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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  Happy with Kia - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By Rick - June 15 - 3:13 pm

  Looking for an inexpensive new car? Look no further. I just purchased the Spectra and couldnt be happier. Great warranty, fun to drive, and comfortable, compaired to my SUV, the gas guage doesnt move. Overall, Im very happy with the purchase, and the Kia network of services.

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  Love it!!!! - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By MELANIE TAYLOR - June 13 - 6:20 am

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  I love this car! - 2005 Kia Optima
  By rockport3 - June 13 - 1:46 am

  I totaled a Honda Civic, and rented an identical Kia for 2 weeks. I liked it so much I bought one! Compared to the Civic, this car has much greater visibility, greater safety features, and equal economy. The headlights are brighter and covered 1/3 more area, and the Kia is the quietest car I have ever owned, better than a Caprice Classic. The seats are a luxury and I am far safer in this car. I used the balance of the 60,000 mile warranty at 3 different dealers, who were far more courteous than any GM rival! A happier owner you will not find!

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  Loved It! - 2006 Kia Optima
  By LuvMyKia - June 11 - 5:53 pm

  I really loved my Kia. It is so unassuming. I used to be a person who frowned on a Kia. After test driving a few cars and being disappointed with their get up and go (Honda Civic included). The dealer brought the Optima out. I put my foot on the gas and was GONE! Smooth ride, great on gas... I love it!

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  MY FIRST CAR - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Sherman - June 11 - 3:20 pm

  I have a 2002 Kia Rio and I had for about one year now and I have nothing but good things to say about this car. This is my first car and luckily it is a very good one. When I first bought this car I was a little leery because I grew up an American car lover and this one was Korean. Second I was concerned about the performance factor since it only has 96 horsepower. All my worries were put to sleep when I had the car for a day and the way it handled and the surprising snap it had for only 96 horsepower. Next is the reliability; in the 11 months I owned it the car never gave a sign of problems. The only money spent was for maintenance and the crazy wheels, paint and engine upgrade. great car.

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  Great Value - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Jae Kim - June 11 - 10:00 am

  Just picked up this car. Engine is a little weak but what do you expect out of a economy car? Its fine with the 5 speed. The shifter is a little hard but Im sure once I put miles on it, it will smooth out. Great car for a first time buyer. And great price. Paid $8200 cash with rebates and loyalty rebates. There is even a military rebate. Second Kia (first one a sedona, great minivan) and Im loving them both.

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  We love ours - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Kris - June 11 - 8:53 am

  Except for the low miles per gallon, we like our Sedona. We were in a minor wreck and because it is quite a sturdy van, you can barely tell. We used to have a Ford Windstar, and in that particular wreck, we would have seen a lot of crumpling. For the low price, this is an excellent choice.

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  Better than I expected - 2008 Kia Rio
  By Aaron Salinas Jr - June 10 - 2:06 pm

  I bought the car for my wife to drive to work and save money in gas. Best thing I ever did we went from 12 to 14 miles to the gallon in the city to 26 to 28 to the gallon in the city. We cut our gas bill from $75 to $30 per week. I cannot wait to get it on the highway to see how many miles I can get. I also bought the car because I am not a small guy and when I first sat in the Rio I was able to get in and out with out hitting my head on the roof. The space was also a factor and the Rio was a perfect size for wife and me. The interior has enough space to place the 3 kids in the back seat and stuff in the trunk.

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  Love my Soul!!! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Geekyali - June 10 - 11:03 am

  I love my soul. It is fun to drive; from the gas station to the grocery store, people are always asking me about it. Can fit 2 kids in back comfortably, 3 small ones if necessary. Being a smaller person (only 5 feet tall), it is very comfortable. Love the bluetooth and the hand controls. It is quiet and reasonably priced for a city driver.

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  2007 Kia Rondo LX Wagon - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By dannothemanno - June 9 - 1:46 pm

  This is my second Kia and am even more impressed with the Rondo than I was with my Sephia. Great ride, great comfort, great features, great price, we opted for the 100k/10 year warranty (bumper to bumper) for an extra 1k which translates to no worries for a very long time. My wife and I love it as a "touring car" with those great windows we can take in all the great views.