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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  honeymoon over? - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By first kia - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Have had new since Nov 2003, now has 8200 miles. AC was not cooling well this summer(No other problems). They find low freon and no leaks, they assume low from manufacturer. Now hearing strange noises under the hood as driving down the road after this servicing: high pitched continuous noise, sort of like a vacuum noise, and then this random, short-lived humming-like sound that might be associated with the AC. I hope this is not the beginning of problem(s). Needless to say this will be re-evaluated soon.

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  Soul - 2012 Kia Soul
  By anniehall1 - July 19 - 6:47 pm

  Great experience buying newSsoul at Jeff Belzers in Lakeville MN. Working with internet Leasing Consultant Kara Little was great NO Pressure Love the Soul fun with the automatic transmission over ride to manual what a blast

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  LOVE THIS AMANTI - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By E. CRONEMEYER - July 19 - 2:26 pm

  The Amante appears to be constructed extremely well, it has 4 wheel disk brakes with ABS - the suspension is excellent so the ride is very smooth. The sensation of speed is almost undetectable partly due to variable power steering. Tires are rated at 130 mph which offers peace of mind at highway speeds. The airbags, total of 8, offer protection I have not seen in even other luxury cars. Also impressed with the alignment of sheet metal and the cars exterior finish (paint job). We have the silver color and very rich in appearance. Car seems to be very well enginered - I was impressed.

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  Hard on the wallet - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Tesha - July 18 - 10:00 am

  Gorgeous on the outside. Useless on the inside. Of the hood, that is. Ran great until I hit 100,000 miles. Since, my power steering, fly wheel, transmission and ac have went out, not to mention a few other minor problems. I will never recommend this vehicle to anyone. I have taken great care of this vehicle, keeping everything up to date and new but it has not returned the favor. It would be nice if the vehicle was as cheap as its quality.

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  Kia Kelly! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Kia Kelly - July 18 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my Kia Soul a few days ago. Love it! My teens love it, too. It has easy to use controls, lots of features, and fun to drive!! So far it seems to do well on gas mileage, but havent had to fill it up yet. I love the car, but the interior quality isnt great. I would still buy it though. It is a great car for the money. It has lots of room for my tall teenage boys. We love the ipod connector and the lighted speakers. Fun, fun, fun

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  Kia/Hyundai in, Honda and Toyota out - 2010 Kia Soul
  By California rugby - July 18 - 10:00 am

  Incredible value! If youre looking for a car in this category, this car is a must see. There are several other good cars that compete with the Soul sport but, when you factor in price, features, and warranty the Kia always comes out on top. Several months into ownership and not one problem at all. If money is not an issue then the Mini Clubman would be my 1st pick solely based on the vehicle itself. Honda and Toyota did not seem to have the "total" package for under $18k. Chevy HHR was same price but didnt like the way it drives nor the interior. My wife has had a Kia sedona for 5 yrs without any problems (buying a new one next week) so I am impressed with reliability.

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  Great value!!!! - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By BILLY C - July 17 - 3:33 pm

  I tried and priced many other SUVs but, the BORREGO is the best deal for the money!!!! You get way more bang for your buck with this baby!! Its has all the comforts of the more expensive bands and drives awsome. I already sold two to other people that saw my Borrego. I spend a lot of time at my job driving around looking and/ or estimating jobs, so comfort is big, my BORREGO is like being in a lounge chair all day!! I would recommend this suv to anyone looking for a superior suv for a rock bottom price!!

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  Beautiful, great performance, awesome value BUT poor "actual" fuel econmomy - 2012 Kia Optima
  By travelingwave - July 17 - 12:32 am

  I have a black on black fully loaded 2012 SX. I paid $30k. I have had about 3 months with 3500 miles on it( I dont drive it when there is snow, sand, etc. on the road) Great: Awesome exterior look, a real eye turner. It looks like Audi BMW, but $20k less. Performance-unbelievable - corners on rails, and there is no turbo lag. Bad Horrible actual( total miles/ gallons use) fuel economy compared what is advertise 24/34. I actual get about 24MPG ALL highway driving like a grandma. Fuel economy computer is not accurate. Narrow bucket seats, slightly tight on my shoulders Poor wheel well insulation. When driving on snow, gravel, sand, it very loud inside

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  I love my Kia - 2002 Kia Optima
  By misspat - July 16 - 3:20 am

  As a horse owner, this car has hauled 300 lbs. of feed in the trunk and performed beautifully down our dirt road. I have had only a few minor porblems which the dealer repaired under warranty very graciously. This is a hot little car; fun to drive and still haul the great-grand baby safely with the child lock doors. I am amazed at how fast and responsive the car is.

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  Great cute ute - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By rusticdriver - July 15 - 5:59 pm

  Finally got rid of my 10 yr old Toyota Sequoia-had problems with it from the get go. I live in rural Vermont on dirt roads and need clearance and 4WD plus room for 2 dogs and 2 kids. I love the Sportage. Very fun to drive and great gas mileage for 4WD-about 25 mpg average, mostly on rural roads. So far, good on dirt roads and I dont have serious tires on it yet. I bought the EX and the seats are very comfortable especially with the lumbar support for the driver. Very quiet ride. Visibility is fine in back, but the combination of the pillars and side mirrors in the front is a safety hazard! I cant see medians while turning left and I cant see people in in crosswalks.