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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  Great Van - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By daniel - June 4 - 5:46 pm

  My wife and I looked at almost every van on the market and for the money the Kia was by far the best performing, best handling, best riding van out of them all. The Sienna had a few options the Kia did not that we liked but it was not worth the extra money. We also have been averaging 18 MPG with the constant stop and go with the A/C system running and I really like the torque the Kia has. Very happy with the purchase, never thought I would go with a Korean made vehicle but they did it right on this one.

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Jimmy - June 3 - 2:30 pm

  I traded my 2004.5 Spectra EX which I had 42000 miles on it, for Spectra5. It is really fun to drive. Perfect handling very nice, Interior design very stylish, CD player improved from earlier versions, lots of room for its size, Ground effects superb, keyless entry fog lights -- I mean you get everything you may get from a $26,000 car but $10K cheaper. And I have seen comparison chart. This car beats Mazda 3 and Chevy Cobalt But slower than Focus ZX4 ST and Corolla XRS but it is cheaper and has a better warranty. I say thumbs up.

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  Love my Spectra - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By mikewilks52 - June 2 - 9:40 pm

  I bought my 2003 Spectra used, it had 120,000 miles on it when i bought it. It now has 171,674 miles on it. Have only had to replace the water pump. Runs great, drives great. Have never had a problem with it. Keep up your maintance and ive heard its nothing to get 500,000+ miles on a KIA.. Love my Spectra.. My next purchase will be a KIA Soul.. Very happy with KIAs.

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  Never in a million years - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By mandalea - June 2 - 8:46 pm

  I never imagined driving a Kia until I saw the new Sorento. We owned an 07 Yukon Denali, but were looking to downsize since we only have one child and moved back to our home state. The extra huge truck just wasnt a practical car for our family anymore. I loved everything about the Sorento online and couldnt believe the price or safety features, plus the warranty is awesome. I was sold the moment the test drive began! The ride is so smooth and the interior quality is unbelievable for a car that costs less than 30K. The Sorento has almost every option the Denali had and the gas mileage is already making me proud before the engine is even broken in!

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  Hard to find more for the money! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By David D - June 2 - 10:00 am

  We were considering the Hyundai Santa Fe and although we liked the ride, the styling left quite a bit to be desired. We saw a Sorento on the road and loved the exterior so we went to a dealership to take a closer look. When considering performance, safety, comfort and price we couldnt find anything out there that even came close.

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  The power of suprise - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By ConvertedtoKIA - May 30 - 11:03 pm

  I always said I would never buy a KIA and thought they were just crappy cars. I saw the commercial for the Sorento during the Super Bowl. I looked into it and when Edmunds.com says a vehicle has very little need for improvement my interest piqued. I was blown away by the car when I saw it in person. Ive been in all kinds of vehicles up a Porsche and I have ridden in very few cars that are this quiet on the road. The gas mileage and power are great. Little known features also got me like Air Ionization in the cabin. Getting the guy from Audi was the best thing KIA couldve done. "Ive got to put my foot in my mouth" I hear that everyday when people see this car.

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  Enjoying my Kia Rio - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Connie - May 30 - 10:16 am

  Havent had my Rio not quite a month but I am enjoying it. I tried out all the small cars and found this one to be the quietest, and most enjoyable. Had a 04 Dodge Caravan and it drives just as good and holds the road in all weather conditions and even holds the road passing a big truck. It doesnt sway like the 02 Camry I had. Cant believe how good they are making the new small cars now. Inside feels like Im in a large car. Have plenty of room for all my stuff. The 4 door beat the hatchback as far as space. Get about 32 miles to the gallon. But only have 6 hundred miles on it, hope will get better with time. Mine is the basic no electric windows or locks. Found out I can do without them

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  Great Buy, Great Ride - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Sheila Ann - May 30 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Kia Spectra for one year now and for the price, you cant beat it. Sure there were a couple of minor issues, however, Im not sure why everyone has expected so much from a car with such a low price sticker. Basically, you get what you pay for. Im very satisfied with the quality of my Kia and when it comes with a 10 yr, 100,000 mile warranty and 30 mpg on the highway, I cant complain! You wont go 0 to 60 in 1.2 so if you want that type of performance, write the check! I certainly would recommend a Kia to anyone who wants a sporty looking vehicle to get them from point A to point B.

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  LOVE OUR SPORTAGE! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Helen - May 28 - 3:56 pm

  Wow! We love it! We test drove & purchased after driving comparable SUVs in the smaller but updated category. We also own a 2004 Kia Sedona & love the van after 2 Dodge Caravans. The worst vans we ever owned … as I have heard from many! Look at JD Powers reviews. We look forward to many years with our "KIA Family.” My extended family has also purchased a Kia Sedona & a Kia Sportage.

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  Excellent Product - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Andrew - May 25 - 12:03 pm

  Incredible dealership, great value car. Thank God for Kias high depreciation rate, bad for them but good for me, Ill drive this one into the ground. Extremely cheap extended warranty added 6 yrs, 80K miles! Paying less 180/mo for 48 mos. Comfortable, although I miss power windows and locks.