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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  Very Nice SUV - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Stringmusic - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Great suv, fun to drive and loaded. This compares to the Lexus and Acura at a much smaller sticker price.

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  Great car! Great MPG! Best car I have ever owned! - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Vos - March 27 - 9:36 am

  I would have been happy with this car even if I had spent much more on it. With proper maintenance I did nothing to this car, and before I wrecked it in December it had 176,000 miles. I was very pleased with safety options, after a semi turned in front of me I totaled it, but was left uninjured. You could see how its design left it crunched in the front, but left cabin unaffected. Before the crash I was optimistic about making it to 250,000 miles, as the car still responded the same as the day I bought it new. The MPGs were great, normally averaging 33. It was not much to look at, but if you are looking for a reliable little car it will beat anything.

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  Gotta Love IT - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Casey - March 27 - 7:30 am

  When I went looking for a car I was in the market for used. My husband and I saw the Soul and my husband feel in love. It was new so I was a little leary but he talked me into it. I it has awesome features and it is great value for the price. I have driven other new cars that have had very cheap interior. The Souls interior may be cheap but it is much nicer than some of the other new makes I have test drove. I think that the performance is also up to par with the price. It is not luxury but it is nicer enough. This is a perfect car to release with the current economical situation. Just remember that you are buying a KIA not a BMW.

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  2001 Kia Sephia - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By DAKIAMAN! - March 26 - 2:53 pm

  I love this car. I originally bought a 1998 m type sephia and it was crap, always in the shop. But because I couldnt afford anything else, I decided to give Kia a second try. I bought an 01 Sephia LS with 10 miles and still drive it today with over 93K miles! This car has never let me stranded and always starts in the morning. I plan to keep this car forever! Im really happy to drive it everday!

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  100,000 miles in and alls well - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By kudosk9 - March 25 - 3:44 pm

  Now that Ive written this review everythings probably going to go the heck. I purchased this brand new, off the lot, with less than 100 miles on the clock. It now has over 100K. This car has been a solid work horse for me. Ive had to have it in for just one service that I wouldnt be considered wear and tear, and that was when a sensor went out at about 4mon and essentially meant the gas pedal wouldnt work. Apart from that, its been the usual things that happen to a 6 year old car that has 100k on the clock.

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  Very Impressed - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By stevejs - March 24 - 1:01 am

  I was looking for a car whose main purpose would be my long work commute. After viewing a dozen choices, I chose the Sportage. From the moment I began to drive it for the test drive, Kias past advertising slogan "the power to surprise" entered my mind. The 6 speed automatic had plenty of pep from 0-40 which takes care of most starts. The interior was spacious and the rear seats folded easily for added room. The UVO system provides great flexibility and the bluetooth connection is very clear and easy to use. The 2.4 engine pulled well and the added noise insulation for 2012 makes the car quite even at highway speeds. for the price, this is a great value.

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  So far so good... - 2012 Kia Optima
  By bykdude - March 17 - 9:07 am

  Great car and great value. First 1000 miles ok. Only complaint would be the seats. Dude...you might as well be seating on a park bench. Other than that, this vehicle has all the features of any other luxury car. Well just have to see how it stands up over time.

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  In defense of the Optima - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Leo Miller - March 12 - 4:40 pm

  I recently rented an Optima for a week trip. It was by far the most enjoyable car I have ever driven..I recently dumped my Mercedes AMG last month for numerous ongoing problems. The Optima was responsive, comfortable, quick acceleration and the gas mileage exceeded 30 mpg on the highway. I am planning to buy one in the next 30 days. I understand that one week is not the same as owning, but I was that impressed with the car.

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  Great Value - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Bill B - March 11 - 9:13 pm

  Steering Wheel buttons rubbing off. Bumpers withstand very little without paint chip. Typical lack of room in regular sized minivan and/or SUV

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  well liked - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By cdimmitt - March 11 - 7:46 am

  This is the third Kia I have owned, and feel they have come along way since the old style of Sportage. Ive had both. This one is by far better than the old style. My boyfriend owns the Sorento and a friend bought a Sportage because she liked our cars so much.