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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  2004 Kia Optima Great Car - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Cptterry - August 7 - 1:20 pm

  Bought this car new! Have had no major problems at all. Key to any car performing to your expectations..... Maintenance, follow the schedule. I have replaced tires once at 60 K along with timing belt with required maintenance. Oil and filter EVERY 3,000 miles. 2 head lamp builds an 1 set of brake pads ( Front ) I will buy another Kia again! I worked for a GM dealer for 21 years .. thought we built great cars..... NOT!

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  Fun little car - 2014 Kia Soul
  By Stephen Gannon - August 7 - 4:09 am

  Our 2014 Kia soul is a plus model with 18" wheels and sorry red accents. Its fun to drive and head more room that one we of expect, especially when the rear seats are down. My diameter loves the car so- home run. We purchased this from carvana and cant say enough good things about their service a d how easy it is to buy a car from them. Im a big fan and will certainly but from them again.

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  its a decent car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Malik - August 6 - 10:00 am

  ride it to believe it .. its a nice car .. interior should be made better

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  For the price, cant beat it - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By ROLOH - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Well folks I read all the reviews here when I went to look at it and was very impressed. Most everyone loved it! Test drove a second time and was sold. Plenty of power, great ride, looks great, drives great, and saves me $100 bucks a month over my previous car the grand cherokee, with a fantastic waranty. I have never had so many people stop me to ask about the car I was driving.

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  a car for all seasons - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By s. fischman - August 3 - 2:53 pm

  Smooth quiet ride with luxurious roomy interior. The handling and turning radius is excellent. The storage is adequate and the pass through is a plus.

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  New Kia Amanti Owner - 2007 Kia Amanti
  By Jim - August 3 - 5:06 am

  JUST traded in my 2002 Lincoln Continental for my new loaded Amanti. I have to say I am absolutely amazed that I actually did this. Im still in shock but was looking for a new car and fell in love with the Amanti. I was nervous about the size difference, roominess and comfort but after a day long test drive went back to the dealer and bought it on the spot. Never would have thought Id own a Kia and thats the best compliment I can give - it had to really impress me to buy one. I havent had it long enough to give a full - thorough review but so far so good. Drives great, fun power and more comfortable than I would have imagined. Quiet, smooth ride - that from a Lincoln owner.

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  Very Good Value - 2011 Kia Soul
  By pa_hiker - July 31 - 11:32 am

  My daughter purchased this this vehicle 3 weeks ago -- base with 1.6L and 5spd. I have driven it about 500 of the 2500 miles so far. On a trip from Michigan to Pennsylvania, we achieved 36.2 mpg over 600 miles. AC was on part of the time and there were two persons and back was loaded with cargo. I drove the posted speed of 70 most of the way and 65 in PA. Interior dash and controls are very nicely designed. I much prefer it to my 2008 Scion xB. Vehicle is very spacious, handles well, and is very practical. Driving position is ideal for shorter person, but room for large driver as well. Extensive safety features for a car in this price range. Purchase was painless at dealer.

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  WE LIKE IT ALOT - 2003 Kia Optima
  By CLAY - July 30 - 10:00 am

  WEVE OWNED ACCORDS AND CAMERYS AND THIS IS RIGHT UP THERE WITH THEM. THE RIDE IS BETTER, THE TRANSMISSION ISNT AS GOOD, THE STYLE IS MUCH BETTER AND THE WARRANTY BUMPER TO BUMPER PUTS THE OTHERS TO SHAME. 5YRS. TO SAVE $8,000 DOLLARS OVER THE ACCORD AND CAMERY AND GET A COMPARABLE CAR IS GREAT.

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  very nice are for the price - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By darkdrone - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my first new car a month ago and it was the 03 kia. I have really enjoyed driving it and not to mention what i am paying for it was also very nice of the wallet.

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  Could not have wished for a better minivan!!!! - 2016 Kia Sedona
  By CK - July 30 - 4:20 am

  We absolutely LOVE our Sedona! We spent a lot of time looking at minivans and trying to find the right one that would be safe for our family. After driving the Sedona we knew it was what we needed. It is always a little scary buying a new car but we have had it for a few months now and are still incredibly happy with it. I actually told my husband the other day that after owning this I will probably always want a minivan it is so comfortable.