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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  2005 Kia Spectra5 - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Josh - December 19 - 11:16 am

  Thoroughly impressed with the build of this vehicle. Very fun to drive. After researching all of the cars in the class, the Spectra5 definately has the most for your money. Stereo is mediocre, and the engine could benefit from a bump in horsepower, but everything else is great.

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  a nice Touring car - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By cottonwoodkoi - December 18 - 8:08 pm

  I bought an Lx, fwd, with all the toys.. just so that people understand that there is a large difference between the lx base and one that costs 10000 more. The suv is smooth and quite. no wind noise, little road. previous was was a 2007 cr-v, that had lots of road/wind noise.What a difference.I cn hear the music on low volume .4 cylinder engine has no problems going up steep hills and is showing 26.5 mpg verses the CR-Vs 28.

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  best around!!! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By paul - December 17 - 6:24 pm

  Absolutely love this vehicle, did a lot of research, drove a lot of cars,this IS the small SUV to have, makes my commute so much better, base engine could be a little more powerful,but is more than adequate,has everything. Zero complaint s, I love it.

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  best purchase ever 4x4 8cyl. EX Limited - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By timotheo - December 17 - 4:33 pm

  I was considering an Explorer or 4Runner. The first car has failed everything: price, reliability, comfort handling etc. 4Runner limited is... didnt want to pay for another mortgage. Kia Borrego EX Limited has everything but listed at a great price. After research (and tons of positive reviews) I(63") test drove it and was amazed at the vehicle. I have the 8 cyl. It has great turning radius, power, rides smooth, size, comfortable heated seating for 6 or 7, 7,500 towing capacity, BMW transmission & other tons of bells and whistles. I drove it for over 3K with no problems by now. I think the Borrego is a great car for the price. Mileage is 16.7 mpg combined avg but I donÂ’t drive HW much.

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  Great Van - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By TEC - December 17 - 1:40 am

  We shopped for two months and tried all makes of vans. After driving the Kia we were sold. I liked the Honda but comparably equipped it was 7000 dollars more and they drove identical-- actually I thought the Kia was more comfortable. I have not had to return to the dealer for any factory defects. I have back trouble and what amazes me is my ability to drive long distances without getting the back ache like other vans Ive owned. Anyone shopping for a van would do them selves an injustice to not consider the Kia. I get 19 mpg around town and up to 23 on the highway.

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  Currently have 7500 miles driven and I love it! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By kthibodeau1 - December 11 - 4:17 am

  Bottom Line: This is an attractive fun car that is affordable. I have always been a Toyota driver because of their reliability. Well Im 28 and wanted to get a little more than the basic corolla. The corolla S is a joke! It has no added performance features so it was time to look elsewhere. My target was a Civic SI but it just cost too much. I test drove the Forte and fell in love. The manual transmission is a little touchy but with a little practice its easy to get used to. I love this car and if you give it a try you will too! Note: I gave the car a reliability rating of 5 because of the 100,000 warranty and free roadside assistance for 5 years.

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  Fantastic car for ANY price - 2007 Kia Amanti
  By Matthew - December 9 - 11:00 pm

  This car replaces a well-loved 1994 Mercedes C280, so I have to admit I was skeptical at first about buying a Kia. I didnt think anything could compete with my beloved Mercedes. Boy was I wrong! The first thing you notice about the car is its unique look. Too many cars today look exactly alike and Ive learned that if a car is streamlined, thats code for BORING. The looks may not be for everyone, but theyre definitely not boring... The fit and finish are superb, interior design tasteful and it has a smooth powerplant. As for fun to drive, it may not appeal to a 20-something bachelor, but for someone approaching 40 with a family, its very comfortable.

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  KIA SORENTO 5 SPEED - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By ANNY - December 9 - 2:00 am

  DURING MY BRIEF OWNERSHIP I FEEL THE FIT & FINISH IS EXCELLENT. IT IS VERY MANEUVERABLE, RESPONSIVE AND FUN TO DRIVE. I HAVE THE BASIC LX MODEL WITH THE 5-SPEED, AND EVEN AT THIS LEVEL THE VEHICLE IS WELL EQUIPPED AND THE INTERIOR IS WELL THOUGHT OUT.THE CLEAN AND UNDERSTATED STYLING OF THE LX APPEALS TO MY PERSONAL TASTES.

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  Trouble free - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By underdog - December 8 - 10:00 am

  I have 45000 miles on my little red 4x and have had no problems.Towed it to Alaska and use it for freeway driving.It is very noisy under the hood.Mostly belts and pulleys.Seats are firm but comfortable.Still have original tires and look good yet.Will go to larger tires next time.Velcro fastenes used to secure roof are getting a little loose.Its been a good car.Still looks like new.

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  Love My 2005 Sportage - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Debbie - December 7 - 6:46 am

  Ive had my new 2005 KIA Sportage less than one week and I am very impressed with the roomy and very comfortable interior. Standard safety features and the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty were major factors in my decision to purchase this SUV. Standard features included traction and stability control as well as side curtain airbags for driver and passenger. The rear seats recline and fold down easily. The overall quality of this vehicle is very good.