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:

• 

  Kia v-6 loaded ex model Silver,yeah baby - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Paula C - December 3 - 10:00 am

  This car is great. I take to Harrisburg Pa, adleast 2 times a month, getting better gas each time. Preformace wise it rides like a dream driving on clouds, pa road are bad but htis car makes them feel great. looking at his car is so beuitful, plese go test drive one you will fall in love.. I did. I test drove alot of car before i got his one. under 19,000. fully loaded with a great warrenty where did i go wrong, LOL go see a kia dealer today, youwill not be sorry.. Paula

• 

  Thumbs up - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By brapla - December 3 - 10:00 am

  After only 2 months, I am thrilled I bought my Sorento. It is fun to drive, responsive and it turns heads. Sure, the gas milage leaves alot to be desired, but I knew that going in. I can buy alot of gas for the money I saved by not buying the other brands. The only problem I have is the outside themometer doesnt keep up with the temperature changes, but I understand that is being addressed.

• 

  Amazing value for the money - 2012 Kia Optima
  By mustrockon - December 2 - 5:44 pm

  When we were looking for a car in the 30Ks range I have to admit Kia was not on the short list. After talking with two family friends, one with a BMW and another with a Mercedes both purchased within the last 3 years we began to broaden our search. Not only were the repair bills outrageous for even the smallest of fixes, but the features for the "lower priced" models were lacking compared to the Optima. We ended up getting a pearlized white with leather interior and a turbo 2.0 getting 275 horsepower. It has no problem getting up to speed and rides like a dream. Not only is this the best car we have owned for this price, but our family friend with the Mercedes is trading in for an Optima!

• 

  I LOVE MY CAR - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By jana - December 1 - 11:20 am

  I love this car! It is the perfect size for me. It drives great and the brakes are awesome too! It compact enough to fit into smaller parking spaces but roomy enough for my 6 foot 4 inch brother to sit comfortably!

• 

  Great Car - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By Ken Ross - December 1 - 11:16 am

  I bought my Kia Spectra Ex Sedan (4) days ago and I really like it. I havent had it very long and I havent taken it for a long drive yet. I feel that the car was a great buy.

• 

  2004 Kia Spectra - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By kwitcherbytchn - November 30 - 5:20 pm

  This is my second new car. I bought it for the warranty. And now I regret it. The gas mileage is horrible. Im lucky to get 25 mpg. I had a Saturn and was getting 31 mpg. The trans kicks when accelerating, it makes funny noises on and off.

• 

  This Van is Very Underrated!! - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Happy Customer!! - November 30 - 1:03 pm

  I have only had this van a short time,former van was a Dodge Caravan Sport. When the dealer first showed me the Sedona, my initial impression as I walked towards it was that it was sharp for a mini-van(Midnight Black with dark tinted windows!) as I got closer to it and saw it was Kia I wasnt so sure I wanted it, it was a Kia for goodness sakes. But then, I got in the vehicle, with its tan, clean and crisp interior, decided to test drive it, and fell in love right away! Its three years old but smooth, and still looks really good, it looks like an 08 or 09. Its also fast and corners very well. The CD and radio are outstanding in sound quality.

• 

  expensive upkeep - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Rondo EX - November 30 - 5:16 am

  I was mostly satisfied until I had to have work done. We were told that the sensor that controls the accelerator was bad, but was not covered under the powertrain warranty (cha-ching) even though it is part of the engine. Next, you have to replace the timing belt at 60,000 miles or your warranty is no good (cha-ching $600). Not good gas mileage. Bad night visibility. To expensive upkeep. Oh yes they want to change the transmission fluid also ($199). Kia lost a customer.

• 

  2001 kia sephia 225000 and still running tough - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By 2001kiasephia - November 30 - 3:01 am

  i have a 2001 kia sephia ive been the only owner it has been by far the best car ive ever bought i have done routine oil changes and tune ups on it and ive done the timeing and water pump every 60000 on it and she just keeps running like a champ and i get 30 mpgs out of it and im am very happy with it..

• 

  kias - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Mike99 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  they run nice...i won it playing horse against a friend of mine. he was baggin on the car but i think i really came out on top on this one.