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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  My little Kia - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By just_asks - November 24 - 10:00 am

  Watch out for the OVerDrive components, but the car is otherwise great!

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  Good Mini SUV for small families - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By SFBrown - November 24 - 10:00 am

  This has been a good SUV, but the back seat is no where near big enough. Isnt good for families. Has been good on fuel and is a smooth ride.

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  what a great car - 2002 Kia Rio
  By adam` - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I love this car it has filled my expectations and more(and I have always loved korean cars)!!!! Very reliable and fun to drive. It feels like a very well put together car! (I already have 2500 miles on it)

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  So far so good.. - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By mmr5656 - November 23 - 6:22 pm

  Ive been in my KIA Sportage going on three weeks now... I just got out of spending 8 years in a Ford F-250 Super Duty 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel Truck. Prior to this truck I was in two Ford F150 trucks. So... Ive been in trucks for the last 18 years now.. Now Im in a 2012 KIA Sportage SUV.. The only thing I need to get used too is the fact that the headlights in my side and rear view mirrors tends to blind me me since before when I was in my trucks I was sitting up high and never had that problem. And the fact the windows and side mirrrors are much smaller than on my last truck. I give this SUV five stars for "Fun to drive".. "MPG.. "Good looks".. "Quality".. "Smart Engineering"

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  We love Sedona - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By Ricardo Duque - November 23 - 5:46 pm

  We test drove an Odyssey, Sienna and the Sedona, and the Sedona is equal or better than the other 2. We were very disappointed with the Sienna fit and finish. The Sedona is a excellent van, with very good power, comfort, road manners and price (the Sedona is not cheap as it used to be but this model is far superior than the older design). My gas mileage in the city is around 16 and 26 in the highway, I am pleased with the fuel economy, I know it will improve when the engine breaks in. We really enjoy driving this car, my children love the comfort and the DVD.

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  I dont think you can do better f - 2009 Kia Rondo
  By Sloppy - November 23 - 1:26 am

  Bought it new,now has 20k km. this is an 09 EX 5 seater 2.4l. No other car offers ABS, ESC,traction control and 4 wheel discs, heated seats, mirrors and a WIPER de-icer! in this class or for the money. The four cylinder engine is smooth and you can barely hear it at idle. I dont understand people complaining about a lack of power. Top of second gear is over 60 mph, how much freeway merging power do you need? Build quality is second to none in my opinion. Quiet inside, very roomy, standard 6 speaker stereo is excellent, with Bluetooth and a USB port as well. Steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls. Nicely weighted steering. Very smooth to drive. There is very little not too like

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  quicker than you expect - 2012 Kia Forte
  By rb7385899 - November 23 - 1:20 am

  I have the hatch with the 2.4 liter. this is a seriously fast car (for its class/price) with 0-60 in about 7 seconds (A/T). ive owned mine since february 2011, and have about 11,000 miles on it. no service issues so far.

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  Under-rated car, 5speed GSX is KING!! - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By natedawg - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Very fun, economical, practical and sporty car. I really am pleased with the car. The hatchback GSX allows me to throw whatever I need in there. Ive had a few electrical problems with the cruise control and dash lights but both are fixed now. The car warms up quick in the winter, very economical to drive (40+mpg) driving it nice. No transimisson problems with the 5 speed!

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  Buying the unknown - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Ron Martin - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I like the Amanti’s quirky exterior style, it is different. The transmission shifts effortlessly. The leather seats are soft and comfortable and the seat warmers provide fast and uniform heat to the bottom and backs of the seats. The standard 17" alloy wheels look stylish. The interior is very spacious with ample head and legroom. The interior is elegant with pseudo wood grain accents throughout the entire passenger compartment. The car engine warms up quickly and is ready to provide heat, via independent dual and rear climate controls. Really, the only down is the low mileage.

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  Great vehicle - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Bravo - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I love my Kia. I get alot of complaments from people I know and dont know. The ride is smooth and it is an affordable suv with luxury options. It looks like a lexus, feels like one, has all the options for half the price. Overall this is a great vehicle. My next vehicle will be a newer model of the Sorento.