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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  AMANTI - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By JON D - August 12 - 2:00 am

  THE KIA AMANTI IS THE LUXURY CAR FOR THE NON RICH. IT HAS ALL THE LUXURY THAT A JAGUAR MERCADIES AND BMWS HAVE FOR A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER. I FOUND OUT THAT IT FULLY LOADED (WICH MINE IS) ONLY COSTS ABOUT 30,000.00 UNLIKE THE JAGUAR OR THE MERCADIES

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  GREAT SUV POOR MPG - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By CARROW - August 12 - 2:00 am

  THe ride is smooth as aluxury car. The moon roof. am/fm, cass. cd sterero sytem are a great investment. The navigation system is another added plus. The electric drivers seat, tilt stearing wheel and cruise control make a long drive an enjoyable experience.

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  best bang for all bucks - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By laid back bill - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my new kia. I love the way it looks and the way it handles.It has everything i was looking for in an suv. I am a first time suv owner. I love the warranty the best around, and also the creature comfortes that my kia gives me. There are so many suvs on the market today. I am very happy today that i did the research on owning one, and the new kia serento gives me the best of it all, an suv with all the high marks, and the best for my bucks.

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  very happy - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By mozoma - August 11 - 10:00 am

  Once we test drove the Kia we were hooked. The power is very sufficient and the fit and finish feels high quality. The size is very comfortable, with an extraordinary amount of legroom throughout. The standard feature list is wonderful (EX)especially for the price tag, amazing. I saved so much money by choosing the Kia that I got an aftermarket video system installed. The only hesitation we had was the fact that it was a Kia. We worried about the quality, but the great warranty was enough to offset those fears. Do I have any pride of ownership dilemmas with my Kia? Nope. I feel very proud of my smart purchase.

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  One fun CUV! - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By bstoecker - August 10 - 7:27 pm

  Having put on my first 3000 miles on my new Sportage SX, I am having no regrets yet for buying a KIA. I still get the "What? You bought a Kia?" and I just say "yes i did" and am proud of it so far. Kia has finally came to the game table while both Honda and Toyota are asleep at the wheel. When i found out Kia added a turbo to this sharp CUV, I had to go check it out. 3000 miles later and I have really enjoyed it. What fun is this CUV is kinda in disguise. With many not knowing what is under this hood, it is fun shocking those next to you when this turbo kicks in and away you go. Another great aspect is the gas mileage. On a weekend trip I recorded 30mpg on the highway. Avg so far is 25.

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  Awesome! - 2010 Kia Optima
  By colleen1994 - August 9 - 12:50 pm

  We purchased the Optima about a week ago and I must say... I LOVE IT! There is enough hoots and whistles to keep me happy and the gas mileage is amazing. My kids love the sound system, room and comfort, and I honestly couldnt be happier. It has a lot of of power for highway driving. Great car for the price. Highly recommended to those looking for a reliable, economical vehicle!

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  Fun to Drive - 2009 Kia Sorento
  By Drew - August 9 - 4:03 am

  This is a fun midsize crossover to drive. It has the pickup necessary to pass and is equally at home off pavement. We take ours off the raod frequently and although it does not have 4X4 it is lite enough to go most places. Have towed our jet skis with it and no loss of power. Would Recommend.

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  Must check it out! - 2010 Kia Optima
  By PDR - August 8 - 8:26 pm

  Rides like a more expensive sedan with taut steering, responsive pep sufficient for merging and passing, good sight lines, comfortable seating and solid fit/finish. Roomy interior for 6+, rich full sound stereo, easy access controls, very large trunk. Options are few but worthwhile: power seats, allow wheels and homelink mirror. With price, warranty and safety features Optima easily outdoes Malibu, Accord, Altima, and Camry. Glad I decided to check it out!

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  Happy Kia Owner - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By kia - loyal forever - August 7 - 12:03 am

  I traded in my Ford Ranger for a smaller sedan-type car and was so surprised by the quality offered in my Spectra. I have owned it now for 2 years and never had one bit of trouble. It is beautiful and I laugh at how many people mistake it for a BMW when I first drive up! Side by side, they are very similar in looks! Dealership is awesome and I feel like I have joined the Kia family for life!!

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  Mountain Happy - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Mountain Happy - August 6 - 7:02 pm

  I researched the Kia Sorento along with other vehicles with 3rd row seating. I wanted a 6 cyl, awd vehicle and luv, luv, luv this vehicle. Its smooth ride, feels like your riding on a cloud. My son hooked up my phone to the vehicle s Bluetooth--so nice to answer and have your phone contacts at your finger tips. Its got tons of leg room both front and back. I havent had it long enough to know everything about it but finding something new everytime I get in it. and you can set your mode to regular, economy, or sport when driving and it tells you how many miles per gallon your getting as you drive. and how many miles you have on the tank of gas which I find very helpful. I keep it on the economy setting and this rig has get up and go when you need to move. Such a smooth running vehicle. Absolutely love this rig. The price you pay for this rig versus the other rigs I looked at are not even in the ball park for what you get for the money. And I found out KIAs are made in the USA in Georgia. I wanted a rig that wasnt going to cost me an arm and a leg that would house my grandchildren (8) this rig has 3rd row seating and sits up to 7. I bought a used 2017.