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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  New car - 2004 Kia Rio
  By itsmecloie - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased a 2003 leftover, I was leary at first because the Kia company has not been around for long but I am VERY happy with the Rio. Its small but has lots of room, Its sporty and the fuel economy is incredible!

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  Spectras are POS - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By pizz - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Spectra in July of 2003. I have had so many things wrong with it since I got it. Right now my clear coat is coming off my car. They are not a good car in the winter because they are so lite. The total amount of time I have taken my car in to get fix in the short time that I have had this car is seven. They might have a good warrenty on it but they wouldnt need to if they made a good car. I know many other people who own a 2002 Spectra and one had to but a new motor in it at 44,000 miles and another one has to get a transmission in the car. No wonder why these cars are cheap.

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  AWSOME - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By SherryBaby - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Its a wonderful car. I have not one complaint what so ever. I owned the Kia Shepia prior to my Spectraand im a Kia gal all tha way.

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  Jaguabenz Car - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Roger - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for a unique, stylish car with a great drive and ride. The Amanti accomplomplishes all of this plus much more. Most people initially think it might be a Jaguar with a Mercedes Benz flair. Toss in a little bit of Lincoln Town car and you end up with one fashionable vehicle.

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  More for your buck - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By jgal - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased my Kia, so I am hoping it will stay as reliable and great as it seems. I researched reviews from various sources and all said Kia has become a good car and you can get more for your money. I dont think their low prices will last if these great reviews keep up. I think this van fully loaded would cost at least 10K more if it was a Toyota or Honda, etc. yet it provides the same comfort, reliability, and options.

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  Incredible Buy - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Chinchorro7500 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Im delighted to rate this vehicle so highly. I started out just looking for a minivan with high saftey ratings for the family, but I am very pleased with the value and the extras I received with my purchase of the Kia Sedona. I really didnt expect much in terms of the interior, and it could - perhaps - be a bit more stylish, but it is so comfortable! Ive sat in all of the seats and cant believe how much more comfortable the Sedona is than my previous minivan (a Plymouth Voyager). The 10 yr powertrain, 5 year bumper-to- bumber, 5 year maintainence, and 5 year road side service cant be beat.

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  Great deal - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By HappyNewKiaOwner - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Just picked up my new Kia Sedona EX yesterday. We love it. We got ABS, Leather and Homelink for 21,500 + tax. Has many nice features. Rides well, easily power enough for minivan drivers. Unlike several other comments I read, we got 2 keyless remotes w/o even asking. Leather is sufficient, not like a Cadillac but very nice. We also got two-tone paint which makes the car look much more expensive. Not quite as roomy as some vans you can find, but for us (and for the $8,000 in savings) its fine. I would definitely recommend this vehicle. Hopefully we wont have to use the great warranty.

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  Good car for the price - 2011 Kia Soul
  By jimr91 - May 31 - 7:11 am

  I had this car for almost 3 years and i loved every minute in it. I was extremely comfortable. The seats fit me perfectly and and a lot of head and leg room. It also had great gas mileage. $40 would fill it up and i could go almost 400 miles before i would fill it again. It did have small problems though. I didnt like the steering that much. It felt stiff and Im not a fan of stiff steering. Also the accelerator wasnt very smooth. These tine problems aside I never had any other issues with this car. It was a great car for the money. I put a total of 83000 miles on mine and only did regular maintenance on it. I would recommend getting this car to anybody.

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  Very Satisfied - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By Rich S. - May 29 - 3:36 pm

  I just purchased the 3.8L V6 4 wheel drive on 12/13/2008. I am very glad I made this purchase. I did look at numerous vehicles in this and found the Borrego had more room, more options at a lower overall cost, and had a sharper look to it. I find the ride to be great-much like a car and you sit high like a truck. All controls are easy to find and use. I have the luxury package and rear seat entertainment package for the kids. I recommend this set up and the cost was not bad. Well designed and very comfortable. Third row seating has plenty of foot room and space with comfortable seats. A real pleasure to drive.

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  Kia Forte Opinion - 2011 Kia Forte
  By skc6 - May 29 - 2:28 pm

  Purchased Forte in late May 2011. Interioe comfort is good. Mileage could be better that current average of 26 mpg. Took it on vacation and the average mpg jumped to 30.5-more highway miles at higher speeds. On rain slick streets it handles good.