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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  I Love my 2005 Sportage !! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Kathy - April 12 - 5:13 pm

  As a consumer I have to say I really love my 2005 Kia Sportage. The new design is roomy, comfortable and makes me feel safe and secure. I always likes the looks of the original Sportage but must say the larger 2005 Sportage is really a good looking car. The warranty with the 60,000 or 5 year roadside assistance along with the extended 100,000 mile warranty at no charge in the purchase price would be hard to beat... and that aspect made a large impact on my purchase decision. I live in a small city that as severe winters and heavy snow..while I didnt buy a 4x4 I have no worry regarding winter performance. Besides, with the roadside assistance at no charge to me I trust Kias dependability.

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  My new Toy - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Matt - April 12 - 10:53 am

  I needed to get out of the sports car I was in. So I did my homework and went to the auto show in Cleveland Ohio and fell in love with the Sportage. Been in heaven since. Great car for the money. Make sure you get the v6 EX 4x4.

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  Youve got to drive it - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By chasborg - April 12 - 10:33 am

  We actually went to the dealer to buy a Chrysler 300. We took the Chrysler for a test drive and saw the Amanti in the showroom and took it for a drive too. The interior of the car was beautiful and gave a feeling of luxury. The leather was beautiful and there was plenty of room both in front and back. Accesss was easy. I couldnt believe the radio. It sounded better than any other auto radio Ive ever heard. We were trading in a Lincoln LS and didnt feel that we were trading down but up. This car had many more features. Its not a race car but it moves pretty quickly. The ride is very comfortable and quiet. To appreciate it, youve got to drive it. It has a great 10 year warranty too.

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  not as expected - 2009 Kia Sedona
  By nan - April 11 - 9:56 pm

  We rode in 2 Sedonas EX that provided great ride over bumps, etc. However, due to color etc. we bought a different color Sedona EX and find the ride over cracks in the road etc. very uncomfortable. Rides well on smooth roads, but otherwise, like an old truck. Very disappointed in the quality of ride.

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  It performed so good, I bought another KIA. - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By rsgamboa - April 11 - 8:19 pm

  Performance, fuel, design is great. I had it for 3 years now with 24,539 miles. Drives great especially on road trips (maybe except for the leather is a little firm). MPG is what they said it was. No problems yet inside and out. My wife and I like it so much (KIA) that 6 months after, we bought a 2010 KIA Forte w/ 6 speed auto transmission and electric motor steering.

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  New blue ride - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By 004TJK - April 11 - 1:33 pm

  Trust Edmunds, I did. Good things from Kia do come in blue packages. Engine is smooth and pulls well in normal driving. Seats are very comfortable, finding a comfortable driving position was a snap. All of the controls are within easy reach and the buttons are intuitive. Handling is very good; it handles bumps and ruts in the road nicely. Its a great commuter. The radio/cd is not as bad as the reviews seem. Just dont try to thump the base too loud. Getting 30-32 mpg. Im having a blast driving the car and my sons friends think its "cool" to boot. Not bad for less than $15k!

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  Fun dependable vehicle - 2012 Kia Soul
  By lovestalaugh - April 9 - 12:46 pm

  I bought my Kia Soul a year ago. I love driving it and find it good on gas. The inside is much larger than it looks. You can really fit alot in there. I have had no problems at all except for a blown fuse which the dealership took care of no problem. It is a great car for the price . I bought mine at Commonwealth Motors in Lawrence Mass and def recommend them, they are easy to deal with, have good prices and are not pushy. I go there for all my maintenance needs.

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  Not all That.... - 2012 Kia Optima
  By torch1342 - April 9 - 6:08 am

  Seriously, you all need to get over yourselves with this car. The interior is cramped and the interior is one giant piece of hard plastic. The headroom up front is not good if your over 6ft. The 2.4l engine makes a loud buzzing noise when you hit the gas. Overall I am pretty dissapointed with my purchase. If you read the reviews you would think that the Optima is a Mercedes, well sir it is not....

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  No need for V6 in Rondo - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Rollie4 - April 8 - 6:46 pm

  After 8000 km, here is how I compare it to my previous 2002 PT Cruiser Limited. Turns shorter, rides better, speedometer easier to read, seats almost as good, fuel consumption 15% better at 8.4 l/100km, roomier, better visibility, more sun/sky glare thats a no no, tailgate stays cleaner of dust and mud, 2 inches more road clearance is important on snow and back roads, I miss PTs sturdy rear shelf, Electrically heated seats work well in Alberta, drives good but does not hold the road as good as "the little TANK". Great access for an old geeser of 79. PT was great for 103,000 trouble-free kms but that low road clearance did me in, road garbage cost the PT a radiator.

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  2006 Sedona Minivan - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By apostled612 - April 8 - 4:51 pm

  Well we bought the vehicle used and the the fist thing that happened when we took it to the Kia dealer for complete service, the vehicle was in great shape until they did a recall on the left rear passenger door, the dealer was replacing the rear door latch. Since then the door has not opened on its own. Sometimes we have to play with the controls to make the rear door close properly.