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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  Love it overall - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Rose Mary - June 22 - 12:20 pm

  I purchased my 2010 Soul in July of 09 and love it mostly overall. Lots of interior room, lots of outside style and very comfortable to drive.

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  Great SUV - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Darda - June 20 - 11:46 am

  I just purchased my 2011 LX 4cy with remote start, awd, back up camera, sunroof... First Kia product and very impressed. The ride is a bit stiff but very fun to drive. I only have 80 miles on it so will repost soon.

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  Spec5 is 5 speed FUN! - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By KiaSpec5 - June 20 - 2:50 am

  I traded a 8 month old Suzuki Forenza for my Spec5 and couldnt have made a better decision. Having driven both manuals and automatics of many competitors I found the most fun in the 5 speed Spec5. If youre not having fun youre wasting the gas!

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  great car for the price - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Anne W B - June 19 - 10:00 am

  I traded in a 99 Caddy Catera. Wont go back to the Caddy, because this car gives me luxury without the high price. I love the look and feel of it. The dual climate control is wonderful. The outside looks like a very expensive car, and the leather seats are so comfy and roomy. This car is going to hurt the competition, because of the price and features it has. I love this car.

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  Awesome Ride!! - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By bws09231956 - June 19 - 10:00 am

  awesome ride fellas, the best fit I have ever found for a tall man, and, leg room behind me too!!!

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  Awesome Ride - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By TigCam - June 19 - 10:00 am

  Nice space. Good safety for kids and adults. Ample comfort room to stretch ones legs. Love sitting up so high and really handles the turns well.

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  Pleasantly suprised - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By emsteachr1 - June 19 - 10:00 am

  I searched many manufactures for a quality built and reasonable SUV. When I was about to give up someone mentioned try a KIA. I drove the vehicle and was immediately taken by the quality as well as all the options for the low price. It is smooth riding, quiet and powerful. Considering the 10/100,000 warranty they offer I figured they have to be positive their vehicle will withstand time. The dealer was awesome and I was pleasantly suprised at the lack of pressure and great trade in for my 1998 Explorer. Mileage is decent to, so far I am averaging 20-21 mpg combined city/hwy. At this point I would highly recommend this vehicle.

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  So many standard options for a compact - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Mark - June 18 - 4:20 pm

  2010 Kia Forte SX - We were lucky enough to get the SX with all the options including the leather. This car is amazing. With times a little tougher my wife sold her 2003 Bmw M3 Convertible. We both love the car and the heated leather seats made the transition to this new car great. We drove 500+ miles to pick it up and it was fun to drive home after the purchase. It is almost unbelievable how this car has so many standard options on the base model. With the sirus radio and bluetooth radio it makes it even easier and very fun to drive. The car handles very well at 80 and seems to stop very good. The ride is smooth until you hit small pot holes, then the car feels a little ridged.

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  Nice minivan! - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By RoboScar - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Kia Sedona in November 2001. I did have one problem about two weeks later when the moon roof decided to open on its own. I took it back to a Kia dealership and it was repaired quickly and Ive had no other problems. Oh, the dealer who sold me the Sedona said it had anti-lock brakes and when I got mine home, it was brand new, including the wrapping paper, I found out this EX version did not have anti- lock brakes. Grrr. But, I am still happy with my Kia Sedona.

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  What I did before I purchased the KIA - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By abbottisretired - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I spent many hours on the internet checking out all the SUVs in this segment. What I found was that you would have to spend 10 to 20 thousand more to get the same features. I have had mine for two weeks and in snow. The Sorento performed as expected and with KIAs drive it and forget it 10 year 100000 mile warrenty there is nothing to loose. The buying experience with HART MOTORS in Salem VA was so good and fast that it took longer to get the Sorento out of the showroom than it did to the paper work. I am very happy with my purchase.