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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  bad car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By furball - August 6 - 10:00 am

  We bought our spectra in january 2003.we have had nothing but problems with it this is the list of problems we have had.(the tires were bad, the sterio didnt work,paint is peeling,front seat broke,glovebox was broke,mirrors broke,gas tank recall,check engine light the car shakes when we get to a certain speed) There is No room in the car for any thing i would not buy another spectra.

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  KIA Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By runamukus - August 6 - 10:00 am

  So far so good (KNOCK ON WOOD) I am reading tons of negative about KIA after my purchase and that scares me. However, at 3K (not much) and not any problems. Rides nice, nice stadard equipment, enough get up and go power in traffic (not towing anything though) The dealers are not as nice after the purchase though and this is bothering me...

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  2011 Forte review - 2011 Kia Forte
  By txriverrat - August 6 - 4:47 am

  We went into the Kia dealership to purchase a Kia !Soul for my husband and walked out with two cars, a !Soul and a Forte. I was happy to trade in a Mazda3 that never lived up to my expectations. The Forte is my perfect car - its fun to drive, lots of pep!, stylish, and bluetooth is awesome. I plan to drive this car a very long time. The gas mileage isnt as good as I thought but on the other hand, I drive in city stop and go traffic, 15 miles to work and Im happy with 23 mpg. Dont change a thing about this car - Kia Forte is a homerun!

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  great car - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By gg - August 6 - 12:56 am

  Purchased it new. Have had 3 years. No problems! I even tow motorcycle with it. Love it!

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  my ne car - 2016 Kia Optima
  By kenneth johnson - August 5 - 10:06 am

  every thing

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  Worst vehicle have ever owned! - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Ryan - August 5 - 10:00 am

  Have owned the vehicle for 5 years and have had nothing but problems for 4. Back up sensors constantly malfunctioning, tires shot after hardly any miles, doors freeze shut all winter, AC has gone out twice, bushings replaced twice, ignition issues, too many problems to list. Is in the shop at least every two months. Shop plugs it into the computer, doesnt show code and they cant replicate the problem.

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  Surprised! - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By daviel - August 5 - 10:00 am

  Had it a week. What a car! Plenty space; power is OK; looks great. Feels very well built, tight. AC is good. Terrific looks and loaded. bluetooth, good stereo, smart key - start button. leather, two sunroofs. 18" black/chrome wheels. The auto 6 speed is very smooth.

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  Great little SUV for a small price - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Ray - August 5 - 1:06 am

  My wife needed a new car and wanted something with 4wd. So we test drove the Honda CR-V first. My wife thought it was OK but nothing special. I suggested that she should check out the Kia Sportage since my Kia Sedona has been so reliable. Se was reluctant to do it since she really didnt think that the Kia would be comparable to the CR-V. We test drove the car and were immediately impressed with the build quality, handling and quietness of the car. We bought the luxury package with leather, heated seats and an impressive stereo with subwoofer. My wife tells me every day how she loves this vehicle. She looks forward to her morning commute.

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  Love my new ride! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By A. Thomas - August 4 - 8:41 pm

  We dont have snow here so I can not comment on that. I can not seem to adjust the vent to the right of the driver set to my liking for some reason....It just always seems to blow right on me no matter what I do! Not enough of a left to right adjustment available I would guess. Cant speak on maintenance costs as yet and thats a good thing but the mileage seems to be lower than expected. According to the cars internal stats and the amount of times I go to the gas station per month, I am getting less mileage than my 2007 Toyota Camry and thats NOT a good thing! I will evaluate that more closely over the next few months.

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  Another satisfied customer - 2012 Kia Optima
  By hopleaf - August 3 - 8:07 pm

  Im coming from an Infiniti G35x and I couldnt be happier with the overall package the Optima offers. The features, style, performance, and value is unbeatable.