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 our new Sedona! - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By wleslie - May 24 - 4:26 am

  We just traded in our 04 Sedona for a loaded 06 Sedona and we love it.

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  My first KIA - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By tig2002 - May 23 - 4:44 pm

  This is my first KIA out of 14 other cars I owned in the past and I am very impressed. My 4-cylinder AWD Sorento LX gets the best gas mileage in area with altitude of 4,300 feet out of any SUV I owned in the past – 24.3MPG in mixed 50% city/50% highway driving without even breaking the 5K barrier. I am also impressed with is the built quality and quality of materials, both interior and exterior. The ride is a little stiff but soft (no rattles or squeaks), which makes this SUV let you feel it and handle better. The interior is designed very well. I am not so much impressed with looks of the exterior but I don’t really care whether I get compliments. Test drive it and you will be thrilled.

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  Value for Money - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By Tony G - May 21 - 7:16 am

  I researched many cars offering similar amenities. The KIA appeared to offer better features for the lowest price. I was not disappointed, it has great features and is very well built. While not a powerhouse the engine offers sufficient power for highway driving. The seating layout and flexibility is well done providing real flatbed storage. The transmission is smooth. I wish that KIA offered a larger tyre option, but it is not a major flaw. The finish and engineering are of high quality. The entertainment system, bluetooth and component inputs make offer more luxury features than are found on many prestige cars. I was surprised and disappointed to find an ashtray, GPS space would be better.

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  Amazing Car! Worth every penny! - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Marjorie - May 19 - 12:23 pm

  Ive owned Hondas, Camrys, and other trendy cars in the past, but this is by far the best in terms of safety, price, and smooth riding. I love this car! Too bad people think its a cheap car b/c of the name brand, but its very reliable, rides smoothly, very safe 5 star-crash safety testing, 6 airbags, double safety bars on doors, etc. This car is by far better than any Honda, Camry, or Nissan in terms of gas mileage, price, warranty and safety. I highly recommend it to anyone buying a new car. You cant beat the warranty. I got free oil changes for 80K miles:)

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  Thats a Kia? - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Dave5928 - May 19 - 4:36 am

  If I had a nickel for every time I heard that question! I just bought this car a week ago and already have 600 miles. The computer indicates my average MPG is 27. The car is just very well-built. Nothing squeaks, rattles or looks out of place. The fit and finish is first class. It doesnt feel like a cheap car. It is the real deal. I dont know how they pack that much value into such a (relatively) low sticker price. Kia made it easy to choose this car. They didnt hold back all the goodies and spent the time and money to make this car more than pretty. I didnt think I was entitled to this much car for so little money.

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  2012 Kia Soul + - 2012 Kia Soul
  By jimrn - May 18 - 4:10 pm

  I bought the 2012 Kia Soul + with audio package a week ago. I have put on almost 500 miles so far and am loving it. I do a lot of open road driving and average about 34.5 MPG. It is quiet and comfortable on the road. The backup camera is great, and love the UVO system!

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  First car in 40 years - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By jharrelson - May 18 - 6:40 am

  So Far So Good, averages 28/30 mpg in town, has quick response with good acceleration. IÂ’m amazed at roominess. At 6 ft and 200+ pounds, I am very comfortable with lots of head room to wear my Stetson when driving. Back seat is large and roomy, passengers can stretch out their legs and relax even with front seats slid back all the way. The one thing that convinced me to get the Kia was the number of Air Bags in it so in an accident, driver and all passengers are surrounded by air bags. Traded 1993 truck and got 2007 Kia for $7000.00 and monthly payments of $150.00

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  Kia Spectra - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By cynthia - May 18 - 4:36 am

  Cute car, good gas mileage, fun. I really love this car, the basic features are great! We bought 2 of them at once. The Spectra wouldve gotten 10s all the way down if they wouldnt have charged us six-thousand over market value each.

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  Awesome car! - 2010 Kia Optima
  By Riya - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I have only had this car for about 2 months but so far so good. This is my second Kia, my previous Kia was an 06 Sorento, Kia is definitely stepping their game up. I chose this car over a new Honda Accord because Kia offers more bang for the buck. For less than the price of the Honda I got a touch screen system w/ nav and satellite radio, sunroof, ipod connection, and heated seats. This is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned and the gas mileage is decent also. The warranty is also awesome. I love my new car!

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  Who would have known? - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By dezcars - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the EX FULLY LOADED AWD version. With every conceivable option it still only came to $30,065. The Orange color is eye popping, went to Niagara Falls and back from Syracuse NY and got 29.4 mpg with only 700 miles on the odometer. The hidden tray in the back wasnt in any of the vehicles on the lot so the dealership ordered it for me. Since its supposed to be in the vehicles as standard equipment, I got it for free. I bought the optional 10 year 100K bumper to bumper warranty and looking over what it covers its worth every penny. I was looking at all types of vehicles for my wife, she spotted this as it came off the truck. Its an outstanding vehicle. Youll love it. KIA? You Bet!