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 Rio5 an Excellent & Fun Value - 2012 Kia Rio
  By rfbronk1 - January 27 - 7:48 am

  Our 2012 KIA Rio5 is our second car. For around town use it is terrific - we get an overall 35 mpg. The five door is very usefu and the comfort is just fine. The styling is fine and the car really is fun to drive. We have a family car that is for trips but the Rio 5 is for everyday use. We could not find another vehicle for less money with a better warantry. The build quality is nice and the red paint is beautiful - the cloth interior is nice - this is just the perfect second car for us.

• 

  great value - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Kevin - January 26 - 1:40 pm

  I bought this car new and it now has 35,000 miles on it. I have not had any problems at all. When I first got the car I was getting about 32 MPG, but it has actually been getting better now around 36. Fun to drive although it is surely not a race car.

• 

  satisfied driver - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By rea byrd - January 25 - 4:10 am

  i have owned this van for about 9 months and am very happy with it. i have two children and alot of luggage and it all fits! i drive alot of miles all over the place and have never had a single mechanical problem. runs great in our 115 degree heat in the summer, and does a great job keeping us cool inside. love the rear air!!

• 

  Replaced a 1997 Gr Caravan - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Mike - January 24 - 5:13 pm

  We had just purchased an Optima for my wife and I had noticed the Spectre5 on the lot. Not many cars make me stop and give them a second look, but this one did. Some quick reference checks and I bought it 3 days later. Although I miss the room in my Caravan I have to say this is one of the most fun cars to drive. Gas mileage has been just under 30 MPG in mostly city type driving but I know that will get better as it breaks in. Although no car is perfect I havent found any major items to complain about. There has been some talk of Kia not honoring their warranty but you just need to maintain very through records if not serviced at a KIA dealer,

• 

  Amanti 2004 loaded all options - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By ccornell - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Wonderful car to drive. Some road noise with front wheel drive. Feels like it glides. Excellent breaking (without the breaking option) we live in Georgia no need for Breaking asst.

• 

  so far so good - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By daljaz - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I have owned Ford products for the past 40 years. When it was time to replace our Windstar at 198,000 we did comparative shopping. We drove them all and researched all mini-vans and concluded that the Sedona was the best value for the money. We talked to other Sedona owners and received no negative response. We have only owned our Sedona for a few weeks, but have recommended it to several of our neighbors who are shopping for a van. Several complain about gas economy. We could never get more than 19-20 on the highway with the Windstar, so 20-22 is an improvement. We love it so far.

• 

  KIA Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By verygreenmom - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Better than we imagined it could ever be! Love all the features and the wonderful warranty KIA offers. We will make KIA our future car purchases also.

• 

  Great car!! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Howie K - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Bought new in April 04, gas milage is better than what the window sticker says 21+mpg highway 18+mpg city! No problems at all! has about 5000 miles on it. Compare it to a Lexus, It looks the same, but its $20,000 LESS

• 

  Love my Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Gillscolly - January 24 - 10:00 am

  After many years of having unreliable minivans, its great to have a reliable and groovy car. I never thought I could be in love with a car, but I am my "Ruby". Awesome ride and excellent quality and value!!

• 

  Kia Sorento Fanatic On Board - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By MimisMn - January 24 - 10:00 am

  We purchased a low end 2003 Kia Sorento 3/03. We loved it! The interior design is what I would have expected on more expensive SUVs. Lots of bells and whistles on the basic Kia. Sunglass holder, DVD, lots of cup holders, electronic outlets in FRONT, BACK & REAR! Lots of storage compartments, etc. We are so in love w\the Kia Sorento that in 2/04 we upgraded to a 2004 4WD model w\ sunroof, DVD, more storage, electronics plugs, & fabric floor mats just to name a few perks. And, this car kicks butt on the highway w\major get up & go!