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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  Squeeky brakes - 2001 Kia Optima
  By C Johnson - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought a used 2001 optima about 6 months ago. The brakes wont stop squeeking, even after new brake pads. The seats are not very comfortable. The starter feels like it is going out. The door lock keeps jamming. Poor gas mileage. Stiff suspension.

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  Great Car - 2003 Kia Rio
  By GreatPiggo - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, it runs smoothly and is very comfortable. For a mere ten grand this car cannot be beat. I have never had any problems with it except for when the brakes stopped working on the highway, but it was easily fixed. This car is surprisingly powerful and fast and turning corners at high speeds is glorious, it handles SO well. I reccomend this to car to anyone looking for affordable transportation.

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  My vans better than your van! - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By mysedona - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Cant believe that anyone would pay more money for a Chrysler, Honda, or Ford minivan.Have had my Kia since July, put on over 6,000 miles.My friends who drive Lexuses are envious! Drives like a dream, very pwrfl A/C and heater.Great sndsystm, very comfy seats etc.The Kia didnt offer a DVD systm at time I bought mine.For about $1200 we had screens inst. in the headrests, a dvd player inst. under the driver seat, cordless headsets for the back put in using infrared sensor.I can control the systm from the front with our hand- held cntrl.We get the luxury of driving a Kia, having a sunroof, and a dvd system and I paid less than I could of with any other minivan!

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  Best Van For The Money - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By bonnie - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Its everything the research says. It lacks a few of the gadgets that the more upmarket minivans have, but it has everything you truly need. The engine is remarkably smooth, the ride very good, the build quality much nicer than expected. And you simply cannot top the warranty! I dont know why anyone would buy anything else.

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  heck of a buy - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By kert - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I am extremely pleased and impressed with our sorento ex luxury package. For 10 to 12k less than similiar looking vehicles I can give up the independent suspension. The construction is extremely good. Only problem at time of delievery was a light out in the ash tray. Its a great buy and your must drive it.

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  06 Sportage Review - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By T Wilson - January 3 - 3:06 pm

  Got my Sportage one month ago and we are very happy with it to date. Plenty of cargo space and great sound from the speakers. V6 has plenty of pick up and is very quiet on the highway. Wish it got a little better mileage, but we feel very safe with all the airbags. Driver sits high with good forward visibility. Mirrors are large and the instrument panel is perfectly centered. Dash ergonomics are very good. The cruise control is very easy to use. The wipers are quiet and well placed. Headlights are bright and bright lights are blinding. My wife has an Accord, but wants to drive the Sportage whenever she can get it from me.

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  Excellent but still a way to perfection - 2009 Kia Amanti
  By CD Kim - January 3 - 11:56 am

  Nice and excellent car for a price. Driving comfort is outstanding. Cornering is yet to be perfect, though. Fuel economy just for the perception is less satisfactory. Overall it is very good for the price especially with the diverse features of functions. The interior design is also excellent.

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  Really Fun To Drive - 2012 Kia Optima
  By mswhitfield - January 3 - 4:31 am

  2.5mths and almost 3k miles, I am still enjoying my Spicy Red Optima. (Midlife crisis? Maybe) After over 7yrs in a Chevy Equinox, off the showroom floor, that I soon came to loathe, thats an understatement. I had a Lexus in mind, but the SX blew me away. Kia has come a long way from their buy one get one free days.

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  Excellent Car... - 2010 Kia Forte
  By jmp2010 - January 3 - 2:46 am

  I traded a 1997 Ram 4wd i have had for 6 years for this car. Obviously the gas mileage was the problem with my truck. Over the course of 3 days i drove a total of 27 different vehicles. I came to my kia dealership with the sole intention of a used car. My salesman gave me the keys to a new 2011 Forte Ex and said drive it like you stole it lol. I was so impressed with the car i signed papers 30 minutes later. My car was slightly used as a low mileage lease to the Kia manufacturing plant a few miles from my home. Its primary function was a carpool car. It was perfectly maintained and had 3400 miles on it. It now has a little over 29000 on it and not even the slightest hint of a problem.

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  NICE CAR FOR THE MONEY - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By LWC - January 2 - 10:00 am

  GREAT CAR FOR THE MONEY GREAT ON GAS HAS A LOT OF PICK UP FUN TO DRIVE VERY COMFORABLE TO DRIVE AND RIDE ITS A FUN CAR