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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  100,000 miles with no problems - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Art Muriph - May 12 - 4:03 am

  We bought the Kia Sedona after having rented one while on vacation. Considered a Honda Odyssey at 30k but found a brand new 2006 left over for 16,700 a huge svings. We have driven the van daily and cross country for 2.5 years and put 100,000 miles on it without any problems. My only complaint was with the original tires that wore out at only 30k replaced them with goodyear assurance comford treat tires with a 80 k warantee and they are still going strong. The only service the van has seen is an walmart brand synthetic oil change every 7000 miles or so. I havent even had to do a brake job yet!!! I have had several hondas and I would say the kia is just as reliable for me.

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  i love my kia - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By dalec - May 11 - 12:23 pm

  i am in my 50s and my 2007 kia spectra ex is the best car i have ever had. purchased new in 07 now has 91000 miles and not one bit of trouble. still going strong. would i buy another kia. no doubt about. keep up the good work kia.

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  Fun To Drive - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Hilja - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Totally enjoy driving this vehicle. Very comfortable. Smooth ride...roomy backseat. Love the storage compartments that are located everywhere. Nice exterior style. I have the indigo blue with pewter for a color and have received many compliments on its look.

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  take a look at KIA - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By drcolor - May 11 - 2:00 am

  great suv.we had been driving a chevy blazer so we are accustomed to a truck ride.looks good,rides well.great design. lots of room.

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  No Complaints here - 2004 Kia Rio
  By TheDrake - May 10 - 8:50 am

  I bought my Rio in March of 2004 and I love it to bits. I have no complaints and I think I will always own a KIA. They have impressed me with there service and I love my car.

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  KIA is the brand to watch!!! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By karkonnoisseur - May 8 - 9:14 pm

  I have 374 miles on my Spicy Red KIA Optima SX T-GDI with premium/technology packages. This car not only draws constant stares and looks of admiration but I had someone at the Gas station who was driving a brand new BMW Xdrive 3 series coupe tell me he had to look twice because he couldnt believe the car was a KIA. Segment leading performance, styling, and value! Ive never felt so great about owning a new car. I traded in my 2009 Audi A5 for this car. I DO NOT regret it. I needed a sporty family car and KIA DID NOT disappoint!

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  Best Car Ive owned - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Jacob - May 7 - 1:20 pm

  Before this car I owned a 2007 Ford Focus. I had it for two years and decided I wanted something bigger. I went to the dealership just to price. Test drove the car and bought it on the spot. At first I thought that I had made a bad decision, after I had it for a few weeks I was glad I had bought it. The interior it awesome. Just dont like that lint sticks to the seats all the time. But besides that it is awesome. Was the best buy that I have ever made.

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  All the bells & more - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Art - May 7 - 1:43 am

  I have owned my Kia two years in Nov 2006, It is a 2005 EX-auto 4X4. It has so many options I havent found them all...3 garage door opener, compass and exterior temp. Great climate control AC and drove it a year before I discovered the lumbar adjustment for the power leather drivers seat. The 6 disc CD changer and sound system works flawlessly. It would have been outrageous if they had turbo charged the engine. It climbs steep N. Georgia mountain slopes but down shifts twice for more RPMs. It hugs the road in sharp high speed curves pretty well and the AWD kicks in without a hitch. All said, for the money ($27,000) less the power and 15-17 mpg, a full set discs at 12K miles, its a cool little machine.

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  Very Pleased, Fun to Drive - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Happy Camper - May 6 - 10:43 pm

  I bought my 2005 Spectra SX Feb. 2006, Ive been very pleased with this little car. Maintenance low. Everyone at the dealership is great. I am very pleased with the performance and looks of the car. I get a lot of comments how cute or cool it looks. I love this car. Its my third Kia. I would definitely buy another Kia.

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  Kia Rondo more than I expected - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Doug MacDonald - May 5 - 7:20 pm

  I wanted a retirement vehicle with good interior space, leg room and a comfortable ride. Researched the Rondo, test drove then ordered it. Just completed a 2500km trip through Rocky Mountains to Alberta, long hills no problem for V6 5 sp. auto trans. Very pleased with the Rondo.