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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  Better then those expensive cars - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By k1a4m3 - February 22 - 2:53 am

  I was very very skeptical about getting this car at first. I mean, come on. a KIA! But in the end I fell in love with it. The car is very good looking, but is obviously a carbon copy of the Civic, just park your next to one you WILL see it. Very well built, doors feel sturdy, everything feels well built and tight. There is no rattling at all even when going over hard bumps and potholes. The car feels very powerful, though not so much in 1st gear. I drive with a lot of friends in the car to classes and it still feel very strong with 4 grown men in the car. It is very very very quiet on the highway even when hitting speeds of 80 mph, where most cars get the windy noise.

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  Loving My Kia - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Becca - February 21 - 8:33 am

  We traded a F150 pickup for this Sorento for me to take care of "Mom" duty. I have come to love it. I use to have anxiety about driving, not now! I can fit so much stuff inside that suv. I put a basketball goal in back. We fit two households of shopping plus two adults and three kids. I have found that there is nothing standing in my way. It is sporty, fun, and NOT TOO big for me to park! Driving an automobile that was too large for me had really robbed me of the freedom of driving. I would come home with tension headaches. Now I love to drive and feel that makes driving safer. Thanks Kia, I feel like my Sorento was custom made for me and my life! And It isnt a minivan. GREAT!

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  Optima Hybrid Great Value all Around - 2012 Kia Optima
  By ennui5000 - February 20 - 8:17 am

  I chose the KIA Optima Hybrid because these were the hybrids dealers were willing to negotiate lower and KIA offered additional incentives. From what I understood, it was the same system as the Sonata. 2010s KIA seems to be the great deal like their cousins unknown cousins were in the early 2000s. I am learning the car. Mostly, I keep it in cruise control as the EVO best monitors the performance. This works well. If you drive in EVO on your own, their is slight hesitation (why I gave it 4). EVO off and you feel the 200 HP and it moves without hesitation!! Lots of room, quiet, smooth ride, panoramic sunroof has wind shield. Tons of features. Handles well.

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  I LOVE my 2010 Kia Forte EX - 2010 Kia Forte
  By djb - February 17 - 4:13 pm

  With 4000k miles in 2 months since driving it off the lot, I have only great things to say about this car! Everything. Absolutely everything is awesome! It looks sharp, like a Lexus and drives like a sporty Cadillac with room to spare! The bluetooth and Sirius rocks especially now that msnbc is on channel 90. I spend more time in my car than my house and feel like Im not missing out on anything! The fully reclining front seats let me catch some needed zs in sweet comfort, and when I need some zip, its there big-time without hesitation! For the price, it doesnt get any better than this! The fun is free!

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  I love it. - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By urban07 - February 17 - 12:40 am

  I am a little surprised when I read the reviews here, the Rondo has been the best car to me that I have ever owned. Smooth ride, feels safe, lots of room in the 5 seater, I could not ask for a better car. Best bang for your buck. I am normally an old hot rod / chevy guy and well this is a different image that I grew to like especially with the whole Rainbow advertising.

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  Good purchase - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By tommyg - February 16 - 10:00 am

  Car is surprisingly good,and rates favorably with ford focus

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  very excellent car - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By sophielove - February 16 - 10:00 am

  car is really a great family car. low on gas usage and just a smooth driving vehicle that will be good for a family.

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  Bargin Pocket Rocket - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Richard - February 14 - 12:26 pm

  Still in getting broken in period, have the Corsa Blue, get lots of looks as the color seems to glow in the dark.

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  Great car with great mileage and comfort - 2010 Kia Forte
  By WA3ERQ - February 13 - 11:40 am

  I also have the EX with the Fuel Economy package. Runs nice and quiet along with being comfortable inside. I traded in a Dodge Caravan and this is my second Kia (also own a Sedona). Kia products seem to be very well constructed since I havent had any problems and really dont expect any. The 3 months Sirius is great since Ive never used this before so its a good way to try it out. The bluetooth is also great, especially for your phone (it shows who you are talking to and has voice activated commands).

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  dont pay more for a name brand - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By dino1 - February 13 - 2:00 am

  We have had our Sedona for six months now, and we love it! No problems at all.At first we were a little leary about buying a Kia, but with all the great extras you get(moonroof,cd player,power everything)then the warranty, and of course the huge savings over the other guys, we would be stupid to get anything else. Although it does use a lot of gas!