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 Buy - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Joe79 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I did so research on Vans before I bought it and this is definitly the best bang for the buck. The interior is very nice and well designed and the kids were so quiet on the trip home, it was unbelieveable

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  gas mileage - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By larry seedle - August 6 - 10:00 am

  just poor gas mileage but van is ok. they need to ork on the gas mileage. and more room in the back.

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  Impulse Purchase - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By First KIA - August 6 - 6:20 am

  This car handles the curves on the road very well. The gas mileage is excellent. I think its even better than the Ford Focus. I like the fact that it has a sporty look. The spoiler is a great addition. I needed a car, check out the dealership and price and rode off into the sunset with a brand new vehicle.

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  2016 Sportage - 2016 Kia Sportage
  By Cindy C - August 3 - 9:01 pm

  Love the car! The only reason Im letting it go is because its leased and I got a job that requires a LOT of driving!

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  I never thought I would buy a Kia - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Robert - August 3 - 8:06 am

  i recently found myself in the position of needing a new car. I shopped Chevy, Ford, Toyota, Nissan and ended up at a Kia dealership on a lark. Once I rode in it... It was over. The ride, the amenities and the look had me at hello. I had been driving in a friends Lexus and the experience was virtually the same for less than half the price. I want home, did my "due diligence" and found an overwhelming abundance of positive reviews and experiences regarding the Amanti. In the "bang for the buck" category, the Amanti is the winner, Hands down.

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  The headlamps - 2004 Kia Optima
  By The Captain - August 1 - 2:40 am

  The 2004 Optima has an issue with the headlamp lenses. It is sort of a cataract on the lens itself. After a while you will not pass an inspection As I found out and too late they refused to warranty this item since it is there problem, the dealer strung me along to come back and replaced light bulbs. SO that I would have to pay for new lamps Check your Kias and get it done before the warranty is out. I Like the Kia , but do to the poor quality of service networks I will trade for a better brand name next time.

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  Sweet Little Car! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Amanda Clark - July 31 - 11:40 pm

  This car is a great value. I have been the only owner for 6 years, 220k miles. Handles curvy roads great w/o the traction control. The traction control becomes a pain when driving curvy roads as the brake activates and locks up a wheel as your are mid turn. Other than that the acceleration is great. Has guts. Very comfortable for 4 grown adults. Have been very happy with maintenance, as good my moms Honda CRV. Really good gas mileage, I average 27-29 MPG, in the city it was up to 32 MPG! Compact size makes parking anywhere a breeze. Trunk has lots of space, even with 2- 12 Rockfords.

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  traded down from a Sorento - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Shanna - July 31 - 10:26 pm

  Bought car 3 wks ago after buying a Sorento I had 8 wks. This car was suggested by dealership. I highway miles a day so Im a bit dissapointed. My kids are a bit tight w/ 2 boosters & a 13 yr old in back, but its doable and he can buckle ok. The side mirrors are rectangular & takes getting use to, dont feel like I always get good coverage. Powers good & handles huge daily hill ok. The material is CHEAP & pills (balls up on seats). Ill be investing in seat covers! Got silver & it hides dirt well, looks sharp. Happy w/ purchase, wish I had electric seats/sunroof but was upside down & couldnt afford more. overall I dig it.

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  Nice Car - POOR fuel economy not as advertised - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By hellcat2000 - July 31 - 3:24 am

  Bought a new 2012 Kia Sportage EX. Initially very pleased with the purchase. Rides ok, has nice features with the premium package to include the NAV system and backup camera. Tracked the MPG and started noticing poor fuel economy. Things havent changed. Sticker stated 21/25/32 for city/combined/hwy. Real world achieve 25-26 highway, 16-17 city. Usually average 20-22. Consumer Reports fuel economy testing is spot on and exactly what I get, unfortunately didnt do my research. Bottom line, descent car for the price, pretty cool features and nice looking car. Reasons to stay away: No longer trust KIA due to false claims, and FUEL economy well below sticker claim.

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  Great Small car but can be pricey - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Benjamin - July 30 - 1:26 am

  Recently i bought my 2002 Kia Spectra, so far its been a great little car and even with a 153,000 miles on it it still has a lot of its kick still in it, cant burn out but it tries like hell to, but the only things i have had to done lately is servicing when bought the car it had no air filter and the spark plugs were bad so changed all that and it seemed like it had a new life in it, but recently the front right tire seemed like it was going to fall off due to a tire shop so i had to spend 500 dollars to get all that fixed but ever since then best little car i ever owned and gas mileage is great get a 100 miles to a forth of a tank plus it tries to be sporty at times.