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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  After 1st Three tanks full... - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Willa Jabir - July 19 - 2:00 am

  There is no "Get up and go" here, but for what you pay it is worth it. Ive gotten 26-29 mpg. I normally get more than the ratings, but not here. Handling is good. The engine is a bit noisy, but not that bad. The sportmatic transmission is nice for control. A family car for easy driving. All controls are in good locations except the cruise control on/off switch. It is located by the left knee...go figure. The cruise has to be turned on each time the vechile is used again. Each time you turn it on, it is a one time deal. All other controls are in good layout.

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  Itiswhatitis - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Getaclue - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I enjoy my sportage convertible! Did any of you that complain think you were buying an M Class or BMW SUV? For the money and considering the warranty its a solid value. Needed more power and the cup holders suck, but it looks like nothing else out there when the top is down and zips around town very well.The new generation Kias are much better, so I guess were...pioneers!

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  Kia you should not own - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Vilma Ramos - July 19 - 2:00 am

  This Mini van handles well its fun to drive. But the engine shakes, The shock obsorbers in the front make a thumping noise, the rear door is hard to close. The belts on the engine make noise and it has a flimzie accelerator. When you take it to the dealer to see if the can make adjustments/repairs they tell you its a kia. So my recomendation is not to buy one.

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  5,000 Miles and Counting... - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By BigSKyMan - July 19 - 2:00 am

  At first glance, there seems to be a ton of SUVs available, but when it comes down to finding a true, comfortable, rugged, REAL 4x4, there are very few. If youre looking for one with all the features of the KIA Sorento, youd be hard pressed to find one for under $35,000, let alone for the $25,000 I got my 4x4 Sorento EX for. I drive a lot on and off road and I am completely pleased with my KIA thus far. The only features I wish I had were a DVD player for the kids and an in-dash Navigation system for me.

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  My next car will be a Kia - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Derrick - July 19 - 1:53 am

  I love it. It looks great in a parking lot and sexy on the road! My friends and family all want to drive it and wish their car was a kia. I love my spectra sx!

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  A Major Disappointment - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By mdawgg - July 18 - 8:14 pm

  After 150 miles the plastic seat belt retainer clips popped out of the interior sides they were supposed to be anchored to. I tried to put them back in but they would eventually pop out again. After 250 miles the engine began to idle rough, the transmission would go "clunk" when shifting up or down at slow speeds, and the car began to vibrate when driving on the highway. After 850 miles the rear view screen in the mirror for the backup camera began to have thick black lines across it. Sometimes the screen would go completely black. The car has only a little over 1000 miles on it, but I dread driving it for fear of having more things go wrong. I will never buy another Kia again.

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  Too new to really tell - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Renee McClain - July 18 - 4:03 pm

  I just bought my Kia Spectra 5 and its too new to really tell if Im going to have any problems, but I do love the feel of the car, the style, the interior leg room and comfort. My only negative comment is the high whining at higher rpms. Once the car gets up there she really goes, but getting her there takes longer than Im used to. From what I can tell, thus far I love it. Its got a great warranty which tells me that Kia is confident in their car, you dont see that often!

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  Be Careful about Fuel System - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Keil - July 18 - 1:43 pm

  Purchased vehicle in November 2004, took to service center in December, January, February and again in March. The problem has been a "Faulty" fuel pressure switch. According to the service manager this is a known problem that continues to cause problems. It should be fixed this time. Only 6200 miles on vehicle. Unable to take on trips afraid check engine light will go on again.

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  Still love it after 2 years!! - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By julie46 - July 17 - 4:08 pm

  Tough, reliable, fun, great mileage, roomy. Have had people bang doors into us hard, no dents and a little rub and the mark came out. Ran over a piece of steel on I-5, thought itd rip its belly open. Nope just a little dent. Did great in the snow. Our tires have 33,000 miles and doing great!! My friend has a crv and their tires are wore out at 30,00. Fun to drive and cool looking..my friend bought one just like mine because i love it so. Keep up the good work Kia!1

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  1 week = My Life - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Bill - July 17 - 12:20 pm

  Had my 2006 Spectra for about 1 week and owned it for 2 days. Lot of fun and will be buying a 2nd one. The first was rear ended at a full stop by a full size Cadillac at about 25 mph. May be totaled but the cabin interior withstood the impact. No gas leakage. The seat belts worked perfectly and the headrest really helped my neck and head. I really believe that if I had been in many other cars, I may not have been as lucky. The Caddy sustained major front end damage (radiator leak, engine damage, front quarter, etc.) so the impact was major. For a car its size and price, it is well constructed with safety in mind.