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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  Good looking car for the money - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Denise Young - November 20 - 7:36 am

  This is our first cross over vehicle. When I friend suggested I take a peek at the Kias I thought not. But, I did and Im glad. I really like how the car looks. It has a sporty high end look that will appeal to most high end buyers. However, I think more attention should be given to the interior. The seats are not comfertable and as another reviewer stated the console is hard! Its also a little sluggish when changing gears. Its also easy to engage the blue tooth on the steering wheel. Overall a good car. I think Kia will tweak the 2012s and that will be the one.

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  Good car - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Stillalive - November 19 - 10:00 am

  This was a great mid$ car. Was totaled in crash, and all crumple zones and air bags saved me! Never had any issues with this car. Owned it from 47k to 74k miles. Btw, I paid $9500, and after 14 months, ins paid $8300. Book value went UP even with 27k more miles on it. Avg. 24 mpg mostly freeway. For you gear heads, there is about a 1400 rpm drop between gears. 3800 rpm in 5th gets you about 72 mph on flats. Youll need to drop 1 on hills. Great car for the $.

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  Great Around Town OR Highway Car! - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By gmhummer03 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  If you are looking for Point A to B travel. This car will do it for you. The A/C will freeze you. The Radio / CD player will knock your socks off. Transmission shifts like a sports car. AND it looks sporty!

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  "Engine Light" - 2001 Kia Optima
  By geomar32 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I have problems with the front passenger window with slow operation {electrical}. Regulator has been replaced, but still is slow going up ,12 seconds compared to others at 5 secoonds. The other problem is the "Engine LightHas come "on" 5 times in the last 6 months. Computer results are gross leak evap system. corrective action was "inspect evap lines & clear code #522 & road tested OK.

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  so far, so good - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By new_he - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought mine with the leather, moonroof, homelink and ABS options for 22,400. I probably could have got it for less if I had started the negotiating at a lower price, because the salesman sold it to me almost right away. The NBC Dateline report on the Insurance Institutes crash test results are a little troubling, but I believe those are only used to test the cost of the damage to the car, and do not conflict with the governments 5-star crash ratings. But I am worried that the report will result in increased insurance costs. Friends and neighbors who have looked at it have all been impressed. I would recommend it to anyone looking to buy a van

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  Decent car - 2007 Kia Optima
  By carcrayy - November 11 - 6:53 pm

  My mom has one she got it 5 years ago Its a 2007 mod and had 40,000 miles on it. not it has roughly 108k miles on it. Now for the past week, its been having trouble starting, once it took me 3 times to start it up but its been a good car. We havent had any real serious problems with it, never had to replace a head gasket or trans. just simple things that are needed with every car, brakes, tires, oil etc. weve had a lot of problems with the lights blowing front and back. but I dont know if it had been wrecked before we got it or if its just the tires but it pulls to the right and after we got new tires it pulled even harder, but other than that its a great little car, has a lot of room

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  Used 2005 Kia Sportage - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By angel_machine - November 11 - 7:29 am

  My husband and I just purchased a 2005 Kia Sportage, pre-owned, with 135k miles, due to our limited budget. The Carfax didnt list any maintenance, and the test-drive and subsequent independent pre-purchase inspection confirmed that there were problems. The timing belt system had not been replaced at 100k miles, the battery was original (and died right after purchase), and the A/C was non-functional. We were able to knock off a lot from the price due to all the work that needed to be done (most of it simply maintenance that was put off, not true issues). A/C problem due to climate control module and is being replaced. Hoping we dont regret this purchase.

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  The Soul of Seoul - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Chris - November 9 - 11:46 am

  I recently traded my Kia Amanti in on a new Soul+. Although I had tears in my eyes having to leave the Amanti behind (I really did. Not too macho I know), I was happy to be driving home in something that both my wife and kids approved of. Thus far, it has been nothing but fun to drive. It does not have much power but it is after all a 4 cylinder. Great on gas and roomy. I am 64" and was surprised at all the room in the interior. Very sporty and nice. Kia does it again!

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  Unique and Functional - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By datsunguy - November 9 - 4:23 am

  Great car alternative to larger van or SUV. We wanted something we could occasionally haul more than 5 people in, and this is perfect. I am 61" and can comfortably fit in the third row for short trips. We seriously explored purchasing a Canadian model, as they have power driver seat, trip computer and auto climate control. Dont misinterpret the long list of suggested improvements - I love this car and would buy again, but these are things to look at when you are thinking of buying. I am glad I got the 2007 model, as 2008 deleted a few key features. I havent heard the base level stereo, but I am not sure that the upgrade stereo was worth the cost. I also was expecting better MPG.

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  Stylish but electrical night mare - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Happy but nervous.. - November 8 - 2:36 pm

  I bought this car at a reasonable price. The Interior and Exterior are both in great condition and I love the way it rides and all the bells and whistles. BUT, the power locks LOCKED ME IN MY CAR!!!! I cant lock the doors with the switch inside I must ride with the car unlocked. Not a good selling point. Otherwise I love it but who wants to climb out of the passanger side????? This is a major issue that Im hoping wont cost very much to fix.! KIA please note this problem so future owners wont go through this not to mention how dangerous being locked in your car COULD BE!