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:

• 

  I Love My Kia Sportage! - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Jerry - August 2 - 11:36 am

  My aging Blazer needed replacement. I did a lot of research before buying a small SUV. Initially, Kia was not on my list. My perceptions were based on the 90s cheap built Kia that mechanics discouraged buying. A happenstance visit to a Kia dealer changed all that. One week later I returned to purchase my Silver EX Luxury Edition Sportage. Why? Styling, bang for my $$, fuel economy and standard features found only as options on similar vehicles. Im not disappointed. The interior is plush and the exterior is eye-catching. The engine/transmission is what I expected and want - a nice balance between power and fuel economy. Summary - you wont be sorry. Believe me, Im particular!

• 

  They did this one right - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By bbigno - July 31 - 10:00 am

  In the past 3 months I have put over 8000 miles on my KIA, and every one was smooth. This vehicale was much more than I had expected. If the future continues like the past three months have, I will be a happy KIA owner.

• 

  Im in Love - 2016 Kia Forte
  By Jalee Finley - July 31 - 5:54 am

  I just purchased this car and I love everything about it!! There are three cons -(1) You cannot see the hood or front bumper despite how much you sit up or how close you sit to the steering wheel, and (2) you cannot see the back bumper, and (3) there is a small blind spot in the rear side views. That said, I love everything else about this car. I especially like the 6th gear and ability to downshift when needed. The audio could have been better, but I wont complain. The back seat is pretty spacious, and comfortable. The cup holders for the backseat are nice as well. If you have kids you will appreciate the plastic (instead of cloth or leather) on the backs of the front seats where their feet often touch/rest. This car has reinforced doors and PLENTY of airbags in case of collision.

• 

  Best Kept Secret in Imports - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By mechanic80 - July 30 - 2:23 am

  Finishing up seven months of ownership on this vehicle and I can honestly say that the Q45 Infinity that I traded is a distant memory. The build quality, fit and finish, ride and performance are everything that I expected and more! Still a head-turning style (a big part of the decision to buy) and now more recognized as the quality vehicle it is, this has got to be the bargain of the decade. Luxury AND affordability in the same package. Im gonna make sure I own some KIA stock.

• 

  Happy owner - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Rich Surface - July 29 - 12:10 pm

  Great car , bought 1 st one sold by Hurst Tx dealer on Friday and love car .

• 

  Kia Sorento EX An Unbelievable Value - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Doug Seaman - July 26 - 12:13 am

  This vehicle will take over many other top selling SUVs as its reputation gains credibility. When my wife said we WERE going to look at a Sorento I LAUGHED. I went along for the ride and was impressed. We also looked at Lexus, Trailblazer, Hyundai Tucson & Buick. Kia Sorento won hands down!

• 

  Great Affordable Commuter Vehicle - 2009 Kia Rio
  By student05 - July 25 - 10:33 am

  I bought this car a month ago and so far my experience with it has been great. I am a commuting college student so I was looking for something that was affordable and had good gas mileage. As far as performance goes I havent had any problems with acceleration and it handles fairly well. The interior of the vehicle is nice looking and doesnt feel cheap. One of my favorite features is the stereo system. I had installed an aftermarket system in my previous vehicle and was thinking of doing the same with this car. After listening to it though I think I have changed my mind because it sounds great for a factory system. Also, the AUX and USB inputs are great for MP3 players.

• 

  My best car yet. - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By williametc - July 24 - 4:42 pm

  I bought this car certified pre owned in august of 2009 and I loved everything about it. I bought it to replace my 99 GMC jimmy which honestly, I drove to hell and back. The spectra went right along with me as well; it was reliable, comfortable, and quick. Albeit, I only owned this car for a little over a year not once did anything go wrong with it. I am a 20 something guy, you can imagine how I drove this car and it held up every mile. It held all of my friend comfortably and the sound system was plenty loud enough for even myself. When someone eventually plowed right into me I came out only jostled and a few bruises, the car held up a lot better than you would think a KIA would.

• 

  My New Toy - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By C E Camacho - July 22 - 7:26 pm

  The Sorento was the last SUV in my list of cars I was contemplating buying. It fell right within my budget, and once I test drove it, I knew it would be the SUV Id be buying. I also spoke to a mechanic friend of mind who sold me on the Sorentos reliability and good looks. This is my first SUV and love the handling and security it gives me once inside.

• 

  BEST CAR EVER - 2010 Kia Soul
  By ADIZ - July 21 - 5:06 am

  I went looking for a new car for me and my dad and i took one look at the soul and fell in love with it. It will be my first car ever and very happy about the low price. VEry comfortable in side and does not make any sound on the highway the people that said it did are crazy. When i got it every girl in my school came and looked at it. they all wanted a ride. Best car for teen and people that want a party car!!