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:

• 

  our soul - 2010 Kia Soul
  By john - May 22 - 5:26 am

  we were looking for a fun economical vehicle, this seems to fit our wants at a fairly affordable price, interior is comfortable, ride and handling are good, acceleration off the line is good as well, cargo space is better than expected in a vehicle of this type, as well as comfortable 4 adult seating, incredible sound system for a stock system. rear blind spots take some getting used to, overall we enjoy the vehicle, and have no issues as yet at 7000 miles, only disapointment was advertised fuel rating is 30 mpg, and we are averaging 27-28 consistantly since new, which is still respectable, but disapointing for a vehicle of this size

• 

  I love my new SOUL + - 2011 Kia Soul
  By mvickersla - May 21 - 11:03 pm

  I just bought this car on 7/24/11, and I love it! I just want to drive it all day long. Its so much fun! My meter keeps saying that Im only getting 17.9 MPG, but Im still good on gas, and Ive been driving mostly in traffic so far.

• 

  love the Kia! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By lovethekia - May 21 - 6:36 pm

  I havent had any problems with mine so far ... I love it and the ride is incredibly smooth!

• 

  Awesome Value - 2011 Kia Optima
  By moola - May 21 - 12:40 pm

  Ive always thought Japan had a corner on midsize sedans until I drove Optima. I have to say it is the best value for the money. Although the 4 cyl is not as smooth as my Lexus 6, it is just as powerful. The car feels tight and fun to drive. I test drove a bunch of new models, but this one is a winner. P.S. I am in Chicago area and classic Kia in Waukegan is the best. Great dealership IMHO.

• 

  Great car for the $$ - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Ryan Wern - May 21 - 2:50 am

  Bought the car used in November of 06 simply for a commuter. I was just looking for a cheap car to get me to work and back and not kill me with gas prices being high. I was BLOWN AWAY with this car. It has great performance all around considering the small engine and low hp, and the mpg is very close to what Kia said it was. With just me in it, I average 37 mpg highway, which is all I really drive with it. Im used to driving high horsepower American made trucks, so for me to actually say this thing has some power means something. Stock stereo is above average for any car, and the trunk is massive. I would recommend this car any day.

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Kia Rio
  By Rob - May 20 - 5:43 am

  For a little car, it is really well built and as a true believer in you get what you pay for, I can honestly say I am very pleased with my 2005 Kia Rio S. It is the most perfect little commuter ever. I love it!

• 

  Love My Kia - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Dana - May 20 - 12:36 am

  Bought my Kia in Oct. of 06 in TX, drove it back to CA in Two days. Very reliable, had no problems, thank God and Held 3 medium size cat carriers all in a row in the back fold down seat. My Kia has 12,000 little miles on it now, and knock on wood Ive never had a problem yet. I keep up on the maint. with oil change and so far one tire rotation and its still ticking onward. Some cars are lemons, and Im glad my wasnt.

• 

  Cute But - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Margie - May 19 - 2:20 pm

  The car handles nicely and has great acceleration. It has great leg room for passengers in the back seats as long as the front seats are not all the way back. You can pack a lot of items in the back and with the seats down its even better.

• 

  God Love this Car... - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By hildymac - May 19 - 2:00 am

  ... because I cant. Been in the shop over 20 times, the first time being 2 months after I got it for a leaky fuel line. Fan belts make it sound like a Singer Sewing Mach... and they cant EVER seem to fix them. Biggest POS ever. Im trading it in on a MINI when I graduate.

• 

  I almost bought an MDX - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By gecko89 - May 19 - 2:00 am

  We had a deposit on the Acura MDX, but it wasnt going to arrive until 2 months later. Our friend told us to look at the Sorento and at first we said "NO! Kias are bad!" But we went to the Kia dealership anyway and bought the Sorento the SAME DAY! The sorento costed us $12,000 and the sorento luxury package is practically exactly like the MDX! We LOVE it, you will too!