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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  This is not the old spectra - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Dottie Jackson - January 9 - 10:00 am

  We I first talked to a salesmans about the spectra I didnt want one, because my son had a 2002 model and he really hated that car. Well when I saw this new Kia, it looked nothing like my son Kia. When I showed the Spectra to my son he was blown away by how good the Spectra now looks. I have been so happy with my Spectra, it drives great and it looks even better then it drives. Thank you Kia for making a great redesigned Spectra. Dottie Jackson

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  #1 and the only #1 - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By JJ Lucky Winner - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I have had this great car for 6 months now and I am very happy with it. Everything about this car is great. If you are looking for a peace of mind and the safest cars of its style, this is the one you really need to consider.

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  Good Reliable Car - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Gaby - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I just bought the 2004.5 model and I really enjoy it. Its a great, fun car. Though a bit noisy when above 60 mph and specially while going up hills, the car is really the best in its class and definitely out performs the 2004 Honda Civic that my husband bought in March. If we had known about the Spectra before buying the Honda, we would both be driving Spectras. Its supposed to be more fuel efficient, but I dont find this to be the case. As a former 2000 Toyota Camry dirver, I used to get more gas mileage than I do now with the Spectra. The overall price, warranty, car design are PERFECT. I highly recommend this car and KIA to everyone. Go KIA SPECTRA!!!!

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  Love It - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By wilusmil4me - January 9 - 10:00 am

  awesome ride and an awesome price.

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  BEWARE!!! This is a tempting trap! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By jenn223 - January 9 - 10:00 am

  We have had nothing but PROBLEMS with our Kia Sorento! We bought brand new. At 3000 miles the trans. froze on an offramp, we had it towed but they "could not duplicate the problem and did nothing". At 12000 miles, the transmission went out on me. The dealership did not want to pay for rental while they fixed, I contacted BBB and they did. They replaced transmission. They also fixed the back armrest that broke after a WEEK of owning. I spoke with a car insurance agent she said she had a Sorento too and the first week she had it her fuel pump went out, then her suspension! She got a lawyer because they didnt want to fix it, now her trans. is going out too. My suggestion, pass this by!

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  kia sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By buddy450 - January 9 - 10:00 am

  looked very hard at the lexus rx330, also a very nice vehicle, but the KIA is almost identical, about half the price, and the 100,000 mile warranty is hard to beat!

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  Top Value - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By ChoonilLee - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I traded-in the 2003 trail blazer with too soft suspension and lots of wind noise. The Sorento drives much better with lesser wind noise and suspension is feels firmer, yet it rides smoothier. The seat is much more comfortable, and inside looks roomier and better quality. After all, it cost about $10K less. The engine is not as powerful as I wish. However, it delivers enough for a very smooth ride.

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  I cant believe I bought a KIA - 2007 Kia Amanti
  By minus200 - January 7 - 10:10 pm

  I cant believe I bought a KIA - I cant believe I bought a KIA. Will take delivery the day after Mardi Gras if all the paperwork goes through. By accident I looked at one and did a lot of research online and talked with a lot of people. Everybody that owned a Kia was happy. My kids are embarrassed for me, one has SL500- SL55 - S55 and GL450 other one has Lexus 460 and Yukon XL and others. They are just too yuppie. I am convinced I will be very happy with this car even if the buying decision may not have been "smart". I will report back after a couple of weeks driving. Just couldnt see spending $12,000 more for an Infinity M35. Amanti = nice car - not an ICON to impress others. Hope it works

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  Great little car for the downsizer - 2008 Kia Optima
  By bumpergirl - January 7 - 4:16 pm

  I have owned the 2008 Kia Optima for a few weeks now. I understand it may take a while to break in a new car and improve gas mileage. So far I am averaging between 26 and 30 mpg. Highway of course is outstanding. I am overall happy with my purchase. Its somewhat of an adjustment coming down from a Toyota Avalon. However, I am very happy with the balance between luxury and economy in the Kia. The interior and exterior appearance are definitely luxury. The ride and price is definitely economy. So keep that in mind. The experience buying the car was excellent. The best way to work is to put a small deposit on your car, and write up the Purchase and sale, then shop 2-3 dealers. Happy days!

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  Great minivan for the price! - 2011 Kia Sedona
  By scoop14 - January 7 - 4:09 am

  My 2011 Sedona was $6000 less out the door than Sienna and has a better warranty. Our local Kia dealership is also a well respected family business. Sienna drove slightly better but certainly not $6000 worth! Truth is with two kids & a dog to haul around it needs to be comfortable, solid & safe - it is. The Sedonas 3.5 V6 is powerful, willing, and sounds really good winding out. The auto shifts cleanly and manual mode works well in the hills. The 18/25 mileage figures are accurate. I meet or exceed these numbers when driven calmly. 5600 miles so far and one problem (sticky purge valve = rough idle) fixed without problem under warranty with loaner provided. Happy so far with my first Kia.