after I bought it (at 2,000 miles), I drove from the Hill Country to Joshua Tree NP in southrn California, about 2,400 miles round trip. At 80mph, I averaged 35mph. Not what the sticker said for highway mileage, but they didnt test at those speeds, either. Sine then, I driven to Caprock Canyons, Angel Peak (NM), and Myrtle Beach, SC (averaged 40mpg at 70mph). I just love driving this thing. If youre not getting decent mileage, you must be doing something wrong. Seriously wrong.

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  Practical and reliable - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By April Vawter - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle because of its warranty after being talked-down-to by several used car dealers. It gets over 32 mpg, has lots of pick up and speed. The lumbar support helps my bad back where my former car, a Sable, left me uncofortable after a couple of hours. It has never needed a repair, and fills every need I currently have, including heavy mountain driving and coping with high gas prices. The only two down-sides I can think of are: the body seems to dent easily and it loses some power when the AC is on. Overall, its a great vehicle for the price and practical as well as comfortable and nicely designed.

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  Incredible Pearl White Finish - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Ben B - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Great value. We love this car. Handles well, comfortable ride, nice touches, like auto dimming mirror, 4-wheel disc brakes, and four airbags standard on the EX. Feels like a luxury car!

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  Great Car/Crossover - 2009 Kia Rondo
  By Thelma - August 9 - 4:50 am

  I wanted a bigger car than what I had, but not to big, as I need to lift my Kayaks on the roof, I tried a few different cars, and found the Rondo to be just what I wanted, it looks good and its fun to drive, all the dials and such are easy to reach/use. Its just a cute great car....

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  Nice compact SUV - 2016 Kia Sportage
  By CLYDE NOPHIL - August 9 - 2:17 am

  The 4cyl. is slugfest going up hill, and road noise/ wind noise is very noticeable, but overall nice Vehicle

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  Love This Car - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By Grandpappybear - August 8 - 10:26 am

  All used cars have their bugs, so far mine have been small problems, dealer service is expensive, but I still love this car. Most comfortable seats I have ever sat in! Im a big guy, 300 lbs, so thats great for 61". I have a few little noises going on, havent quite figured out what they are, but so far they have caused no problems. I bought it used also.

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  Get it with all the Options - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Idfend - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Cant understand why there arent more on the road. Price to Value cant be beat. Youll be glad you added all of the options without a significant price increase and get all the comforts of a luxury touring sedan. Spacious seating and trunk space. Dont take sharp curves at 90 mph; a little too much sway. Smooth,quiet ride. Grandpa says its the only car hes been in where he doesnt get a hum in his hearing aid.Dont pay sticker; shop it around. I got my loaded, black and black leather. With the current rebate youre looking at around $24,000. How can you beat that.

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  Great Buy - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Joe79 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I did so research on Vans before I bought it and this is definitly the best bang for the buck. The interior is very nice and well designed and the kids were so quiet on the trip home, it was unbelieveable

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  Impulse Purchase - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By First KIA - August 6 - 6:20 am

  This car handles the curves on the road very well. The gas mileage is excellent. I think its even better than the Ford Focus. I like the fact that it has a sporty look. The spoiler is a great addition. I needed a car, check out the dealership and price and rode off into the sunset with a brand new vehicle.