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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  Great car for the price !!!! - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Don - July 26 - 10:30 am

  Plenty of interior space. Dashboard is well laid out and controls within easy reach. I have only owned my Kia for one month but am averaging 30 mpg back and fourth to work. Ride is good but drivers seat needs more lumbar support. On long drives, back gets a little tired. One thing I did have troubles with were the headlights. They left a dark shadow on the drivers side. Had dealer replace headlight and problem was fixed.

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  A Dent & Scratch Magnet - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By bizymom - July 25 - 2:46 am

  Very disappointing! The gas mileage is 10 to 11 on avg. Only the few long distance trips where we run in to zero traffic do we see an increase in MPG and then its dramatic. Like 15 MPG. My purse scratches the paint. Everything scratches the extremely thin paint. The plastic trashcan put a dent in the body. All 4 doors have small dents due to other car doors touching them. They seem to be rounded in a way or at a height that most other cars seem to hit when parked next to it. back windshield burst the 1st time the rear defroster used which was within the 1st 4 mos of ownership. Kia Corp or the dealership would NOT cover it! Paid WAY too much for this inferior vehicle.

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  Kia Sorento Shines!!! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Rio - July 25 - 1:46 am

  I purchased the Kia Sorento EX Sports Package in late January of 2005. Fun to drive and very appealing on the outside as well as on in the inside. This car is a head turner. Everyone is impressed by its stylish look as well as its smooth drive. Lots of people are intriqued this Kia SUV, and I just love driving around town.

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  This Car is Awesome - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By elpollobago - July 24 - 4:23 pm

  This car is great, I was first going to get an older model BMW SUV (the X-5 or X-3), no comparrison, the Sorrento its so much nicer and you get more for your money. Its a great looking car and it drives great. I definitely recommended.

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  Great little ride - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By 2006 kia great car - July 23 - 12:46 pm

  Drove from NY to AZ in 2 days average speed of 80. took it up to 105 a few times with confidence. Great car for the money. Good gas mileage. $20 bucks get u at least a half tank! 400 miles to a tank.

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  Great little car! - 2008 Kia Rio
  By roger - July 22 - 11:56 am

  I have had my Kia Rio for two years and I am very happy with it. The price was great. I get 30-34 mpg. I drive it daily 50 miles to work and back and like it fine. I have also driven it to Florida and several times (2,000 miles round trip) and it was comfortable. I have had no mechanical problems at all. It is a great little car for the price and with the back seat down has lots of room to haul stuff. Yes, I would buy another Kia.

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  Finilly Got It--Wish I Never Did - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Jebediah - July 22 - 10:00 am

  It took me 2 years to save up, but I finally purchased me a new car. I bought a 2004 Kia Rio. Mine is red. This car is alright, but it doesnt work too well, and they have been trying to fix it. I cant keep paying for repairs, I dont have a whole lot of money. This thing is decent looking, but I think the interior is crappy. It is really cheap and plasticity looking. They need to make them look fanicer, like one of them BMW er Merecedes or somethihgn.

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  na - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By gainery - July 22 - 10:00 am

  could get better gas millage and the take a very long time for the window to defrost or clear enough so you can see no heat for the exterri mirror and some time the eigen light come on and wont go off the car only has 17700 miles bought it new in 2001 i really dont think a car like this such have that many problem

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  Kia vs Honda - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By DCH60 - July 22 - 10:00 am

  Many more features vs the Honda Civic. Im a Honda owner (2003 V6 Accord), but the civics features vs the Spectra came up way short. And the warranty doesnt come close.

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  Really like the car - 2004 Kia Optima
  By JsM - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I really like my car. I bought it because of the looks and price. Went with the intention of buying basic car but ended up with extras (leather, wood trim, better stereo and heat/air system). Im used to a four cylinder so Im sure that makes a difference. Optima drives great (smooth, great pick- up) and gets good mileage on the highway (drove to Penn from Mass and got about 30 miles/gal). Around town not so great (about 19 miles/gal), but I sit in traffic going/coming to work. Very comfortable and roomy. Rides smooth. Very happy....