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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  Quite Pleased With my Soul Sport - 2011 Kia Soul
  By fudogdad - May 7 - 4:59 pm

  I have a 2011 Soul Sport. With all the options but remote start. The car drives and handles great. I drive about an hour to and from work each day. The car has decent pick up so Im not a nervous Nelly when attempting to pass some traffic. I wish the seat had a bit more functionality. Its taken me a bit more time then typical to find my sweet spot. The seat doesnt go back far enough so, anyone taller than around 5 11" may have an issue with space. Im 5 11" and the seat is all the way back. The Tilt wheel is nice but Telescopic would be best. I love all the features of the car. Over all, I love the car. I traded in my Dodge Magnum R/T. It was a serious change by no regrets. Saves on Gas!

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  First new car - 2007 Kia Optima
  By happyasaclam - May 7 - 2:03 pm

  I have owned this car for one year today, and I love it more and more each day that I get behind that wheel. I hate to say that my baby has had to be in the shop a total of 8 times now. That is all do to the dealer that I bought it from. It got so bad, that I had to find a better dealership. There are a few things that are going wrong, and I am hopeful that they will be fixed right this time. The air bags in the front passenger side work when they want, the gas mileage is something all on its own, and the rear end is now having some problems that I have been waiting for to be fixed. All in all, I would never drive anything else. I love my KIA.

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  Awesome car, awesome price! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Nicole - May 7 - 3:20 am

  I traded in a 2005 Lincoln LS V8 for this and I was amazed at the pick up that this 4 cylinder has. I needed something with better gas mileage and I am getting between 35-40 mpg, which is roughly double from the Lincoln. If you arent too crazy about the exterior design, the interior might change your mind. It has a very young and sporty feel and is rather comfortable with all the standard features. I am happy with the trade and look forward to saving big bucks on gas and maintanence!

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  2004.5 Kia Spectra - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By bman41202 - May 3 - 3:50 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned. It has more horsepower and torque than the Civic or the Corolla. Every performance part store is trying to get new parts for the Spectra because they realize what potential it has.

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  2013 KIA Optima SX - 2013 Kia Optima
  By achero1 - May 2 - 10:00 pm

  Compared BMW 328, MB 300, Audi A4, and infiniti g37x to the KIA SX. Optima SX had more options and performance. The optima is a gorgeous car. the outside styling and paint finish is incredible. Interior materials are excellent quality. The navigation and radio respond very quickly. Front and rear seats are heated. I have had the car for a month, love how it drives and handles. The SX turbo flies with almost 274HP. this is my 3rd kia. They have been extremely dependable. There is nothing on the market that has the same value as a KIA. This is not the KIA of past. Toyota and Honda take note. I traded out of a m35x for the SX. The m35x was very expensive to maintain almost $12k a year.

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  Bye-Bye SCION XB - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Joe S - April 26 - 3:40 am

  After comparing the Scion XB and the Kia Soul.There is NO comparison in comfort, finish, style, price or warantee...After seeing both vehicles at Syracuse Auto show, I decided to test drive and compare both vehicles in Spring.The Scion definately has the more powerful engine, but it all ends there. The Soul has a more comfortable driving position, more standard features , bluetooth, better stereo system ,16 inch aluminum alloy wheels, better rear visability,better seats and interior quality, smooth controls, and free satillite radio( 3 mth trial).

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  So fun - 2014 Kia Soul
  By Daisy - April 24 - 2:07 pm

  This car surprises everyone that sees it, when I tell people I have a Kia their reaction is " Ewww a Kia!? " But when they get in it, they say " I cant believe its a Kia " I love everything about this car except the resale value, which is like giving the car away for free right after you drive it. Driving this car is fun yet elegant, its smooth and spacious even though it looks like a small toy from the outside. Ive had this car almost 2 years and I still smile when I walk up to it :)

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  Reliable Spectra - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Sean Watters - April 23 - 9:50 am

  I have had this car for the past two years and the only complaint that I have is the fact that it is a smaller car. It is obvious that a car that performs this well on and offroad, (from my experience) that size does not matter. I am extremely satisfied with this vehicle and believe that this car is perfect for college students or the everyday on the go person. It never crossed my mind when I got the car that I would be this satisfied with it. Since I have had this car, I have put 39,000 miles on it and it runs just as well as it did when I first purchased the car. In short, this car is a very reliable car as long as it is well maintained.

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  2011 Kia Rio - HAPPY CUSTOMER - 2011 Kia Rio
  By kiariodriver - April 20 - 1:04 am

  Overall the 2011 Kia Rio has been a terrific car. I bought it for better gas milage and the warranty, which Im hoping not to have to use. The steering is tight, lots of control and plenty of pick up and go. Ride is smooth, a little road noise, but not bad.

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  Love My Sorrento - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Steve - April 19 - 9:16 am

  I bought this as a demo, with 12000m. I love it and only a few minor problems the dealer dealt with. Fun factor of 12 out of 10. Front brakes will need to be turned at 15000m. Keep that in mind.