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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  Get your motor runnin (if you can) - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By eatjustone - January 31 - 11:13 pm

  If its to good to be true than it is! 4,000 miles on the Kia and its had 2 recalls and now the check engine light is on. I have waited 8 weeks for a call to tell me my warranty recall parts are in. I know Korea is a long ways from here but I assumed they would mail the parts, not deliver them with a bicycle! Be warned, a pretty package and cheap price dont make up for the headaches you may encounter.

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  kia------>>> killed in action.. - 2010 Kia Soul
  By jeepers20 - January 31 - 1:30 am

  bought a used 2010 kia soul, had major engine troubles. high revving jerking.. had back to the dealership ,changed tsc units, still had trouble.. called kias consumer affairs ..may i say ,the worst consumer affairs out there!1 eight phone calls to them, never returned one terrible!!..

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  Right Stuff - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Mush - January 30 - 5:46 am

  The spectra 5 auto is fun and easy to drive. It looks great, holds the road real good and handles better than the Camry LE 2008 sedan which I test drove. I also test drove the Honda Civic 2008 but with all elements considered, I bought the Kia. Kia has good driving visibility (I am short) and the hatchback is a plus in this price range (cheaper by about $5K).

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  20,000 Miles and Going - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By buffalotom - January 29 - 8:56 pm

  Have a 2012 SX, its quick, but seats and handling have much room for improvement. I think the stock 18 inch tires have too high a side wall, tires bounce like a basket ball. Car now has 20K miles, the turbo is cutting in and out, usually upon motor start it sometimes doesnt work, and when restarted thereafter it works again. Shop (Robin w/Transitowne KIA in Buffalo NY Area) looked it over, says its b/c I had it in FWD lock, which makes no sense. Since Ive kept is out of FWD lock, still acting up. When the restart trick stops working Ill take it back in.

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  kia good start out car - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By drew - January 29 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle looks like fun but after trying it out as a second car it left a lot to be desired. It would be great for someone starting out but for me I bought it on a whim while moving and it has served its purpose but Move on after the warranty is gone. The resale value doesnt hold. If you like to be low on the road, this is for you!!

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  Love it so far - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Tony P - January 29 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this as a replacement to a 2001 VW Jetta. We have had it for only a few days but so far i have no complaints at all. The suspension is a little tight, but i will accept that for the car like feel it has while driving. Power is readily available and it has way more interior room than our old VW. I am only waiting to see how it does in the snow.

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  Im Surprised - 2010 Kia Forte
  By bigbullldog - January 28 - 11:33 pm

  You can take this one to the bank. Best performance for value out there. The six-speed manual is not for first time stick drivers (Ive driven 5 speeds for years and this took a little getting used to). The car wants to accelerate, the steering is rock solid and responsive even over rough pavement. I test drove a turbo audi A4 six-speed as well and the forte performed as well in all categories except trim. In my opinion, if you go with a comparable honda or acura, youre just paying extra for the nameplate.

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  I should have known better. - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By deacontull - January 26 - 1:07 pm

  At 1K miles this thing rattles/squeaks/pops more than a 15 year old Dodge caravan. Highway MPG is awful (24 if Im lucky). After the first washing, I noticed crud in the paint. No mechanical problems yet, but Im not encouraged. I deliberately waited a year or so for them to get the bugs out before buying, but clearly that doesnt cure cheap. I let the allure of long warranty, looks, and the array of features on the "convenience package" suck me in and blind me to the lack of quality. My bad. Do yourself a favor and ignore the sparkle. Pay a few extra bucks on a quality vehicle like Toyota or Subaru. This vehicle is no bargain.

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  Great First Car - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Elizabeth - January 25 - 7:13 am

  I absolutely love my Kia. It was my first car. I chose it because it could fit everything I owned inside of it. Not only did it haul me down to Georgia from Ohio but then moved all of my stuff to Florida a few months later. It also made the move to Dallas and back wonderfully. I consistently take it on long trips and it has never given me any trouble. Its a comfortable ride and gets great mileage on the highway. Of the 2 problems I have had the 1st (cracked master cylinder) was under warranty and the 2nd (fluid in the brakes) was my fault. I didnt use the 4WD enough in the florida climate and hoses disintegrated. The dealer told me, but I decided not to fix it and it caused the brakes.

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  Point A to Point B - 2001 Kia Spectra
  By Scott9674 - January 25 - 2:00 am

  From the outside you think wow, what a sporty ride? NOT The 125hp 5speed manual is very disappointing. I have drove automatics with smaller engines that are peppier. Going up a hill with the A/C on..forget about it. I realized I wasnt getting a "sports" car but come on Kia the gas mileage isnt terrific and the car weighs a little more than a cow here in IA and this is the best you can do? The interior is decent and clean. If you are over 6 ft be warned. After 40k miles no major happenings.Great car for a college student who just needs A to B trans. That is about all you should expect because that is all youll get.