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:

• 

  Comfortable highway cruiser - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Rob - May 19 - 9:23 am

  Already took my Sedona on a 3,000 mile trip, and was surprised to have almost no aches and pains during that time. Besides great supportive seats, pros include good visibility and build quality/fit & finish. I like how its smaller then other mini-vans, which makes it easier to drive around town. Negatives include high Wind noise, and poor gas mileage. Acceleration could be a little better as well.

• 

  Surprisingly good - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By pickandpray - May 19 - 3:16 am

  We went to the dealer intending to buy a soul but after a test drive of the sportage, we were sold (space, trunk and power were pluses over the soul). Though it was more than we wanted to spend, it has proven to be a reasonably good choice with our limited budget. After 3 years, the only issues we have is the ignition switch which doesnt always sense the key is out and continues to beep as youre leaving the vehicle and the wide "A" pillars which can make a fairly large blind spot when you want to turn. The blue tooth phones voice recognition is spotty but is great when it works. Night visibility is mediocre without fogs (a must have). Original Tires lasted 52k miles.

• 

  The right balance - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Rob - May 15 - 5:36 pm

  I think Kia did a great job on finding the right balance between looks, safety, fuel economy and price. You usually have to trade gas economy for looks or price for safety. I have to drive 100 miles a day and this car gets me there as cheap as possible through initial cost and gas mileage. I have fun getting to work too.

• 

  Worth your consideration - 2011 Kia Soul
  By Soul_Driver - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I have a M/T+ with the audio upgrade. I like the roomy, SUV-like seating, while still getting good MPG and a low price tag. The interior is nice, though some plastics are easily scratched (but not as bad as 2010 Soul). The engine and transmission are older technology making driving performance just OK (i think this is how they kept the price so low). However, steering feel and braking are nice. I get exactly the EPA rating of 26-28mpg in mixed driving. I got a little over 31mpg on a purely highway trip. The feel of the manual shifter is not too good, but this can be easily upgraded aftermarket. My biggest complaint is 5th gear is not tall enough making RPM noticeably high above 70 mph.

• 

  2006 kia sportage fwd-problems - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Nanna56 - May 14 - 1:10 pm

  I purchased my KIA and loved it until 2 mo. after purchase, I left for Pa. to visit family. One hr. from destination it started shorting out. Acted like running out of gas-had half a tank. Had it towed to KIA Dealership, was told it was a filed out spark plug. Only replaced 1 spark plug. Went back to Vt. no problem. One month later left for Fl. One hour before destination started doing the same thing. Towed to KIA Dealership, after 3 days and a $250.00 car rental bill was told the problem was fuel pump. Has been fine since. Now my key will not turn in ignition everytime. Just came from KIA Dealership and will cost me $250.00- $300.00 for ignition.

• 

  tooo many trips back to the shop - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Ssnoah77 - May 11 - 2:00 am

  the truth of the matter is......Sedona is a nice van..that rides well....but a lot of things,little as they may be, go wrong with it. I mean, I have been back to the shop at least 12 times in just 6 months. Yes, it is true...but these are things that the dealer has to fix...like power seats, windows, mirrors, etc. So...if you dont want to go to the shop all time....look else where. My parents caravan is never in the shop....

• 

  Kia Improvement - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Poncebx - May 10 - 10:03 am

  It is a very good car but there is room for more improvement, like fuel economy, and back lumbar and an arm rest for the drive. Over all it is better then other SUV that I have had.

• 

  Unquestionably in love with this car! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By poolgirl78 - May 6 - 6:42 pm

  After months of research, and driving my friends and family crazy with car talk, I decided to buy the 2012 Kia Optima EX-Turbo in Snow White Pearl with the Premium package. Ive owned this car for 4 months now and taken it on a couple long distance trips; overall I am EXTREMELY happy with my purchase.

• 

  My Kia - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Pat - April 30 - 8:40 pm

  I needed and inexpensive vehicle quickly. I was plesantly surprised with my Sportage. I get about 20 MPG with the six cylinder engine.

• 

  Great Car, Greater Price!!! - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By JAGibson - April 29 - 10:30 am

  Bought a 2008 Rondo used, only 16,000 miles got the LX with the V6. Couldnt be happier space inside is great for having car seats, plenty of storage in the back ( I have the 5 seater) Very comfortable to ride, good pick up on the pedal. I dont have the annoying wind noise in the driver side. Just love it!