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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  My Kia Optima is just excellent! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By markinstpete - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I really enjoy my Optima. The drive is excellent, smooth running engine. While most 4 cylinder cars I tested lost alot of power when I flipped on the air, you dont notice any lack of power with my optima. I love the interior features alot. And it was all at an excellent price. I would definately recomend the optima to anyone.

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  A phenomenal value! - 2011 Kia Optima
  By ambobob - July 14 - 8:10 am

  We purchased our Optima about 5 months ago, and in that time have only put about 900 miles on it so its difficult to comment on reliability. But - that aside, wow do you get a lot of car for the money! Ours came practically loaded (minus the panoramic sunroof, navigation, heated/cooled seats) - for around $22,000. The interior is modeled after Audi, and seems like something youd find in a much more expensive car. The beautiful French stitching really catches the eye, and the exterior styling definitely turns heads! Kia has definitely come a long, long way in the past 10 years and I would encourage anybody who is in the market for a mid-size sedan to strongly consider the Optima.

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  Great Car! - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Great Buy - July 13 - 4:40 am

  I have had my Spectra for a little over a month and I love it. It is a very comfortable ride. I get around 400 miles to a tank with combined city/highway driving. All controls very easy to reach.

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  A "jewel" discovered by former luxury sedan owner - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By ncmtnbooper - July 11 - 4:09 pm

  Had AWD SX 3 weeks and ecstatic w/decision! Discerning and detail oriented, discovered this particular new model while refining choices for youngest daughter (buying first car entering final PhD student year in Cincinnati). Last two cars hand-built 2005 VW V8 Phaeton and 2001 BMW 750 IL, so I "know" luxury cars. At 62", comfort is a "must" - closely followed by size, performance, and value. "Fit" of loaded gray SX "just right" (golf clubs & accessories store privately in rear and roomy to ferry 2 standard poodles daily to office). No winter use yet for AWD, but MPG usually 30+. Daughter bought identical Red one sans NAV package. Wouldnt consider other non-turbo charged Sportages.

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  All the options, without the price tag - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By JoshL - July 10 - 8:06 pm

  My Sportage is fantastic. Kia has really stepped into the realm of producing quality cars in my opinion. I would put my car up against a Honda CR-V or Ford Escape any day of the week. And fully loaded around $20 - $21K, you just cant beat it. It is sporty, stylish, drives great, and is very comfortable, and with all the included safety features (side and front airbags standard, traction control, ABS brakes) I feel safe driving it. I would recommend the Sportage very highly to anyone who is in the market for a smaller SUV.

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  Blown Away - 2011 Kia Optima
  By dakota001 - July 9 - 4:09 pm

  I was looking at Lexus, Acura, Accord EX recently and drove by a KIA Dealership. I remember a friend had purchased a KIA years ago and put over 300,000 miles on it with virtually no problems. I was blown away at the Optima. It is elegant, refined, stylish and reasonably priced. After the test drive, I called my credit union and drove it home immediately. The next day when I went to sign the paperwork for my loan at the Credit Union, there two more new Optimas in the parking lot. The loan officers came out to look at them and were all oooohing and aahhhing. I LOVE my Optima

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  Very very nice crossover SUV for money - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By harry - July 5 - 6:06 pm

  Ive had my sorento for about 1 month, so far so good. Its a very solid vehicle. I test drive cr-v, gmc, Chevy etc. before I bought. I am very happy that I did not buy any of others. It has very nice interior and fun to drive.

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  2008 Kia Spectra5 SX - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Choncer - July 4 - 8:10 am

  The Spectra5 is a very fun spunky car that cant quite out-accelerate other like makes, at higher speeds it dominates. Turning and cornering is exceptional, sound system is lacking in quality, but replacing the door speakers makes a world of difference. Controls are very functional and convenient, construction is solid. After market accessories are limited, but thats to be expected with a new vehicle. Not fond of the fact that the glovebox doesnt lock. When rear seats are folded down though, all kinds of rear space. I cant say enough good things about this car.

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  Luv Bug - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Nan Brenny - July 2 - 4:22 pm

  Its the most fun to drive I have ever encountered. Handles like a dream. Has all the great technology...easy to understand

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  Seriously Consider a Kia Amanti - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By EVFK - July 2 - 10:00 am

  While looking for a used Lincoln Town Car, my husband talked me into test- driving a new Kia. Id never considered purchasing a foreign car, much less a Kia. I researched the 2004 Amanti on the Edmunds website and was pleasantly surprised by the high consumer rating and positive editor review. What really sold me were the incredible warranties offered with the car. The used Lincoln Town Car was more expensive than the Kia Amanti, had little if any warranty remaining (unless I wanted to purchase one), and it suffered from basic wear-and-tear. Do yourself a favor and just take a test drive, consider the warranties, and then make an informed decision. Youll love the 2004 Kia Amanti!!