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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  Broke KIA - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By Steve - November 25 - 2:30 am

  The main problem I have with this vehicle is the passenger seat airbag. I have had numerous problems with my passenger seat air bag and with five trips to the dealership it still has not been fixed. Now they say it is not working because my wife does not weigh enough, and with her just over 100 pounds I find that hard to believe. Simply stated the vehicle is junk, and they have no regards to our safety by not fixing it.

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  LOVE MY KIA - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Helen - November 24 - 1:50 am

  I have had 2 Dodge Caravans & would never own another one after purchasing our Kia Sedona. In the past 13 months we purchased it we have had no problems. It is GREAT to drive & very comfortable & dependable. My sister liked ours so much she went & purchased one.

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  Amanti Ride - Enjoyable - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By 2004 Kia Amanti - November 23 - 11:43 pm

  For the money, it is a nice riding and fairly reliable automobile. The quality of interior components is great. The exterior trim and styling are outstanding. The drivetrain components maintain their life expectancy. Contrary to Consumer Reports, the car does NOT shake and rattle at high speeds. The exterior hepa filter for incoming air is a problem. When it clogs, its a $245.00 replacement item. The vehicle and computer will operate without the filter. At 30,000 miles, two new sets of front rotors, tires and oil/filter every 3,000 keeps me going. An enjoyable car to drive and maintain.

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  Excellent Car - 2007 Kia Rio
  By Michiganpastor - November 23 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car brand new and now have over 106,000 miles on it. Ive had almost no problems. I replaced 2 wheel bearings and just now changed the front brake pads which still had life in them! I changed the timing belt at 60,000 by choice. It hadnt broken. Thats it. Everything else (except the tires) are original. Gas mileage is low 30s. They told me Id get 40mpg but that doesnt happen. I have an automatic by the way. And yesterday I hit a deer broadside at 55 mph and the car just kept on going! Never even knocked it out of lane. I was flabbergasted. Its $3100 in damage but I can still drive it. So far its been one of the best cars I ever bought.

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  Just one week, but... - 2010 Kia Optima
  By Marla - November 23 - 10:00 am

  I love my Optima. Purchased a 2010 Optima on 10/30/10, and 500 miles later, its great. I am a short woman, and its a comfy drive for me, as well as a comfy ride. My husband is 6, my sons are 510" and 57", and they can all sit very comfortably in the back seat, too (fabulous rear leg room!). Just enough toys to make me happy, but not so many cool electronic gadgets that Ill worry about one breaking. I really love the Sirius radio, the cruise control works flawlessly, and the controls for both on the steering wheel are great.

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  Kia Optima - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Tim A - November 23 - 6:46 am

  I never thought I would own a KIA. After looking at the Mazada 3, and 6, the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry there was no comparison when you looked at what you got for your dollar. I am very satisfied with my dollar return, crash ratings and most importantly the warranty that was standard. Great car for the value. Look out Honda and Toyota.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By hek - November 22 - 7:59 pm

  Like most folks I was hesitant to buy anything Korean based on friends who actually bought them. After watching and researching the rise of both Hyundai and KIA I decided to give it go. I got a good deal thanks to having both a 2008 CRV and 1999 CRV which is what we used as a trade-in.Also, recent college grad helped as well. The 2011 KIA has its strong points and both Honda and Toyota better wake up. With 18s the KIA is definitely the more firm/harsh ride but also decidedly more sporty. The Honda has more cargo room and better visibility overall. The build quality is tight and the car pretty much sells itself which is a good thing because the dealers look like they need some upgrading.

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  Excellent Car in its Class - 2007 Kia Rio
  By mwide - November 19 - 8:06 pm

  The Kia Rio5 SX is actually a fine car. The mileage has been excellent (though not quite what Id expect), the ride is very good and the design is really eye-pleasing. Overall, no one who has been in and seen this car can believe that it is a Kia and that it comes in at such a low cost.

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  Done with KIA - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Mburgess - November 19 - 2:10 pm

  Overall the Sedona is a pretty good van except for the gas mileage. bought the van used, being a single mom and GSleader I needed the room and a dependable van. The dealership i purchased it from in Feb 06 is OUT OF BUSINESS & now there are NO records of all the gas mileage problems. I took to another dealership "they cant find anything wrong", but they did replace the float sensor in the gas tank and LOST my mileage log that i had been keeping track of for 2 yrs. I get around 10-13 miles/city and 17-19 hwy. I am on the third set of tires and third set of brakes. I tried to trade in on an 08 - they will only give me $4k - i still owe $11k. but said van was in great condition!

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  "One Smiling Soul" - 2010 Kia Soul
  By S. Jones - November 19 - 7:33 am

  A car you can not help but have fun driving! I wanted a car as fun as my old mazda p5 who recently met her demise. The new mazda 3 looks like one of the "killer Clowns from outer space " one ugly vehicle. I checked out other 5 doors but $ always reared its head. So no brainer on features the Kia won. After the test drive I was hooked. It drives like a little sports car but with room for 3 golfers and their gear. The molten red Sport is a head turner. Every morning now I can not wait to drive with a smile and little more Soul.