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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  2010 Kia + - 2010 Kia Soul
  By 1st Kia - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Just bought the Soul +, Its my first Kia. I Love this car it has everything I wanted as far as the Bluetooth, built in ipod connection, satellite. Love the exterior look and it is fun to drive. For all the options available and warranty its a great deal.

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  Bad Service - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By richiegirl - June 23 - 12:30 am

  I purchased my 2008 KIA Sportage EX just over 2 months ago. My vehicle was sitting in the parking lot at work against a wall with the window down and sunroof open I ran down 2 blocks to get lunch parked back against the wall and left 2 hrs later. When I returned to my vehicle my front windshield was broken not just a small crack. I contacted the dealership took the car in and was told they would replace under warranty. I had to go out of town so I made arrangements to call them when I returned, upon my return I was told they had changed their mind and I would have to pay for the windshield to be replaced.I had it checked by a glass company and it is a pressure break not damage from impact.

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  Bang For Your Buck - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By Francie - June 22 - 1:06 pm

  Just purchased and so far love it. Never thought that I would own a vehicle without an American emblem on the front- felt a little guilty! I have had 3 Explorers in a row. However, a few days of driving it through a foot of snow up and down our mountainous driveway took care of that. I live in the mountains of WV(some people still need a real 4-wheel drive) Has good pick-up, smooth ride, and oh so roomy. I did not choose it for the gas mileage,as I am 2 miles from work. Tried to buy a Traverse- way out of line on pricing, for what you get-did not compare to the amenities that I got on the Borrego-esp.leather seat pkg.

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  GREAT CAR - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Peggy - June 21 - 1:50 pm

  I have been a Toyota driver for many years. My last car was a Corolla, which I drove to its dying day. However, during my research while buying a new car the warranty on a KIA was 100,000 miles/10 years. Once I went to the dealership and test drove one I couldnt believe how it felt. It is great. It drives like the Corolla, and looks kinda like it. For the price I couldnt go wrong. The standard equipment on this car is great. I keep my cars until they die and I know this one will be with me for many years.

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  The Perfect Car - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Happy Owner - June 21 - 4:13 am

  Wonderful car. Nothing but reliable. The only thing that could be better would be gas mileage, but this car is wonderful. Very reliable. Gets good mileage on highway. Absolutely love it. Only real problem is the trunk is super heavy to open. Worse in winter. Sleek beautiful. This car has the exact same interior and exterior as Toyota Avalon and the competing Honda. I dont know why Kia isnt outselling Toyota. You will not regret buying this car.

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  Right choice for us! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Patience - June 21 - 3:40 am

  We were owners of a Kia Sportage. We loved it, but really needed something bigger. We simply LOVE this car. It is very classy looking and reliable. It is a great value for what you get! We never had any problems with warranty work on the Sportage, and the same has been true for the Sorento. We are very happy Kia owners! When we first bought the Sportage in 99... everyone wanted to know what it was! Nobody had even heard of Kia at the time! :-) My only regret is the lack of third row seats.

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  i hate it - 2001 Kia Rio
  By jba - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I have had many troubles since i had purchased this car. It has been in the shop a dozen times.Its great on gas but not very roomy . The price was right at the time or so I had thought but i would have never bought this car if i knew then what I know now.

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  2004 optima - 2004 Kia Optima
  By aqeelz - June 19 - 2:00 am

  just got a 2004 optima after driving a 2000 sephia for three years it is qutie a improvement power,confornt,control,

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  Sorento - Great Buy - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Allan - June 19 - 2:00 am

  We love this vehicle. The value for the money is extraordinary when compared to ANY similar make. We looked at numerous other 4x4 SUVs - nothing came close to Sorento for the money. The next best vehicle (with almost identical options) was priced almost $2,500 above the Sorento. Kias quality has certainly improved and the fit and finish is nothing short of excellent. As far as "real" off road capability, only the Jeep models and the Kia Sorento are listed by a major off road magazine as having this "real" capability. I would highly recommend the Kia Sorento to anyone who wants the best car for the least money.

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  Love it! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Chris - June 18 - 10:03 am

  I traded in my Chrysler 300C (yes, the Hemi) for my Sportage because I wanted to pay less money and needed a car that conquers Clevelands snowy winters. I knew I would be tacking on some negative equity but received minimal with the Kia. Almost bought a new, unsold 2004 4X4 Hyundai Sante FE, but it had this subtle whistling whine at highway speeds. I LOVE my Kia! It drives like a car, the stereo is fantastic, the wind noise is mininmal with the sunroof open and it accelerates quickly and very smooth (apples & oranges comparing acceleration with my Hemi). I cant wait to drive the AWD in the snow with confidence. The rear seats fold flat and the rear legroom is very generous.