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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  Great Ride! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Jajaswanie - January 21 - 3:26 am

  I got my Soul a week ago, and it has really impressed me. I do a lot of city driving and I find the car is comfortable, quick, easy to maneuver, and spacious. My two teenage sons love it. I got the base model, and it is fun to drive.

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  Happy as a Clam - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By Happy Clam - January 20 - 2:40 am

  Wish Id bought 2 of these. Got the unbelieable price of $12985 (new car & delivery). Flawless experience so far. Really would buy another at this price instantly. But the new 09 are much more pricy. Complaints about lack of power are invalid. I used to be a Freeway Patrol Officer and Im happy with the power of the I4. Cant find anything wrong with the build or performance of this car. I love it. Get 20/25 mpg. My similar sized Camry I4 get 28/32. Its not sexy, but its beautiful.

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  best car I ever owned - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By waya37 - January 19 - 4:36 pm

  Bought the car as a repo, it had 33,000 miles on it. I drove it to New York and back several times, and numerous trips to Texas. The only thing I had to replace on this vehicle until this year was the power steering pump, and normal upkeep items like filters and belts etc. It still hardly uses any oil or other fluids for that matter, had to replace the the rack and pinion this year, but I feel that was due to the rocky roads its driven on on a daily basis. Over all its the best car I ever owned, and I would highly recommend it. Im no doubt going to buy another one when this one goes down for good.

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  New to Kia - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Adrian McGee - January 19 - 9:00 am

  Hey, I just bought my Sedona two months ago and I have been having problems with my sliding doors. After I close the passenger side door, the door will open by itself. I have been to the dealer three times so far. And the gas mileage is way off on the screen above the mirror. My gas light comes on when the screen will say I have about 40 more miles. Is it just me or what?

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  Love it! - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By hgusto - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Had been shopping around for a small SUV. I think I test drove all models out there, found that this had everything I wanted and needed for the price. Very affordable. My co-workers tell me it looks like a Lexus.

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  Unbelievable value - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By milwaukee_driver - January 18 - 5:43 am

  After researching, it seemed to be too good a value to be true. After purchasing, I cant believe that there arent more on the road. All of the amenities of a Lexus (except for the underpowered engine) at a fraction of the cost. Great ride - quiet and smooth on the highway. Controls are extensive and easily accessible. Very satisfied and Id be inclined to purchase another, especially if the engine gets upgraded (more power and/or better mileage).

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  First SUV - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By bstarrb80 - January 16 - 11:46 pm

  I always considered myself a sedan girl and the first time I test drove the new Sportage I was in love. It actually handles better than my car which was a 2002 Saturn L200. The gas mileage could be a little better.

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  Best Ride in Its Class - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By jacksonville12 - January 15 - 5:56 pm

  My fiance and I test drove a LOT of cars before test driving an 2006 Amanti on a whim. We immediately fell in love with the classic styling, the beautiful interior, and all the options. Then when we drove it we knew this was the car we were going to buy. It had BY FAR the smoothest ride and reminds us of a jaguar/bentley. This car is perfect for cruising the interstate and for comfort. It is not a sports car for those who want to drive curvy roads at 80 mph.

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  alot for your money - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By baseballmom1 - January 15 - 1:00 am

  THE BEST THING I FOUND ABOUT KIA IS THAT YOU GET ALOT FOR YOUR MONEY NOT ONLY WITH THE SEDONA BUT WITH ALL THEIR CARS. I LOVE THIS VAN. IS HAS FRONT AND REAR HEAT AND A/C I GOT A DVD PLAYER AND THE KIDS LOVE IT. IT CAME WITH 2 HEAD SETS! THE WARRANTY IS GREAT. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT WAS WONDERFUL!

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  Kazipster - 2005 Kia Rio
  By Homunculus Moonchild - January 14 - 11:13 pm

  I just purchased a Kia Rio Sedan and it is totally awesome. Great on Gas. The interior layout is pretty smooth. I especially enjoy the cup holders in the main console as well as the side door panels. This car zips around. I have a manual transmission because I do not like automatic I enjoy driving I find it to be much more interactive. I would definitely recommend the Rio to any one. I got the auto under $7,000 and it is basically a brand new car with 19k on it.