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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  Update- 5 months and 6,000 miles, still loving it - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By richardar6 - January 28 - 7:24 am

  First, let me tell you that Im picky. Ive owned a lot of vehicles, from cars, to Suvs, to pickup trucks. I love to drive, and the Auto Shows are my Disney World. I wanted a lot for my money and I wanted a well made vehicle that will last. I got what I wanted so far. 6,000 miles so far and not 1 issue. Do I get advertised MPG? No, but I never have on any vehicle Ive owed. I didnt get the V6 because I wanted great MPGs. (even the Honda fit I use as company car doesnt get advertised MPG) Anyway, I researched, I test drove, and I got exactly what I expected. Very happy with my decision!

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  Mountain man - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Matt - January 27 - 11:51 pm

  I had a 2003 Kia spectra and I drove up Tennessees tallest mountain with it. There were no other cars on the road and I think it took me an hour to get up the mountain. I almost thought I was going to to have to turn back. I had my foot full th royal on the gas and she was doing 30 but she made it up the mountain. I was scared. And one time I lost the front bumper and she ran like a kitten. The Japanese make a really good car and they dont screw me by trying to put sythetic oil in my car. I hate my 2003 Volkswagen all Ive done since I had it is repair it.

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  KIA SORENTO - GREAT BUT NOT FILLING - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By DRJOHN - January 24 - 10:00 am

  JUST CAME OFF A 5000 MILE vacation trip THRU THE ROCKIES. NO OFF ROAD TRAvel. The KIA SUV handles like a dream, rides like a dream, and it is very quiet. I road in a Mercedes c320 wagon recently and it was noisy and it road very hard like a pick-up truck. I wouldnt trade even up. At $ 20,000, 10 year/100,000 mile warranty (best in the business) its a steal. We used to have a Suzuki SUV V6. Cute car, but it would have had to struggle up those mountains on this trip and it road much harder. The KIA SUV is truely a Luxury machine. Its quick too! BEST VALUE ON THE MARKET. BELONGS IN THE TOP 10 OF SUVs. I got 20 mpg, but IT weighs 4000#s.

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  My Silver Rocket - 2007 Kia Amanti
  By Avi - January 23 - 3:53 pm

  I bought my Amanti primarily for my wife in January 2008. The Amanti I bought was slightly used with 10,300 miles at the time of purchase. We traded in my wifes 2001 Buick Century. Although she loved her Century, it could not compare to the 2007 Amanti. The Amanti rides as well as or better than a Buick Lucerne or Park Avenue, and goes like a rocket. I have never driven such a luxurious riding car with such power. The car had to be returned to the dealer for two minor defects; but other than that, it is rock solid with excellent quality. Anyone that drives a 2007, 2008, or 2009 Amanti with the 264 hoursepower engine will LOVE it.

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  More than you expect - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Bill - January 20 - 8:46 am

  This car is far more than I ever expected! I have owned several high end European cars and I am just as happy with the KIA as I was with any of the much higher priced cars. Everyone who rides with us says the car is beautiful and rides like a dream. I love this car.

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  Great economy car very dependable. - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Mark - January 17 - 10:43 pm

  This is my second Kia Rio 4 door sedan. I buy the base model with no power steering, no air, no radio. I live in Minnesota and in the winter at 20-30 below zero it always starts right away and heats up in less then 2 miles of driving. Gas mileage is 33-35 city and 45-48 highway. This car uses the old Mazda 626 drivetrain and so it is a very dependable car. Several of my family members have also purchased either the Rio, or Sophia. Just a really dependable vehicle for the day to day drive, with a fully adjustable drivers seat (On the Rio only). Maintenance through the dealership is very reasonable compared to other cars.

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  Great Little Roomy Family Car! - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By mndjansen - January 17 - 3:30 pm

  I have only had this car for a little while. However my husband and I are amazed over the comfort of the car. We love how quick it handles and how much fun it is to drive. The gas mileage is one of the best options as well! Overall it is exactly what we were looking for.

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  Best Valued SUV Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By MIKE M - January 17 - 10:00 am

  I researched SUVs for 6 months and test drove all of them: Sorento, Sante Fe, Suzuki, Trailblazer, Explorer, Montero, 4Runner, Durango. After overcoming the KIA concerns and test driving I was sold. This is a solidly built, excellent handling and riding SUV. It met my needs for a midsize with towing capabilities and all the amenities at a very affordable price. I drive both city and highway and it performs excellent in either situation. With the excellent warranty you cant go wrong.

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  Kia Rio 2008 - 2008 Kia Rio
  By roger - January 13 - 4:36 am

  I love my KIA Rio. It gets 34 mpg. It is fun to drive. Warranty is great. It is the best car for the price.

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  third car - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By k/dan - January 12 - 3:36 am

  well i have bought alot of cars but this seem to be a fun car to drive even though it is just a third for the winter still liking it