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:

• 

  Love it so far - 2012 Kia Soul
  By rltech07 - February 21 - 7:00 am

  Ive had my Soul+ for exactly 3 days, and Im officially in love. This little car is comfortable, surprisingly spritely to drive, and very economical. We traded a 2002 Jeep Liberty, which is probably the polar opposite of a Kia. We gave up a tiny bit of cargo room and some horsepower. We gained state-of-the-art safety and a vehicle that is a joy to drive - so far. I realize its early days. Something may go wrong, but right now I feel like this is not just a car, its a large, gas sipping pet.

• 

  So Far, So Good - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Mr Tightwad - February 21 - 2:00 am

  I was a little emarassed at first about having a Kia, but now enough people have ridden in it and had nice things to say about it that I am glad I bought it. Its actually a beautiful looking van, and the interior has unique styling and the controls are laid out smartly. I have had no mechanical problems with it. The ride feels great. The only problem I had was I took it to the car wash and spayed water on the bumper where it was pretty dirty, and a little bit of the paint just flew off. But the Kia dealer had it repainted without any questions or arguments.

• 

  The Kia Sedona - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Selig - February 21 - 2:00 am

  The Kia Sedona is the best mini van on the market. I purchased the van last year and since I purchased it my wife (who does not like to drive) has driven it more than I have. I am thinking about purchasing another Kia Sedona.

• 

  Never dreamed Id own a Kia! - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By ffc27 - February 20 - 6:41 pm

  Pros: I wanted an SUV with leg room (Im 511) and enough room for my 4 year old in her car seat to have enough leg room. The Sorento does not disappoint!! Its rare when I have to move my seat forward to drive comfortably, and in the Sorento, I have to do just that! I also wanted decent MPG and AWD. Hard to find in the same vehicle. Ive gotten as good as 26.9 MPG on the freeway pushing 80 MPH through a whole tank. I average 20-21 MPG in town. Cons: -The 4cyl is gutless -Third row is not an aftermarket option - I got this car with hopes of adding because AWD and 3rd row are hard to find. -headlights could afford to be brighter. The line where the light ends is frustrating.

• 

  The Amazing Amanti (Be Amazed!) - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By THE57SPOONS - February 18 - 4:10 am

  This is a refreshing change from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda and Mitsubishi, (and Ive owned them all in the past) . The ride is fantastic and I cannot began to tell you how many times people look at our black Kia wondering "thats nice!, what is it?" Were stopped all the time by friends, relatives, workmates, and folks we dont know asking about the car. Many peoples first thought is that it is a new Mercedes, or Jaguar from the front or even a new smaller Lincoln Town Car from the rear. I have never had a car that has generated more interest than our 2004 Kia Amanti!

• 

  Love my Kia - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By JENin5280 - February 17 - 6:46 am

  This is my second Kia. My first was a 2003 Sorento that I loved dearly, it just started getting expensive to maintain. So I "downgraded" or so I thought. I am always impressed with Kia and my Sportage is no exception. Gas mileage improves with every tank. Great, smooth ride. I drove 3 different Hondas and no one ever pulled up next to me at a light to ask me about my Honda, but they have about both of my Kias. People are curious. I love my Sportage, I loved my Sorento and I would recommend them to anyone. Oh, and I took it up to Breckenridge and over Loveland Pass a month ago and it performed flawlessly.

• 

  I LOVE THIS CAR! - 2016 Kia Soul
  By Chris Hoke - February 16 - 7:25 pm

• 

  My surprise - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Amanti - February 16 - 12:26 pm

  I have been a Cadillac owner for 30 years before I experience the Amanti. I rented this car on a business trip and had it for 2 weeks. I was to impressed with it, I drove to a local KIA dealer and told him to cloan it. He did give me a price and with the warranties I was very impressed. On my return home, I found a local dealer and just ordered it. I have taken two trips with it and found it like driving a Cadillac. You have one very satisfied customer. Please keep up the good work.

• 

  I love my Sorento - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Cathy - February 16 - 10:27 am

  I never in a million years thought I would buy a Kia. The car is so roomy for my giant husband. The seats are comfortable for my delicate back. The ride is smooth-I must watch my speed as I find I do 80 because it is so quiet and my speed creeps up on me. I thought I was going to get a Subaru Outback. They were giving me a poor trade in on my Cadillac and not offering a deal in any way and I was not in love with the car. I actually am not a lover of cars as many people are but, I love my Sorento. As far as trade in value, who knows and who cares. We tend to just keep them until they die anyway. I am still getting used to the bells and whistles.

• 

  Still Going! - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By M D Wright - February 15 - 10:14 pm

  Purchased my Kia Spectra brand new in Sept of 2007. Over 453,000 later, Still Going Strong! Standard reccomended maintenance.