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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  The Good, the Bad & the Ugly... - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Single Mom w/2 teens - March 16 - 7:43 am

  My car is only two months *new*. I have a 4-door sedan, automatic, air- cond., am/fm/cd and the upgrade pkg. but no power windows/doorlocks. A bit hard getting used to NOT having those in a car but I can live without it. There is plenty of interior space for those sitting up front, however, those sitting in back have relatively NO LEG ROOM. Door handles etc. inside are obviously cheap plastic and somewhat ugly though functional. Engine needs more power, especially driving uphill on freeways as well as simply trying to pick up speed to merge onto a freeway or to pass other vehicles. Fuel economy is great! Overall decent and driveable car for the price.

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  Im Glad I Got A KIA Spectra EX - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By JoshUNC - March 16 - 7:26 am

  After comparing prices on the 07 to the new 09 KIA Spectra EX I decided to go with the 09 mainly based on price and having full warranty. I give this car straight 9s across the board... very happy with my purchase so far. I have even used the roadside service because I left my lights on and ran my battery dead. Called kia and they sent someone with no problems and limited info. They even called me back to make sure someone came to help. Will buy a KIA again!

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  I Love My Kia Rio Because Its Cheap - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Flashturner - March 15 - 11:46 am

  Like the title says, I love my Kia Rio because its cheap. Where can you purchase a brand new car for $8,000 with a 10 year/100,000 miles warranty except Kia? I also purchased the 7 year/100,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty. Havent had a chance to use it because the car is like the Eveready Energizer bunny. It has the pep of the Pontiac Solstice or Saturn Sky. Its also fun to drive and a miser with gas. I fill up every two to three weeks at $25. Cant beat that with a stick. I must say the car is not put together with the best and strongest materials, but what do you expect for $8,000. Ive noticed that the price has gone up and you cant get the great warranty anymore.

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  I love my new Spectra! - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Diskjokk - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Yup, I read Edmunds report before I purchased my new 2003 Kia Spectra. And for those of us who have read it, we know its not a favorable review. After spending a few days with the car, I will have to agree with the Edmunds report that the brakes seem a bit weak and the interior seems a bit "cheaper" when comparing it to a 2003 Focus or Neon. However, what my Spectra does provide me with is an awesome looking automobile with a 10 year warranty. The interior is very roomy and the seating is comfortable. The car does seem very responsive when driven. I think its a pretty neat car and it has grown on me a great deal.

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  So far, so Good - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Ivory_babe4u - March 15 - 2:00 am

  I just bought the Sorento 4x4 on the 14th of March 2003. I love it so far! www.kia.com Check them out. I went online and picked out features I wanted. Called my car company and they had the exact one just coming in. Is that service or what? like when you take the key out and you left your lights on, when you open the drivers side door the lights automatically go off! I have been caught more than 1x needing a jump. :-) I also like the features that windows work after key is removed from ignition until drivers side door opens. This is my second Kia vehicle.

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  Walk away dont ever buy - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Momof4boys - March 13 - 5:00 am

  I bought this van new just because of the middle windows went down.. Wow was that a huge mistake. At 15,000 miles we couldnt even get the thing to start and forget about the 100000 mile warranty they didnt want to fix a thing. At about 25,000 miles the engine started to go and made all sorts of noises. This was one of the worst vans I have ever owned.

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  Great car for a great price. - 2005 Kia Rio
  By autooracle - March 13 - 4:46 am

  Great used car buy. Reliable, peppy, quiet and well engineered. Save thousands of of a comparable Honda or Toyota. The manufacturer offers a 10 year 100k mile warranty for those who buy new. That warranty drops to 6/60k powertrain as a pre-owned car.

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  120,000 and still running great - 2002 Kia Rio
  By bl - March 12 - 9:46 pm

  My cinco has been the most reliable car Ive ever owned. Im so happy with it Im buying another kia. Why cant we build cars this reliable. I only wish they put a light in the glove compartment.

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  Buy a coleman grill instead - 2012 Kia Forte
  By krkelsoe - March 12 - 8:08 pm

  Well, I bought mine brand new in December. Took her off the lot with 33 miles. I added a lowering kit, 20" wheels, and exhaust. I loved that car. It was fun to drive, but pretty slow. Still really caught a lot of looks though... But then I was driving home from buying bread last week and she went up in flames in mere minutes. Not sure what happened, and its under investigation with Kia. It only had 8,900 miles on it. Just feel like people should know. If I had kids in the back or was disabled or slow-moving, there could have been serious injuries.

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  great car - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By nathan gerlt - March 12 - 5:53 pm

  This is a great family car it has a sporty look and the speed , yet it has all the protection you would need for your family. I love the way this drives and handles!!!!