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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  Best bang for the buck, hands down - 2013 Kia Optima
  By jestmaty1 - November 28 - 10:35 am

  10 months and just shy of 9,000 miles and this car is getting better every day! Quick, stylish, and just plain fun to drive

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  my nice new grankid transport - 2016 Kia Sedona
  By stan grell - November 27 - 12:38 pm

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  Im a KIA lover now! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Tess68 - November 27 - 5:50 am

  My car just hit 68,000, besides a few dings (by others!) I have had no problems, just the rotors replaced. This has been a dependable family car, I drive 20 miles to work everyday through snow, ice, rain, and nice days without a problem. I am a very nervous person on the road in the Winter and this car has been great to me! Starting to make some rattles, and steering shake, I am praying this wont be a problem. I hear after 40-50,000 KIAS are having problems. Anybody out there have any as of yet with this year?

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  Soul is more than value for the dollar - 2014 Kia Soul
  By balkanattitude - November 26 - 10:40 am

  This is my second Kia Soul. I truly appreciate the quality of the vehicle, the handling of the vehicle, and the excellent fuel mileage. I have consistently exceeded the factory fuel mileage ratings. In addition, the Kia Soul has so many standard features that truly increase the value for the dollar. Many other cars would provided the Souls standard equipment as options to be purchased.

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  Great new compact challenger - 2010 Kia Forte
  By buck1nut - November 26 - 7:30 am

  After much research and test driving I decided to go with the Kia Forte EX. For what I paid I could not even touch anything from the competition. It certainly didnt hurt that it was the best looking and had the most standard HP of anything I compared. It has a very smooth ride for a compact car and plenty of pep to boot. This car is certainly worth a look for those considering Honda, Toyota, etc. However, after looking at this car you may not look back!

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  LOVE MY KIA - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Helen - November 24 - 1:50 am

  I have had 2 Dodge Caravans & would never own another one after purchasing our Kia Sedona. In the past 13 months we purchased it we have had no problems. It is GREAT to drive & very comfortable & dependable. My sister liked ours so much she went & purchased one.

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  Excellent Car - 2007 Kia Rio
  By Michiganpastor - November 23 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car brand new and now have over 106,000 miles on it. Ive had almost no problems. I replaced 2 wheel bearings and just now changed the front brake pads which still had life in them! I changed the timing belt at 60,000 by choice. It hadnt broken. Thats it. Everything else (except the tires) are original. Gas mileage is low 30s. They told me Id get 40mpg but that doesnt happen. I have an automatic by the way. And yesterday I hit a deer broadside at 55 mph and the car just kept on going! Never even knocked it out of lane. I was flabbergasted. Its $3100 in damage but I can still drive it. So far its been one of the best cars I ever bought.

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  Kia Optima - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Tim A - November 23 - 6:46 am

  I never thought I would own a KIA. After looking at the Mazada 3, and 6, the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry there was no comparison when you looked at what you got for your dollar. I am very satisfied with my dollar return, crash ratings and most importantly the warranty that was standard. Great car for the value. Look out Honda and Toyota.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By hek - November 22 - 7:59 pm

  Like most folks I was hesitant to buy anything Korean based on friends who actually bought them. After watching and researching the rise of both Hyundai and KIA I decided to give it go. I got a good deal thanks to having both a 2008 CRV and 1999 CRV which is what we used as a trade-in.Also, recent college grad helped as well. The 2011 KIA has its strong points and both Honda and Toyota better wake up. With 18s the KIA is definitely the more firm/harsh ride but also decidedly more sporty. The Honda has more cargo room and better visibility overall. The build quality is tight and the car pretty much sells itself which is a good thing because the dealers look like they need some upgrading.

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  Excellent Car in its Class - 2007 Kia Rio
  By mwide - November 19 - 8:06 pm

  The Kia Rio5 SX is actually a fine car. The mileage has been excellent (though not quite what Id expect), the ride is very good and the design is really eye-pleasing. Overall, no one who has been in and seen this car can believe that it is a Kia and that it comes in at such a low cost.