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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  Nightmare on Kia Street - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By IHateKia - December 6 - 6:23 am

  This has to be the worst vehicle ever created. My transmission was replaced at 15,000 miles. The brakes squeak all the time. The rotors were ruined quickly. Ive had it towed an average of 3 times per year. All 3 KIA dealerships could not fix recurring problems. There was a popping noise on the drivers side that no one could diagnose. The tires had to be replaced within 20,000 miles. The car metal is so weak that it looked like someone beat the side of it with a bat (door dings). Everyone says it has a good warranty, but it wont cover all the problems you face. Plus, you wont get a free rental car when you car is constantly in the shop. It was totaled by a few minutes of hail.

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  The moron who left Toyota for the 2014 Cadenza - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By 6406nb - December 6 - 1:01 am

  Dont get me wrong. I love the HD radio, the heated steering wheel along with the ride & handling. But so many little things have broken or gone wrong--the backup camera, the panoramic sunroof rattling which took 4 tries to fix, the volume control on the steering wheel broke, the sun visor tore, the seat belt stopped retracting, and the bluetooth is frustrating. I leased it thankfully because the value has crashed so to get out with 15 months to go would cost thousands out of pocket. If you love what you are driving dont experiment. Stick with the brand you know. I am now waiting for parts while driving a dodge loaner. Its nauseating. This wasnt the plan. The dealer tries its best.

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  Amanti Believer 6 + Cadenza Follower - 2016 Kia Cadenza
  By Jim - December 5 - 6:09 am

  Absolutely loved the Kia Amanti drove for 6+ years..Bought 2016 Kia Cadenza...A great ride with important safety items in base price...Lane departure / cross traffic signal / large area viewing backup camera etc.....Other sedans you pay for add on safety...

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  What a great car! - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By jenean - December 5 - 2:53 am

  Wonderful vehicle. I got rearended in this vehicle and the insurance company had to total it but I walked away without a scratch on myself or my son who was sitting in the passanger front seat. Very safe car. I highly recommend it. We liked it so much we went and bought a 2007 EX.

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  Way to go Lia - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By americal68 - December 4 - 10:13 pm

  As amazing as it may seem, the only thing I have found so far I would change is that the leather cover on the steering wheel is a little slick and could use more grain. Fantastic bang for the buck!

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  Went from a Forester XT to a Sportage SX AWD - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By mike_in_nepa - December 3 - 7:40 pm

  In the last 7 years, I had 2 different turbo AWD models (05 Legacy GT and a 09 Forester XT Ltd w/ Nav). It might seem like a step down to go from a Subaru to a Kia, but it actually was a large upgrade for the most part. My Kia Sportage SX AWD is equipped with the Premium Package with Leather, and the Navigation package. My Sportage SX outshines the Forester in terms of comfort, audio, and performance. The seats are very comfortable for long trips, the drivers seat is both heated and cooled, the cabin is much quieter, etc. Visibility is an issue here - looks great, but there are plenty of blind spots. Far less body roll than my Subarus. My fuel economy ranges from 23.1 to 25.5.

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  Cant Believe I Bought a KIA-But Glad - 2007 Kia Amanti
  By HappyKIAOwner - December 3 - 4:23 am

  Owned a Caddy for 190,000 miles and loved it. Went to buy another and saw this bright silver like new KIA Amanti next to it. Carmax salesman said give it a drive--best value on the market for a full size sedan. And he was right. Have only owned it a month-- but already taken a couple of 800 mile trips. Great ride and performance. Great gas mileage and uses regular gas. Have a bad back and the lumbar support and adjustability was fantastic. Sound system blew me away. Wife was skeptical at first-- but after driving it a couple of times she said hmmm! Trust me that is a big compliment. Cant believe KIA is marketing this car harder,

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  Kia Amanti - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Glenrait - December 2 - 2:33 pm

  The typical Kia reliability is evident in the Amanti as well as in the other Kia cars Ive owned over the past 11 years. Excellent value, absolute reliability. Its not a "performance" car, nor does it pretend to be. More than adequate power for "normal" driving.

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  Good Not Excellent Car - 2016 Kia Forte
  By Leland Lesher - December 2 - 12:44 pm

  The 6 speed manual transmission is geared MUCH too close together. In town I shift from 1st to 3rd to 5th and run in 5th from 30-45 MPH. They could do without 2nd and 4th gears and raise the ratio of 6th and make a nice 4 speed transmission. Might be great in Korea or other countries where one never drives above 55 MPH. I would hate this car in Germany because I would be maxing out engine RPMs in 6th gear on the Autobahn. 6th gear should have the engine running about 2,000 RPMs at 70 MPH which would make the fuel economy excellent instead of just good. Interior is NOISY, even without my hearing aids. I dont know if it is the NEXEN stock tires or just the engine noise. I will know better after I change out the tires to Good Years or some other US manufactured "quiet" tire.

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  Best Overall Buy in Class and Style - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By AlbertOMG - December 2 - 12:16 pm

  Bought it, broke it in and then drove from L.A. to Zion Natl Park to Lees Ferry to Grand Canyon and back with car fully loaded (included two bikes on a hatch rack). I even slept in it twice. It handled great and was always comfortable! I love it! Pros: spacious, good control placement, storage!, good handling turning when driving aggressively, looks. Cons: odd acceleration - tends to over-rev, rear speakers. Bottom Line: Ive looked and this is the best car for the dollar for space, fuel economy, comfort, looks. Another may handle a bit better or jump faster but Kias the best overall.