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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  we love it - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By twinglemom - January 21 - 2:00 am

  We spent alot of time pricing & researching all the different minivans. What it comes down to is you can get just as nice of a van for about $10,000 less than anywhere else! We have now had our van for almost a year & have had no problems with it what so ever...We LOVE it!

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  Kia Soul - 2013 Kia Soul
  By candycandela - January 20 - 1:27 am

  I have recently purchased a 2013 Kia Soul. So far I have no complaints. The car is gas efficient which is key for me. The interior is very nice as well. Its my first experience buying a brand new car. { I have only purchased used cars in the past } so I can totally say buying a new car is wonderful. As far as the car, I just love it.

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  Love, Love Love this car! - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By John - January 19 - 9:00 pm

  We bought this car under pressure. The old Nissan Quest was on its last legs (HATED that car!), and we needed something quick. We looked at the Dodge Grand Caravan and it wasnt all that. We looked at an 08 Sedona LX and really liked it, then we noticed a leftover 07 EX on the lot and took it for a drive. Immediate infatuation! I really love driving this car! Its comfortable, has all the features we wanted (but didnt think we could afford) and the price was right.

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  Hercules Unchained - 2001 Kia Spectra
  By Mr. GSX - January 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought this Spectra GSX in August of 2001, I received a strong rebate of $1500.00 cash back, along with a strong warranty, i.e., 100K or (10)yrs., this really eased my apprehension of purchasing a Korea Made Car. Now! The performance suits my liking, 125HP is sufficient for freeway driving. The 5sp manual works well for controlling the vehicle. The GSX Trim level gives an abundance of goodies to enjoy while you drive. Overall I have had very few problems, some shifter Buzz while in third gear, this was corrected with new parts after two visits to the Kia Dealer. After I drive another 50k in this car I will know if I have received my monies worth. I do enjoy this car.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2001 Kia Optima
  By pizzu - January 19 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased the Kia Optima (2001). Would have like a Honda Accord but saved myself about 6 grand by opting for the Kia. Its a lot of car for the money. Looks and feels like a luxury car. I feel I made a great choice. I would like to rate their Service Center as excellent. They took off some minor scratches, did oil change (minor things to get me and my 2001 on the road right away). All in all a very pleasant experience.

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  Love my kia - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Mac Daddy - January 19 - 10:00 am

  Best and only car I have ever owned

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  Kia Sportage - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Mac Daddy - January 19 - 10:00 am

  I love this car

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  The Best bang for the Buck!! Period! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By kiasorentolvr - January 17 - 10:56 am

  I bought my Sorento for my wife to take to work and drop my son off at school. It really suprised me how nice this truck is for the price!!She loves it and gets compliments on it all the time. I hesitated to buy an SUV (Ive always driven cars) but when I looked at the features: Wood grain, Leather, heated seats, Sunroof, auto Climate control and the sticker price I figured I couldent go wrong! It rides a little stiff because it is built like a truck (body on frame) but that is good because if my wife gets in an accident (heaven forbid) then I know she has a better chance of walking away. Not to mention the standard side curtain air bags that other SUVs dont even offer!

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  My happy Soul - 2012 Kia Soul
  By Debbie - January 16 - 5:20 pm

  This was by far the best choice we have ever made in a car. We looked at a Prius n other similar cars but we are a tall family n the Prius was too low in the back for my grandchildren n adult children. This car fits everyone well n is solidly built. (You can here it when you close the door.). I have a friend who has one n was hit from behind at a tremendous impact but the car took it n was able to be repaired without damage to its core frame. The body shop man was amazed n said that it took one h*ll of a hit but was ok. Really protected the riders that day. We have now owned this car almost 5 yrs and as our other vehicles "die" we will be visiting the Kia store to add more to our family.

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  Impressive.... - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By GREAT CAR!!! - January 16 - 1:23 pm

  I have never heard of the Rondo. I bought an 08 with a little more than 7,000 miles on it for $10,900.....bout 3,000.00 below book. I did a test drive....and LOVED it!! Its got lots of zip! Handles well! Lots of leg room. Very comfortable. Storage compartments are hidden in the back cargo area. Very quiet inside. I was/am VERY impressed with this car. Its got lots of compartments that are convenient in the front for the driver and passengers. I would recommend this car highly and I am so glad that I now own one.