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 Car, But Drinks Gas - 2013 Kia Forte
  By tekwrek - March 17 - 8:01 am

  We are pleased with all of the features except the mileage. Based on Kias specs and Edmunds city/highway mileage calculator we expected mileage of 30 to 32 mpg. (The specs said 34+, but you never get that mileage.) However, we are averaging 26-27 mpg for primarily highway driving. Kia should have included the Forte in its fuel economy rating correction program and should have included Forte owners in its Vehicle Owners Compensation program. We have written to the company and EPA about the omission.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By rbthomes - March 16 - 6:36 am

  Excellent ride. Smart styling. Good fit and finish inside and out. Leather seats are firm and comfortable for a big driver. All the doors open wide.

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  Great SUV - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Daniel - March 16 - 5:56 am

  I purchased one of these fully loaded and we have loved it! We have 47,000 miles on it now and its been just great. It pulled our two pwcs with no issues and goes everywhere (on or off- road).

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  The Kia that kept on going... - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Satisfied Owner - March 15 - 10:03 pm

  We have owned this car for four years now, out of it we have had to take it to the shop 3 times in the last year. Thankfully the Bumper to Bumper waranty cover it. So far the struts had to be tightened, the driver side door lock regulator (I had to crawl out of the passenger side for days! LOL!) and I had to have the passenger window motor replaced because it was noisey. All of these have been minor repairs, we are finally nearing 50,000 miles and it has never let us down, stranded or anything to that affect. No one believes how fast this car can actually go, but on a trip to Georiga after we first got it, I got it up to 137 MPH and it handled very well. Better than my 98 Z28.

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  Great for City, No Gas Saver When Traveling - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Dieguex - March 15 - 11:26 am

  I bought this 5 speed manual model because most of the time I am driving in the city, great performance, handling, brakes etc. But when traveling the gas economy is very low, especially if you go between 55-80MPH, because the 5 speed is too short, the engine runs at 4K RPM when you are around 75 mph. That means no more than 24 MPG, same at the city. The rest is great.

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  Satified Mom - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Lynn Green - March 14 - 10:00 am

  Even though I just purchased the car. I thought that the ride was comfortable and it handled it self good on the road. It is a good car if you dont have a lot to spend but you want something reliable with a excellent warrenty.

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  Sorento - Buy It! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Mary Jo Howell - March 14 - 9:30 am

  This is the first SUV weve owned however many friends have owned one for years. The looks are great, ride is nice.Easy driving for teens is a plus. Still getting used to the gas consumption after driving toyotas (Celica & Camry) over the last several years however we are still pleased with 22-24 highway. Its been great thus far for traveling with ball players on the weekends for 1-3 hour trips. We wouldnt go back to taking a car on the weekend trips for anything.

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  Good Commuter Car - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Baunie - March 14 - 7:10 am

  This baby gets me back and forth to work with no problems. Takes $20 to fill up. It goes to 0 to 60 in five minutes, but once it is up to speed, it zips around. Just dont expect to get back up to speed if you have to suddenly brake. And dont dart out in front of traffic, you will be sorry. I did not buy it for luxury. I needed a car and this was affordable and has been reliable for the last two years. However, I think I am going to be out of luck on re-sale value.

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  Unhappy Owner in New York/Florida - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Sprinterny - March 12 - 7:43 am

  I have been very disappointed. The first week of ownership I needed two tows in Florida. I immediately purchased a new battery when stranded a second time. The seats are rock hard and the seat belt buckle cuts into my hip. Then car had some kind of transmission burning and needed a transmission replacement. I was first towed and paid $300 to recover my car. I have to drive 80 miles to the closest dealer in upstate NY. After waxing the car about 4 times in 2 years the exterior paint job is looking shabby.The car always stalls out.The replaced transmission hesitates for 4 seconds and then jerks. It gets a horrible 11 to 17 mpg. The tires need replacing at 27,000 mile. The brakes need work now

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  first car for daughter - 2011 Kia Soul
  By Joe C. - March 10 - 12:59 pm

  not the best mileage out there, but a safe, fun entry level car, never been in the shop except for service. Would buy another in a heartbeat!