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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  great van - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By T windham - June 1 - 6:43 pm

  Great van for the price. I like the room, the storage, and the overall fill when driving. We were able to get the DVD system, however I had to give up some of the other things I had in my other van (NOT A KIA).

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  why buy anything else!!!!!!! - 2013 Kia Forte
  By bmorelock - June 1 - 10:22 am

  This is the best car i have ever owned. I work for ford and this car puts the ford focus to shame i will never buy another ford again

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  I like my Kia - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By ds153 - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I think the KIA Spectra is a great driving vehicle. It has many good qualities, such as a sporty body style, interior has alot of leg room, and comfortable seating. I have the GSX Hatchback, which has extra trunk space. This car has alot of nice features and the reliability is near excellent, I would recommend this vehicle highly, and you cant go wrong with the excellent warranty and great price.

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  Best Car in 35 years - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By L. Tullar - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I have owned and driven hundreds of vehicles in 35 years of driving. I presently own a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado [150,000 miles], a Ford Taurus [100,000 miles], a Jeep Wrangler [80,000 mi, an XKE Jag [60,000 miles] and a 66 Austin Healey [57,000 miles]. This is the 1st vehicle that I have driven 20,000 miles without a single problem of any kind. The Chevrolet pickup was built like a tinker toy while the Sedona was built "like a rock." We have not had to return to the dealer for anything. I am so thrilled with the reliability of this vehicle that I am going to buy a Sorento this year. Chevrolet and Ford have a lot to learn from Kia.

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  What a deal - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By yuppietrucker - June 1 - 2:00 am

  We bought this SUV for a trip to CT in DEC. We did a side by side comp on the internet, and issues such as hip/shoulder room were a major factor. Then we went to test drive, and it was all we wanted and more. We dont drive vehicles hard, so our mpg is 18 city/21.5 Hwy. We are still finding out little features that are a pleasant surprise. The $$ savings are just icing on the cake.

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  Not Expected - 2010 Kia Soul
  By jbjtkbw00 - May 30 - 9:23 pm

  Ive had mine for just about 3 weeks now. I LOVE this car. Has about as much room as my Jeep Liberty does in the interior (seating wise). Comfortable seats and driving position. Handles nicely on the interstate and has a little punch to it when needed. The standard features on this model are fantastic. From the 315 watt stereo w/bluetooth to the sunroof and then 18" rims, my Molten (red) Soul garners a lot of attention and keeps them asking questions while at the pump. I havent gotten this much attention in a car since my Crossfire.

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  What a car - 2002 Kia Optima
  By NewKiaOwner - May 30 - 10:00 am

  I have had the Optima for almost a month and am daily impressed by it. The styling and sticker first caught my eye. The ride and performance keep me impressed. Even the 4-cyl LX has plenty of power and it rides like a luxury car. The CD stereo has great sound. The interior is spacious. And there are an endless list of features. I cannot believe I got this much car for so little.

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  Kia Crappia - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Jay Walker - May 30 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst car in the world, even worse than Jeeps. It gives the driver a poor feeling, and makes him wonder when itll break down again. All the features are the bare minimum in quality and it is the ugliest car in the world. Please, KIA, get rid of this car...it is terrible.

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  Good Bang for the Buck - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By tgbobbi - May 30 - 1:14 am

  We bought our Sorento in September and have 4K miles on it. We were impressed initially with the features that came standard and were won over by the options added that made it more affordable comparatively speaking to the Honda CR-V and Toyata Rav4. Power is a little something to be desired but not horrific by any standard for small 4 even when loaded with the family. The interior features are well designed except and the seats are comfortable and roomy in the front and spacious as well in the back. The biggest issue I would have is the noise and ride from the suspension. Ive heard that the newer versions have dampers and Ill chekc with my dealer concerning that. A great buy!

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  Uncomfortable Seats, Horrible Gas mileage, - 2014 Kia Sportage
  By t.turman@gmail.com - May 29 - 8:34 pm

  So paid cash for a Mustang GT that I bought from a friend, well spouse drove the thing one time and said it pulled to the left so took it to Ford and found out it had been totaled out by insurance company and it was on the Carfax, so spouse threw a fit and made me trade it in, had a choice between a 2010 Chevy Malibu which was a hell no and a 2014 Sportage, so took it I absolutely hate it. Seats are uncomfortable, they have no way to adjust lumbar support in lower back, the steering wheel doesnt come down enough so if you want to put your arms on the armrest you have to rotate which arm is driving. I got the same gas mileage in the Mustang that I get in this POS, It has no power to go, even turning the damn ECO off its like waiting for the hamster in the wheel to catch up...... I fill up at least twice a week, even if I take it easy and drive like a grandpa it just sucks. Unfortunately I am stuck in this damn thing for at least two years or unless someone runs a stoplight or stop sign and takes the whole front end off, which I hope for every time I get behind the wheel, I would get out and hug them afterwards and thank them. I think the only thing I like about it is the color and the height. Thats about it....