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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  We Love Our KIA! - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By bjohnsonstl - September 27 - 10:46 am

  We have had our Kia Sorento from Suntrup Kia in St. Louis for about 3 months now. We have been on 2 long trips (one 1600 miles round trip) and the car has performed very well. We love our Kia and will certainly be buying another Sorento in about 5 years.

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  What a great car!! - 2014 Kia Optima
  By vento84 - September 27 - 1:53 am

  I have a 14 optima sxl and I love it. If you are looking for a car around 40,000 definitely look at Kia. It drives beautifully the turbo is a must! Ok fuel economy .

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  21 year old whos content - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Jeffd5151 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  as my first "real" car, I was quite pleased with not only the purchase, but the actual car itself; Im 21,which means I like fast. I got it. Im 21, which means I like safety, I got 6 air bags, and side impact bars. Im 21, and I love my car. Its stable in the wind, (upwards of 50mph winds today in austin,tx) and the design rolls the rain right off; no fear of water spots. fun to drive, weather its my friends, or (gasp) my family.

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  Optima - 2004 Kia Optima
  By mark bailey - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Love it! Looks great, drive great, and there is enough room for my twins in the back seat.

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  GREAT VALUE! - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By nikki1274 - September 21 - 3:46 pm

  Great car all in all. I bought it in Feb 09 for $15,000. I was looking at used cars and found this to be cheaper brand new than the used 4 cyl. 07 Ford Escape. I love the way it drives and it looks awesome. VERY SPORTY!!! My only complaints are the tires wore out around 20,000 miles and it cost around $700 to get 4 new ones! Kia told us that the tires for this vehicle are expensive and thats just the way it is. Gas mileage is my other complaint when i fist bought the car I was getting almost 23 on the highway and after replacing the tires with "gas saver" tires I now get about 19.5 highway. No one seems to know why the mileage has gone down. Except for those things I LOVE THIS CAR!

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  Sorento Review - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By LX - September 19 - 3:23 pm

  I just recently purchased my Sorento. It is fun and easy to drive. There is a lot of leg room for the driver and for passengers . My boyfriend is 64 and fits comfortably in the drivers seat as well as the passenger seat. There are a lot of compartments in the back and a lot of space. I am really happy with my purchase.

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  LOVE, love this car! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Birgit White - September 19 - 7:03 am

  Awesome dependability. Great both in the city with a tight turning radius and on the highway with its peppy acceleration. Great in the crappy weather. The only issue I have ever had is that the paint chips easily. Have had the car for over 6 years, 130,000 miles.... Have spent less than $3000 maintenance. And thats including tires, brakes, oil changes, timing belt and transmission flush.

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  My new 3 word car... - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By nursenetty - September 19 - 12:57 am

  I traded in my BMW for a KIA Sorento that I bought from my future brother in law Mike Light. I have purchased many cars over my years and have left feeling anxious. Did I do the right thing etc. I have not felt that feeling at all. I got the same great deal that some of my co-workers have received. The only thing I miss is have the car tell me the temp outside. I bought the 4 cycl. I didnt need all the "bells and whistles" (which would have been awesome btw). This SUV drives smooth, roomy and great on gas!

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  Get a fun car - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By Jill - September 18 - 7:23 pm

  Just bought my first Kia. Usually as a workhorse we go with Hyundai (same company now) Love the Spectra5. The dealer was easy to work with, and after 40 years of buying cars, I had a good experience. I would recommend the buying experience alone, but the car also.

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  Great Fun, Great Price - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By OMALLEY - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I couldnt find a better SUV with in $12,000. PERIOD