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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  Dangerous car - 2002 Kia Optima
  By walkstick - March 22 - 10:06 pm

  As soon as I bought this car I started having electrical problems with the car. I would lose all lights, steering, brakes, and air bags for the vehicle. Kia was no help in finding the problem with my vehicle and I totaled the car in July 2005. The only good thing that saved my life was the seat belt installed in the car. There was a burning smell that came from the car and the dealership had a hard time duplicating the problem. They changed many items on my car but they were not sure they had fixed the problem and in some cases were scared to drive the vehicle themselves. Please report your car to the NHTSA if you have this problem so it can be fixed

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  First Time Buyer - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By KenL - March 22 - 2:36 am

  Looking for small SUV and tried both Honda and Toyota and found that this was best for the money. We have not done any highway driving but was getting initial 17 - 19 MPG. I replaced the air filter with K&N and now getting 23 - 26 around town. Pickup is slow but once it gets going it is fine, but with I wish it had 5 or 6 speed automatic. For the price of $20K with V6 auto, power everything, CD / MP3, sunroof, keyless with alarm, alloy wheels, upgraded interior, etc.

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  my first SUV, and I love it!!! - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By dan - March 21 - 10:23 pm

  I traded in my leased 2006 honda civic for a used 2006 sportage with 15,000 miles on it (basically new). I love the interior and exterior its a great ride. I actually find driving fun again for the first time since I was 16. Car has plenty of power, all the features you could want for a base v6 model. I lost some gas mileage when I traded civic in, but I knew that would happen and accepted it.

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  So Happy - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Cathy - March 20 - 3:10 pm

  Im so happy that I bought this car. I drive 45mins to and from work every day and is great on gas. I love is car.

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  Rollerskate - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Great Car - March 20 - 6:36 am

  32K and runs like a charm. My commuter car, comfortable, reliable (no squeaks, rattles, repairs). Great value. Would buy another Kia in a second.

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  100,000 miles - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By not_a_yob - March 19 - 11:50 pm

  Ive read through plenty of reviews, and the one thing I am noticing is that people are putting automatics in with the manual transmission, dont be daft please. The 2.0 DOHC 5spd standard transmission is great. I have over 100,000 miles on my car as it sits now still with the original clutch, and trust me when I say I havent been overly kind to my car. I have beat on it, driven long distances and over all drvien this car as if it were a rally car or enduro car, including some slight off roading and it still starts up with out arguement and gets up and goes like a propper little sprinter. I unexpectedly fell in love with the little bugger, and I expect the romance to continue on for awhile.

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  Well made in America - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By joncab5 - March 19 - 12:03 pm

  We have owned it for 18 months and have 28,500 miles. Not one problem yet, except some minor recalls. I really like the leather, climate controls, navi is just as good as Lexus. Great 3rd row when you need it. This car is perfect for our family and has done well on long trips.

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  excellant Car - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By Dan - March 17 - 3:10 pm

  All Around great car. A little rough over pot holes

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  Never Had an Issue - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By Kerensa - March 17 - 2:18 am

  I was trading up to this from a 2005 Ford Focus that I absolutely hated. I needed something a bit more roomy with better visibility. I bought this used with minimal miles on it. I sold it 3 years later because I needed something with AWD in it, otherwise I would have kept it. I did routine maintenance on it and never had one issue with how it drove.

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  Great Car - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Great Car - March 16 - 6:43 pm

  72,000 miles and not a squeak, rattle, or repair. Drives like the day it came out of the dealership. Wonderful car, great value.